HR Benefits and Leave Specialist

UBMD Physicians Group•Buffalo, NY

2d•$22 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

The HR Benefits and Leave Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day administration of employee benefits, leaves of absence, disability claims, workers’ compensation, and related HR processes. This position serves as a primary point of contact for employees regarding benefit and leave questions and works closely with employees, managers, payroll, insurance carriers, and benefit vendors to ensure requests are processed accurately and timely. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, responsive, and comfortable managing multiple cases, deadlines, and confidential employee matters. We are also looking for someone who enjoys being part of a collaborative HR team, is willing to support coworkers when needed, and brings a positive, team-focused approach to their work. This position will also provide support with employee records, onboarding, offboarding, HR system updates, compliance tracking, and other HR administrative functions.

Requirements

At least two years of experience in human resources, employee benefits, leave administration, disability claims, workers’ compensation, payroll, insurance, or a related field required.
Strong organizational and time management skills
Ability to communicate professionally and compassionately with employees regarding sensitive matters.
Ability to maintain confidential employee and medical information.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Nice To Haves

Associate degree or bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, healthcare administration, or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Administer employee leaves of absence, including FMLA, New York State Paid Family Leave, disability leave, personal leave, military leave, and other applicable leave programs.
Provide employees with required forms, notices, instructions, and deadlines for leaves of absence.
Review submitted leave documentation for completeness and follow up regarding missing information.
Communicate leave approvals, denials, extensions, exhaustion dates, and return-to-work requirements.
Maintain accurate leave records and track intermittent and continuous leave usage.
Coordinate leave-related information with employees, managers, payroll, and insurance carriers.
Prepare payroll notifications related to paid and unpaid leave periods.
Escalate complex leave, attendance, accommodation, or compliance matters to the HR Director.
Serve as an initial point of contact for employees requesting a workplace accommodation.
Provide employees with applicable accommodation forms, instructions, and documentation requirements.
Gather relevant information from employees, managers, and medical providers as part of the accommodation process.
Escalate complex, disputed, high-risk, indefinite, or operationally challenging accommodation matters to the HR Director.
Respond to routine employee questions regarding benefit eligibility, coverage, deductions, claims, and enrollment procedures.
Assist employees with benefit portal access, enrollment issues, and carrier questions.
Work with benefit carriers, brokers, and vendors to resolve enrollment, coverage, billing, and claim concerns.
Review and reconcile benefit invoices and identify enrollment or billing discrepancies.
Coordinate annual open enrollment activities, including employee communications, meetings, enrollment materials, and system updates.
Assist with benefit audits, required notices, and compliance-related reporting.
Coordinate short-term disability, statutory disability, Paid Family Leave, and workers’ compensation claims.
Provide employees with applicable forms, claim instructions, and required deadlines for disability and workers' compensation.
Submit employer documentation to carriers and respond to requests for additional information for disability and workers' compensation claims.
Track claim status, benefit periods, work restrictions, appointments, and return-to-work documentation for disability and workers' compensation.
Assist with obtaining incident reports, medical documentation, and other information required for workers’ compensation claims.
Receive, review, and respond to unemployment insurance claims and related information requests.
Gather relevant employment records, including dates of employment, wage information, attendance records, disciplinary documentation, and separation information for unemployment claims.
Prepare and submit accurate and timely responses to the New York State Department of Labor and other applicable agencies for unemployment claims.
Coordinate with managers, payroll, and the HR Director to obtain information needed to respond to unemployment claims.
Maintain organized and confidential unemployment claim records.
Assist with preparing documentation for unemployment hearings or appeals.
Participate in unemployment hearings when requested and appropriately trained.
Assist with employee onboarding, including benefit orientation, eligibility communication, required forms, and system enrollment.
Conduct periodic audits of personnel files, benefit records, leave records, accommodation records, and I-9 documentation.
Maintain HR trackers, reports, calendars, templates, checklists, and standard employee communications.
Assist with developing, documenting, implementing, and maintaining HR workflows and standard operating procedures for each affiliated practice plan.
Work with the HR team and practice leadership to identify process gaps and promote consistent HR procedures across the affiliated practice plans.
Review existing workflows and recommend improvements to support accuracy, efficiency, compliance, and a positive employee experience.
Assist with required employee notices, policy acknowledgments, and compliance communications.
Provide administrative and project support to the HR team as needed.