Benefits Specialist

Mission Critical Group•McKinney, TX

About The Position

The Benefits Specialist will independently administer employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement, wellness, and voluntary benefit offerings. This role serves as the primary point of contact for employee benefit inquiries, providing guidance and resolution regarding eligibility, enrollment, plan provisions, coverage, and claims-related issues. The specialist will manage new hire enrollments, qualifying life event changes, benefit terminations, and annual open enrollment activities. They will review and process benefit transactions to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely completion, and conduct regular audits of benefit enrollments, payroll deductions, vendor files, and carrier invoices. The role involves partnering with benefit carriers, brokers, retirement plan providers, COBRA administrators, and third-party vendors to resolve issues and maintain service excellence. Additionally, the Benefits Specialist will support annual benefits renewal and open enrollment initiatives, develop and maintain employee communications, maintain benefit plan documentation, and participate in benefits-related projects. The position also requires generating and analyzing benefits enrollment, utilization, and operational metrics, identifying opportunities for process improvement, and supporting the administration of 401(k) and retirement programs. A key responsibility includes presenting weekly benefits orientation to new employees. The role also supports compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, assists with reporting and audits, and monitors regulatory changes. Independent judgment is expected when interpreting plan provisions and administrative guidelines. The Benefits Specialist will also serve as a backup resource for leave administration activities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field; equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
4+ years of experience in benefits administration or benefits operations.
General knowledge of federal and state leave laws and benefit-related compliance.
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage sensitive information confidentially.
Excellent communication, customer service, and problem‑solving skills.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
Prioritize safety in all actions. Actively follow safety protocols, identify potential hazards, and take immediate steps to correct or report unsafe conditions.
Respect the input and ideas of everyone to create the best possible outcome.
Value transparency in all interactions, ensuring honesty and openness with each stakeholder.
Seek new ways to improve and take on new challenges.
Adapt to the ever-evolving business needs enabled by resourcefulness and agility.
Deliver on your commitments and achieve your goals. Show up to work on time and complete your assigned tasks.
Learn new things, actively seek feedback and training.
Take full responsibility for the quality and efficiency of your work. Proactively identify issues, offer solutions, and follow through. Treat company resources and goals as your own.

Nice To Haves

CEBS, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or related HR/benefits certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Independently administer employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement, wellness, and voluntary benefit offerings.
Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefit inquiries, providing guidance and resolution regarding eligibility, enrollment, plan provisions, coverage, and claims-related issues.
Manage new hire enrollments, qualifying life event changes, benefit terminations, and annual open enrollment activities.
Review and process benefit transactions to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely completion.
Conduct regular audits of benefit enrollments, payroll deductions, vendor files, and carrier invoices to ensure data integrity and billing accuracy.
Partner with benefit carriers, brokers, retirement plan providers, COBRA administrators, and third-party vendors to resolve issues and maintain service excellence.
Support annual benefits renewal and open enrollment initiatives, including employee communications, vendor coordination, system testing, and implementation activities.
Develop and maintain employee communications, benefit guides, FAQs, presentations, and educational materials that improve employee understanding and engagement.
Maintain benefit plan documentation, summary plan descriptions, policies, and related records.
Participate in benefits-related projects, system enhancements, vendor implementations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Generate and analyze benefits enrollment, utilization, and operational metrics to identify trends and support decision making.
Identify opportunities to improve benefits administration processes, increase operational efficiency, and enhance the employee experience.
Support administration of 401(k) and retirement programs, including enrollment, employee education, vendor coordination, and compliance activities.
Present weekly benefits orientation to new employees, providing clear guidance on benefit offerings, enrollment procedures, and employee wellness resources.
Support compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other benefit-related requirements.
Assist with the preparation of audits, annual reporting, regulatory filings, and compliance reviews.
Monitor regulatory changes and recommend updates to policies, procedures, communications, and administrative practices.
Maintain accurate records and documentation in accordance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
Exercise independent judgment when interpreting plan provisions, eligibility requirements, administrative guidelines, and employee benefit situations.
Recommend process improvements, communication enhancements, and administrative solutions that support organizational goals and compliance requirements.
Serve as a backup resource for leave administration activities during periods of absence, increased workload, or business need.
Assist with leave-related reporting, recordkeeping, documentation management, and employee communications assigned.
Maintain confidentiality of employee medical information and sensitive records in accordance with company policy and applicable regulations.