Job Description:
Position Summary:
The Benefits + Leave Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day administration of employee benefits, wellness, disability, and leave programs. The incumbent serves as the primary point of contact for employee benefit and leave related inquiries and provides timely, high-quality customer service to employees, regulatory compliance, operational excellence and data integrity. The Benefits + Leave Specialist processes benefit changes, administers leave of absence programs, maintains accurate records, and supports other benefit and wellness-related initiatives. The incumbent partners with employees, leaders, vendors, payroll, and Human Resources to deliver an exceptional employee experience while supporting organizational compliance and benefit program effectiveness.
Primary Responsibilities & Duties:
Benefits Administration & Employee Support
- Serve as the primary contact for employee benefits, leave of absence, disability, and workers’ compensation questions and requests
- Educate employees regarding eligibility, enrollment, qualifying life events, and benefit programs
- Process benefit enrollments, terminations, COBRA coordination, status changes, and qualifying life events within HRIS and vendor systems
- Administer programs in accordance with ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, COBRA, FMLA, and other applicable federal and state laws
- Maintain current knowledge of benefit laws, leave of absence regulations, and industry best practices
- Partner with benefit carriers and third-party administrators to resolve escalated employee issues and ensure service level expectations are met
- Troubleshoot issues and escalate complex benefit, leave, and accommodation issues to the Manager, Benefits
- Prepare and analyze routine benefit and leave utilization reports
- Monitor benefit trends, leave activity, and program participation to support decision-making and compliance efforts
Leave & Disability Administration
- Administer leave of absence cases (FMLA, ADA, state-specific leave, personal leave, disability, etc.), ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations
- Provide guidance to employees regarding leaves of absence and disability entitlements
- Maintain data integrity to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations and track return-to-work timelines
- Maintain accurate leave, and employee data within HRIS and vendor systems
- Process reasonable accommodation requests in compliance with ADA standards
- Coordinate with employees, leaders, leave carrier, Human Resources, and Payroll to ensure leaves of absence and disability claims are processed accurately and timely
- Conduct periodic reviews of leave administration practices to promote consistency, accuracy, and compliance
- Establish and maintain standardized leave administration processes, templates, forms, and best practices
Benefit Communications & Initiatives
- Draft and support employee communications related to benefits and wellness programs, including open enrollment content
- Update benefits information on company intranet as needed
- Support implementation of new programs and process improvements from planning through rollout, including communications and employee education
- Support open enrollment preparation, testing, employee communications, and employee assistance
- Participate in compliance audits
- Plan and support implementation of employee well-being initiatives
Billing & Invoice Reconciliation
- Responsible for reconciling benefit-related invoices with enrollment records
- Route invoices for processing and payment
- Track vendor invoices and payments to ensure timely remittance
- Proactively identify and resolve billing discrepancies, partnering directly with vendors and Finance to correct errors undefined
Knowledge / Skills:
- Solid knowledge of benefits-related regulations, including HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, and state leave laws
- Ability to explain complex benefit and leave rules in plain language and excellent customer service skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Strong attention to detail, reconciling records and invoices accurately
- Ability to self-manage and prioritize responsibilities
- Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and strict confidentiality
- Experience with HRIS or benefits administration systems (Workday experience preferred)
- Highly resourceful collaborator, with the ability to also be effective independently
Minimum Requirements:
- Associate’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field, or equivalent work experience
- 2+ years’ benefits administration or progressive Human Resources experience
- Proficient with Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint skills
- Solid knowledge of pertinent federal and state Human Resources regulations and compliance requirements affecting employee benefits programs, including the ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, workers’ compensation, Medicare/Social Security, and DOL requirements
Everwise is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.