Benefits Manager

South Middlesex Opportunity Council • Framingham, MA

57d • $65,000 - $70,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Responsible for managing, administering and communicating the agency's benefit programs including, but not limited to 403(b), medical and dental, health reimbursement accounts, COBRA, flexible spending accounts, long-term disability, group term life insurance, voluntary plans, tuition programs, and vacation and sick programs. This position will manage workers' compensation, leave of absences, open enrollment periods and will be an active participant in the 403(b) committee. Will act as a help desk for benefits questions.

Requirements

• Associate's degree or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 3 years in administrative capacity, benefits processing preferred.
• Proven computer and data entry skills. Working knowledge of MS Office, a must.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality required.
• Proven organizational skills and strong attention to detail.
• Excellent customer service skills and external vendor interface.
• Must be comfortable with public speaking.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to function well in a high-paced department and be able to multi-task.
• Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English

Nice To Haves

• Multi-lingual helpful.

Responsibilities

• Provide benefits counseling to all eligible employees with regard to health & welfare benefits, as well as, worker's compensation and leaves. Work with vendors to resolve issues.
• Assist eligible employees with the benefits enrollment and disenrollment processes, and beneficiaries.
• Perform benefits orientation.
• Perform exit interviews with regard to benefits.
• Verify accuracy of benefit forms and submitted to HR in a timely manner for processing. Input information into and maintain appropriate benefits data bases. Ensure all systems are in sync including Payroll, HR and vendor sites.
• Timely review, audit and processing of all billing and payments to ensure agency is appropriately charged and/or credited as they relate to agency benefits.
• Work with vendors to ensure summary plan descriptions and plan documents are updated in a timely manner, as changes occur.
• Oversee the process for employee restrictions and accommodations, according to the ADA regulations.
• Manage and process worker's compensation claims, and follow-up as needed with employee and WC provider and participate in annual worker's comp evaluations. Create WC Cert's, as needed.
• Maintain OSHA Log and complete annual OSHA posting report, and other reporting as requested.
• Communicate effectively with all benefit providers regarding agency and employee participation, status, problems, legality or areas of concerns.
• Manage and maintain compliance of all agency benefit plans and ensure proper federal and/or state reporting requirements are met, including all 5500 filings, audits and compliance reports required for benefit plans.
• Participation in the 403(b) committee, work with the Voya account manager and representative for any plan issues or questions, annual audit, and compliance reporting, and prep for quarterly and annual meetings.
• Remain up to date on all changes, revisions, and other benefit provider notifications concerning administration of agency benefits. Assist with developing communication plans and implementing changes to the agency.
• Work closely with HR team and payroll manager to ensure timeliness and accuracy in processing benefit forms.
• Assist with rate negotiations and vendor meetings during renewal process.
• Manage and oversee the Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance, including eligibility and reporting.
• Schedule and prepare materials for all applicable benefits enrollment meetings (annual open enrollment meetings, orientations, new benefit notification, etc.).
• Maintain updated materials on all benefits offered by the agency.
• Create employee benefit files and maintain all employee benefit files.
• Manage, coordinate and process all leave related activities from initial notice to return-to-work. Follow up with employees, as needed to maintain compliance in accordance with Federal/State laws including agency policies.
• Manage reduced schedules and intermittent leave usage effectively.
• Determine if leaves qualify under FMLA, PFML or other laws and designate leaves appropriately.
• Work closely with HR, payroll, managers, and staffing to manage leave absences, and track usage.
• Assist with referrals to the Agency's Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Assist in other areas of the Human Resources function, as needed.
• Participate in committee meetings, as requested.
• Engage all clients by understanding and addressing their needs whether within or outside the scope of work.
• Attend ∂icipate in engagement team meetings as requested and communicate effectively with clients and staff in other areas.
• Maintain confidentiality of client, employee and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and funder requirements.
• Ensure compliance with program/department, agency and/or funder requirements, as well as, SMOC policies & procedures.
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: All full-time employees can accrue up to 3 weeks of vacation, and 2 weeks of sick time and are eligible for 12 paid holidays during their first year of employment.
• Employer-paid Life Insurance & AD&D and Long-Term Disability for full-time employees.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical Plans through Mass General Brigham with an HRA Employer cost-sharing program, Dental Plans with Orthodontic Coverage, and EyeMed Vision Insurance available to full-time employees.
• 403(B) Retirement Plan with a company match starting on day one for all full-time and part-time employees.
• Additional voluntary benefits including; Term and Whole Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital indemnity, and Short-Term Disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees