Specialist, Benefits (Temporary)

Canon Business Process Services•New York, NY

About The Position

The Specialist, Benefits oversees benefit carrier performance for health, welfare, and retirement plans to ensure accurate 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 handles benefit eligibility, enrollment, payroll deduction, vendor, invoice, and plan administration matters. The role also supports compliance, employee communications, workers’ compensation, disability, and leave programs, while working with employees, human resources representatives, vendors, and corporate risk management.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent knowledge.
At least 5 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 and 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, and resolve issues with benefit vendors.
Respond to employees’ benefit questions by phone and email.
Review, reconcile, and pay benefit vendor invoices, including Healthy San Francisco invoices.
Prepare updated 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 issues affecting the 401(k) plan, including 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 questions about the company’s benefit programs.
Recommend proactive programs to return employees with medical work limitations to work quickly and with minimal 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 the cancellation policy.
Keep informed of 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.