Benefits and Leave of Absence Coordinator

Department: Human Resources
Status: Full-time

Who We Are

At Sertoma Star Services, we’re on a mission to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those living with mental illness to reach their goals and lead fulfilling lives. With a strategic presence in South Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, we proudly serve more than 2,000 individuals through a diverse range of vocational, educational, therapeutic, and residential programs.

Sertoma Star Services was formed through the merger of two dynamic social services organizations, New Star and Sertoma Centre, combining more than 125 years of experience providing innovative, person-centered services. Our shared commitment is simple: to transform lives by delivering comprehensive services, choices, and opportunities in an environment that promotes self-advocacy and personal success.

By joining the Sertoma Star team, you will have a unique opportunity to challenge limits and change lives. Together, we can shape a brighter future for those we serve.

Your Role

As the Benefits and Leave of Absence Coordinator, you will support the administration of employee benefit and leave programs, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, FMLA, personal and military leave, and short- and long-term disability.

You will monitor employee eligibility, coordinate enrollments, maintain accurate records, assist employees with benefit-related questions, and ensure leave and benefit activities are properly documented in the HRIS. This role requires a working knowledge of federal and state regulations, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Affordable Care Act (ACA), COBRA, and workers’ compensation.

Responsibilities

• Assist employees with benefit enrollment and ensure elections are completed accurately and within required deadlines.

• Obtain benefit waivers and proof of coverage when applicable and maintain accurate employee benefit records.

• Serve as a liaison between employees, the agency’s insurance broker, benefit carriers, and third-party administrators.

• Respond to general benefit inquiries and assist with researching and resolving issues related to eligibility, enrollment, coverage, and benefit payments.

• Coordinate the secure transfer of information to brokers, external vendors, plan providers, auditors, and other authorized parties.

• Manage and track employee leaves of absence, including FMLA, personal leave, military leave, and short- and long-term disability.

• Ensure all required leave documentation is received, reviewed, maintained, and accurately recorded in the HRIS.

• Maintain appropriate communication with employees throughout the leave process and support a smooth return-to-work transition.

• Assist with the administration of the agency’s 403(b) retirement plan and annual audit.

• Monitor and notify employees of benefit eligibility resulting from new-hire status, qualifying life events, ACA eligibility, or employment status changes.

• Process applicable benefit changes accurately and promptly within the benefits administration system.

• Maintain ACA tracking records and assist with required reporting and filing activities.

• Process benefit terminations and initiate COBRA notifications through the agency’s third-party administrator.

• Monitor active COBRA participants, enrollments, payments, and required benefit communications.

• Partner with the HR Generalist and CHRO to coordinate benefit-related events, including wellness screenings, benefit fairs, and annual open enrollment.

• Reconcile benefit carrier invoices with payroll deductions and follow up on discrepancies in partnership with Payroll and Accounting.

• Generate reports and assist with updating benefit-related documents, HRIS configurations, and intranet resources.

• Communicate benefit programs, procedures, plan changes, and required government disclosures to current and former employees.

• Support employee wellness programs and agency-wide wellness initiatives.

• Create and revise benefit-related forms, documents, and communication materials as needed.

• Provide backup support to other members of the Human Resources team, including reception coverage when necessary.

• Attend all agency-mandated training within the required timeframes.

• Maintain compliance with applicable licensing, funding, accreditation, and state and federal regulatory requirements, as well as agency policies and safety procedures.

• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.

• Previous experience supporting employee benefits, leave administration, Human Resources, or a related function preferred.

• Working knowledge of employee benefit programs and applicable regulations, including FMLA, ADA, ACA, COBRA, and short- and long-term disability.

• Experience working with an HRIS or benefits administration platform preferred.

• Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage confidential information.

• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate records.

• Strong customer-service, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off

• 13 paid holidays

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans

• Employer-paid basic life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance

• Employee Assistance Program

• 403(b) retirement plan with company match

• Tuition assistance

• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness

• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities

Health, Safety, and Culture

Sertoma Star Services is an equal opportunity employer that embraces the uniqueness of every person. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that is respectful and sensitive to individuals of all gender identities and cultural, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds.

Our open-door, team-building approach supports both agency goals and employee success.