Benefits Specialist

Hajoca•Whitemarsh Township, PA

About The Position

The Benefits Specialist is a first-level contact for benefit-related questions from teammates, retirees, and family members. The role provides accurate, professional support on employee benefits, enrollment, benefit programs, COBRA, and retirement plans; documents interactions; helps people use self-service technology; refers issues to appropriate resources; and escalates unresolved problems to subject matter experts. The position processes qualifying life event requests and coordinates with Payroll on insurance premium adjustments. It works with the third-party COBRA administrator to facilitate coverage and termination through carrier portals and periodically audits enrollments. The specialist also processes National Medical Support Notices, maintains system and training documentation, and assists with leave-of-absence administration, including long-term disability and state disability or family leave claims. The role stays current on state-specific benefits and leave laws, monitors compliance, supports retirement and pension plan administration, and completes assigned benefits, safety, and compliance projects and training.

Requirements

Two or more years of experience in benefits administration or human resources.
Knowledge and understanding of common payroll, benefits, and recruiting practices.
Ability to use Microsoft Office software to communicate via email and review reports and documents.
Outstanding customer service and interpersonal communication skills, including strong written and verbal communication.
High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to handle sensitive information confidentially.
Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with teammates and co-workers.
Ability to research, analyze data, and solve problems.
Ability to work effectively across all levels of the business.
Ability to exercise professional judgment and assume responsibility for decisions affecting people and quality of service.
Ability to handle interpersonal conflict and setbacks in a mature, problem-solving, solutions-oriented manner.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize projects and multitask.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to learn and operate the computer-related systems used in the People Operations department.

Nice To Haves

Professional certification such as CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist) or SHRM-CP.

Responsibilities

Respond professionally and accurately to written and oral inquiries from teammates, retirees, and family members about employee benefits, enrollment, benefit programs, COBRA, and retirement plans.
Accurately document detailed information about benefit-related interactions.
Coach teammates, retirees, and families on self-service technology and refer them to outside vendors or other resources as appropriate.
Escalate unresolved problems to subject matter experts.
Process qualifying life event requests and coordinate with Payroll to ensure insurance premiums are adjusted as necessary.
Work with the third-party COBRA administrator to facilitate benefits coverage and termination within carrier portals, and periodically audit enrollments.
Process National Medical Support Notices, including notifications and enrollments.
Assist with updating and maintaining system and training documentation for internal and external use.
Assist the Leave of Absence Specialist with administration of the Leave of Absence program, including long-term disability claims and state disability or family leave claims.
Stay current on state-specific laws regarding benefits and leaves of absence, and monitor processes for compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
Assist in administering retirement and pension plans and facilitate notifications to retirees regarding benefits.
Complete benefits project work and required safety and compliance training programs as assigned.
Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and other management.