Specialist, Benefits (Temporary)

Canon Business Process Services, Inc.•New York, NY

10d

About The Position

The Specialist, Benefits oversees carrier performance for health, welfare, and retirement plans to ensure accurate plan administration. The role manages occupational and non-occupational leave benefits with the goal of minimizing employee absence and corporate expense, and acts in the absence of the Benefits Manager. The Specialist reviews life-event documentation, resolves eligibility, enrollment, payroll deduction, vendor, billing, and 401(k) issues, and responds to employee benefit inquiries. The role also reviews and pays benefit invoices, prepares benefit communications, maintains administrative procedures, supports dependent eligibility audits, and helps address ERISA and HIPAA compliance matters. The position provides expertise and guidance on disability, workers’ compensation, leave policies, and other benefits. It advises and trains regional human resources representatives, supports return-to-work efforts and workers’ compensation claims, manages salary continuation for eligible exempt employees, and administers direct billing for employees on leave. The Specialist keeps informed about relevant state and federal policy and law changes and assists with projects as required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent knowledge.
At least five years of benefits administration experience.
Strong knowledge of FMLA, COBRA, ERISA, Section 125, ADA, and applicable federal and state laws.
Knowledge of office equipment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and MS Access.
Highly motivated self-starter with excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to set priorities and maintain confidentiality; organized and detail-oriented.
Ability to handle stress and conflict and resolve issues effectively and confidentially.
Excellent customer service skills, a positive attitude, and ability to work as a team player.
Excellent follow-up skills.
Ability to be creative.
Ability to communicate accurately, clearly, and effectively.
Excellent attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of AS400 Infinium or a similar HRIS system.

Responsibilities

Review qualified life-event documentation and approve enrollment as appropriate.
Research benefit eligibility, enrollment, and payroll deduction issues and discrepancies; resolve issues with benefit vendors and respond to employee inquiries by phone and email.
Review, reconcile, and pay benefit vendor invoices, including Healthy San Francisco invoices.
Prepare and update benefit communications, including summary plan descriptions and annual open enrollment materials.
Maintain and update plan administrative procedures.
Assist with implementation and maintenance of dependent eligibility audits.
Review and verify monthly billing for health and welfare plans.
Review and resolve 401(k) plan issues involving contributions, matching contributions, and catch-up contributions.
Work with the Manager, Employee Benefits to resolve ERISA or HIPAA compliance issues.
Develop and maintain relationships with benefits vendors and communicate plan changes.
Advise and train regional human resources representatives on disability and workers’ compensation laws and procedures.
Provide subject matter expertise on disability, workers’ compensation, CBPS leave policy, and other benefits-program questions.
Recommend proactive programs to return employees with medical work limitations to work quickly while minimizing company expense.
Collaborate with corporate risk management on strategies to close open workers’ compensation claims.
Recommend ideas and processes to reduce workers’ compensation costs.
Manage salary continuation benefits for eligible exempt employees.
Administer direct billing for employees on leave, follow up on unpaid invoices, and advise employees of cancellation policy.
Stay informed about state and federal policy and law changes that may affect benefit plans.
Assist with projects as required.
Act in the absence of the Benefits Manager.