The Benefit Specialist puts into practice knowledge of human resources principles, as well as state and federal employment law in the day-to-day execution of benefit administration.  Administers the company’s employee healthcare benefit, retirement and pension plans. The Benefits Specialist reports to the Human Resources Manager. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Benefit Specialists is responsible for performing the following duties: 

• Distributes benefit enrollment materials and determines eligibility. 
• Conducts Benefit Orientation for new hires and employees with changes in status. Processes all company benefit enrollments and changes. 
• Sends communication regarding health insurance and retirement plans when there are changes or legally required notices
• Coordinates annual open enrollment sessions along with HR Manager. 
• Coordinates and takes minutes for Insurance trust meetings. 
• Processes retirement plan enrollments, plan loans and distributions for Clinicas and its subsidiaries. 
• Responds to benefit verification requests. 
• Creates and processes personnel action forms.  
• Processes life insurance enrollment, changes and age band increases. Assists employees’ beneficiaries with claims processing when needed. 
• Responds to benefits and retirement plan inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries. 
• Collaborates with Payroll, Leave Specialist and third-party administrators on billing and collection of premiums. 
• Organizes plan documents and requested files for benefit and retirement plan audits. 
• Processes annual ACA reporting in collaboration with Leave Specialist. 
• Provides support to the Leave Specialist, as needed and in their absence. 
• Answers questions related to personnel policies and procedures.
• Prepares reports as needed.
• May assist with the coordination of employee relations functions. 
• Performs other duties as assigned including participation in all safety programs which may include assignment to an emergency response team.