HR BENEFITS & LEAVE SPECIALIST

Signicast•Hartford, WI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The HR Benefits & Leave Specialist oversees day-to-day employee benefits administration and end-to-end leave-of-absence processes under the direction of the Director, Human Resources. The specialist serves as the primary subject matter expert and contact for corporate staff and salaried and hourly employees navigating health insurance, retirement plans, multi-state medical or personal leaves, and company benefit programs. This is an on-site position in Hartford. Benefits administration includes processing enrollments, terminations, beneficiary updates, qualifying life events, and employee issues with vendors; responding to employee questions about benefit plans; preparing communications and leading onboarding orientations; planning and executing annual open enrollment; coordinating with carriers, third-party administrators, brokers, the parent company, leadership, HRIS providers, and payroll; auditing carrier invoices and deductions; and supporting compliance, reporting, and audits. The specialist also organizes and manages company programs such as employee assistance, tuition reimbursement, service awards, flu shots, and recognition events. Leave administration includes managing requests for FMLA, ADA, short- and long-term disability, workers’ compensation, military leave, and parental leave. The specialist explains leave options and employee obligations, distributes paperwork, maintains communication with employees, facilitates the ADA interactive accommodation process with managers and HR, coordinates fitness-for-duty clearances and returns to work, and tracks leave hours in coordination with payroll and HR partners. The role also ensures timely communication with supervisors, managers, HR business partners, and the HR Manager in accordance with leave laws.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in Business or a related field from a technical college, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least 3 years of benefits administration experience in a manufacturing environment.
Ability to communicate effectively with employees to share information, solve problems, and instruct or train others.
Ability to read and interpret complex legal documents and write documents and correspondence.
Experience coaching or mentoring supervisors and managers, handling difficult conversations, and maintaining professionalism in high-stress situations.
Knowledge of or familiarity with applicable ISO/TS and quality-system requirements and policies.
Solid computer skills and experience with an HRIS such as Ceridian, ADP, or Paycom.
Strong organizational and time-management skills to prioritize assignments and meet deadlines.
Ability to react quickly in a fast-paced, changing environment.

Nice To Haves

PHR or SHRM-CP certification.
Bilingual English/Spanish.

Responsibilities

Coordinate daily benefits processing, including new-hire enrollments, terminations, beneficiary updates, qualifying life events, and escalation of employee issues with vendors.
Respond to employee inquiries about health, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement plans; develop communication materials and lead onboarding orientations.
Plan, test, and execute annual open enrollment in collaboration with the parent company, leadership, HRIS provider, and external brokers.
Partner with insurance carriers and third-party administrators; audit and reconcile monthly carrier invoices and verify plan cost-sharing and deductions.
Coordinate with payroll on pre- and post-tax deductions, employer contributions, and adjustments.
Support compliance with federal, state, and local benefits laws and regulations, including ERISA, COBRA, ACA, and HIPAA, and provide related reporting and audit support.
Organize and manage company benefit programs, including employee assistance programs, tuition reimbursement, service awards, flu shots, and annual recognition events; educate employees and managers and respond to inquiries.
Manage leave-of-absence requests end to end, including FMLA, ADA, STD, LTD, workers’ compensation, military leave, and parental leave.
Meet with employees to explain leave options and obligations, distribute paperwork packets, and maintain communication during their leave.
Facilitate the ADA interactive accommodation process with managers and the HR Manager to assess and implement reasonable workplace accommodations.
Coordinate fitness-for-duty clearances and return-to-work transitions; track used leave hours with payroll and HR business partners.
Ensure timely, compliant leave updates and communication with supervisors, managers, HR business partners, and the HR Manager.