Benefits Specialist II

Summit Fire Protection•Mendota Heights, MN

9h•Onsite

About The Position

The Benefits Specialist II, in partnership with the Benefits Manager, is responsible for the administration of all benefits and retirement programs, including medical, dental, vision, ancillary, and 401(k) plan. This role involves daily processing of enrollments, COBRA, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, accident and death claims, rollovers, QDROs, QMCSOs, distributions, loans, hardships, and compliance testing for all locations. The specialist will respond to employee inquiries, maintain compliance with regulations like HIPAA, FMLA, COBRA, and ERISA, and support the design and development of the company's 401(k) retirement program. Additionally, this position supports mergers & acquisitions by performing benefits comparisons and orientations, ensures compliance with government regulations (e.g., 5500s, NDTs, ACA), leads enhancements to benefits programs and HCM system configuration, analyzes data, and maintains electronic employee benefits files and group benefits databases. Monthly reconciliation of benefit plans and weekly reconciliation of 401(k) deferrals and employer match deposits are also key responsibilities. The role assists in identifying new regulatory compliance matters, configures plan designs in the HCM system, aids in the annual Open Enrollment process, and undertakes ad hoc projects to optimize plan and system effectiveness.

Requirements

High School diploma/ GED, required.
5 years minimum experience in employee benefits with an emphasis on 401(k) retirement plans.
Extensive knowledge of all benefit related regulations (ERISA, FMLA, USERRA, COBRA, HIPAA, Secure Act) and health, welfare and retirement benefit programs required.
Highly proficient in Excel including pivot tables, V-lookups, etc.
Must have the ability to effectively read, write and communicate in English with employees and customers.
Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
Understanding of basic administrative procedures.
Work effectively as a collaborator.
Ability to multi-task.
Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbal.
Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record required.
Must be able to comply with Summit’s Drug and Alcohol policy and Background screening requirements, which may also include customer specific requirements based on contractual agreement.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, or related field preferred.
Knowledge of state-specific paid family and medical leave laws preferred.
Proficiency with Oracle Cloud HCM benefits administration strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Daily benefits processing including enrollments, COBRA, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, accident and death claims, rollovers, QDROs, QMCSOs, distributions, loans, hardships and compliance testing for all locations.
Respond to employee benefits inquiries via phone, email, and HCM ticketing system.
Maintain/oversee compliance with company policies, state and federal regulations such as HIPAA, FMLA, COBRA, and ERISA.
Support plan design and development of company’s 401(k) retirement program.
Support company's mergers & acquisitions efforts by performing benefits comparison and presenting benefits orientation to newly acquired employees.
Ensure compliance with applicable government regulations, including, but not limited to required annual reporting (5500s, NDTs, ACA).
Lead ongoing enhancements to benefits programs and HCM system configuration to scale with organizational growth.
Analyze results, interpret data and summarize findings and implications using PowerPoint, Word, Excel (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables) and other written communication formats.
Maintenance of electronic employee benefits files, maintain group benefits database and update employee records accordingly.
Perform monthly reconciliation on all benefit plans to ensure proper coverage and billing.
Perform weekly reconciliation on 401(k) deferrals and employer match deposits.
Partner with the Benefits Manager to complete the 401(k) annual auditing process.
Assists in identifying new, emerging regulatory compliance matters.
Configure plan designs in HCM system and assist in annual Open Enrollment process.
Ad hoc projects as required, assigned, or requested to continue optimizing plan and system effectiveness and efficiency.
Other duties may be assigned.