Benefits & Leave Specialist

BuildASign•Austin, TX

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Benefits & Leave Specialist administers employee health and welfare benefits programs, coordinates annual open enrollment, and manages leaves of absence, workplace accommodations, and workers’ compensation claims for BuildASign’s manufacturing facility and office teams. The specialist advises employees and managers on benefits, leave policies, and applicable employment laws, and ensures programs are administered accurately, promptly, and compliantly. This role also supports HR operations by maintaining confidential records, processing HR transactions, and identifying opportunities to improve processes, communications, and the employee experience. The position is primarily in person, with flexibility to work from home one day per week.

Requirements

At least 2 years of Human Resources experience focused on benefits administration, leave management, and/or workers’ compensation.
Experience administering employee health and welfare benefits programs, including coordinating annual open enrollment.
Working knowledge of benefits compliance requirements, including COBRA, ACA, and HIPAA.
Experience administering FMLA, ADA accommodations, and workers’ compensation claims.
Experience working with benefits brokers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators.
Experience with HRIS and benefits administration systems.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong customer service orientation and ability to collaborate with others.
Proficiency in Excel and Google Workspace.
Strong working knowledge of employee benefits, FMLA, ADA, workers’ compensation, and applicable employment laws.
Ability to communicate complex benefits and leave information clearly to employees and managers.
Strong multitasking, administrative, prioritization, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with exceptional attention to detail.
Ability to handle sensitive employee situations with empathy, professionalism, sound judgment, and confidentiality.
Proactive deadline management, case tracking, and timely follow-up.

Nice To Haves

A degree in Human Resources or a related field.
Experience in a manufacturing environment and/or supporting a nonexempt employee population.
Experience with ADP Workforce Now.
Spanish fluency.

Responsibilities

Administer health and welfare benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and other company-sponsored benefits.
Coordinate annual open enrollment, including communications, enrollment materials, educational sessions, system updates, and employee support.
Administer the 401(k) plan, including eligibility, enrollment, contribution coordination, vendor management, compliance activities, and employee support.
Serve as a primary contact for employee questions about benefits eligibility, enrollment, qualifying life events, coverage, and claims concerns.
Work with benefits brokers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators to resolve issues and support benefits administration.
Process and audit benefit enrollments, employee changes, and terminations; coordinate with Payroll on accurate deductions and records.
Review, reconcile, and process benefits invoices, ensuring accurate billing and timely payments and resolving discrepancies.
Support benefits compliance, including COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, ERISA, and other applicable requirements.
Identify opportunities to improve benefits programs, processes, employee communications, and the benefits experience.
Administer FMLA, ADA accommodations, and other leaves in compliance with applicable laws and company policies.
Advise employees and managers on leave requests, eligibility, documentation, accommodations, and return-to-work processes.
Facilitate the ADA interactive process and work with employees and managers to evaluate requests and identify reasonable accommodations.
Track and maintain leave records, including eligibility, leave balances, certifications, communications, and return-to-work status.
Coordinate return-to-work processes, including medical documentation, work restrictions, and necessary accommodations.
Partner with HR and managers to apply leave policies consistently and appropriately handle attendance matters involving protected leave.
Manage workers’ compensation claims, including injury reporting, insurer coordination, claim tracking, and return-to-work planning.
Partner with Manufacturing leadership and Safety teams on workplace injuries, modified-duty assignments, and applicable OSHA reporting.
Monitor claims, work restrictions, and return-to-work progress; maintain accurate workers’ compensation documentation and improve claims processes.
Maintain accurate and confidential records across benefits, leave, accommodation, and workers’ compensation activities.
Process benefits- and leave-related HR transactions promptly and update employee records and systems accurately.
Identify trends and opportunities to improve HR policies, processes, programs, and initiatives.
Assist with HR projects, employee education, benefits communications, and process improvement.