Benefits Specialist

Job Title: Benefits Specialist 

Reports To: Sr. Benefits Manager

Status: Full-time, Regular position

Category: HR

Location Name: Field Support

Location Address: 3400 N Central Expy, Suite 410, Richardson, TX, 75080

Work Type: Hybrid (Tues, Weds, Thurs in-office)

 

 

Join the team of experts and realize your true potential!

 

Why You Should Join the Service Experts Team?

Our team consists of the very best; we believe in doing what is right for our customers and our employees. We provide our employees with the training, support and an opportunity for unlimited professional growth. Join us and become an EXPERT!

Position Summary:

 

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day coordination, administration and compliance of employee benefit programs (group health, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, COBRA, Health Savings Account (HSA), life insurance, retirement plans, wellness, PTO programs, etc.). The Benefits Specialist will also oversee and administer leave requests and accommodations requiring specialized attention, particularly those arising under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), state and local leave laws, and short-term or long-term disability plans.

Maintains up to date knowledge of benefit programs and compliance requirements and recommends program changes and general policy and procedure changes as needed.

 

Key Responsibilities:

 

 Benefits Administration

• Responsible for the day-to-day administration of various benefit programs to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of all benefits and services.

• Provide responsive and timely communication to internal customers (phone, email and in person) and external carriers and vendors.
• Responds to escalated benefit inquiries from employees and resolves issues with carriers and benefits broker while demonstrating a high level of customer service and support.
• Completes required documentation to meet legal and compliance requirements.
• Maintains comprehensive and detailed records for all programs. Maintains process/administrative procedures, legal plan documents, files, reports and employee documentation.
• Makes recommendations affecting policy or procedural changes.

• Tracks regulatory and legislative changes affecting benefits programs and partners with Broker team to ensure compliance.
• Oversees maintenance of employee benefits files, maintains group benefits database and updates employee HRIS records as needed.
• Ensures the accuracy of all benefits enrollments in the HRIS to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information. Monitors benefits eligibility reporting to carriers and resulting error reports.
• Provides new-hire benefits orientation and education sessions.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Partners with the Sr Benefits Manager to execute the annual Benefits Open Enrollment process. Partners with Benefits Manager on all compliance matters including 5500 preparation, 401k Audits, Non-Discrimination Testing, etc.
• Review weekly and monthly invoices for accuracy for all group insurance policies as received by broker and vendors, and maintain logs of data relative to premiums, claims and costs. Resolve administrative problems with the carrier representatives.
• Maintains medical plan claim invoices, supporting data, and payment logs.
• Assist Benefits Manager in completing benefits reporting requirements and ensuring distribution of required employee notices.

401(k) Administration

• Administer 401(k) plan and maintain Fidelity site through weekly file feeds.
• Liaises with payroll and accounting regarding 401(k) inquiries from managers and employees relating to enrollments, plan changes and contribution amounts.
• Assist with annual 401(k) audit with external auditors.
• Complete annual 401(k) non-discrimination testing.
• Update HRIS system with changes to employee 401(k) deferrals and loans.

Leave of Absence Administration

• Gather all relevant information for new leaves of absence; determine eligibility for FMLA or other state and federal leave laws.
• Draft and send standardized initial leave letters and packets, as well as other follow up letters.
• Calendar and follow up on all required leave documentation to ensure all necessary documents are received on a timely basis; check for completeness and seek clarification when necessary.
• Maintain a log for employees on the status of the leave and benefit payment responsibility during leave.
• Provide advice to managers on how to manage employee leaves and medical issues in a manner consistent with Company policy and legal responsibilities.
• Enter employee data and status changes into the HRIS system.
• Perform weekly leave of absence audits to ensure data entry is accurate.
• Work with Payroll and Benefits to ensure employees on applicable Leaves are paid accurately and are appropriate enrolled in benefits (as applicable) or Cobra.
• Assist employees with filing short-term disability claims.
• Collect benefits payments during all employee leaves of absence.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in HR or related business field.  Will consider additional, equivalent work experience in a related field.
• Three or more years of related benefits or employee benefits administration or equivalent combination of relevant experience.
• Prior experience with self-funded benefit programs preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization and outside the organization
• Computer proficiency and advanced technical aptitude with the ability to use Microsoft products, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint; experience with HRIS and benefits databases.
• Effective planning and priority setting. Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Ability to use technical expertise to assist stakeholders, managers, and staff to understand compensation and benefits
• Business acumen with ability to understand complex organizational environment
• Ability to analyze and research problems in order to develop a course of action
• Strong quantitative and detail orientation
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Strict compliance with deadlines, multitasking and coordination of internal and external resources
• Demonstrated knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements, both adopted and pending, affecting employee benefits programs, including the ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, Medicare, COBRA, and Social Security and DOL requirements.

• Demonstrated knowledge of benefit plan account structures, HRIS system data, and eligibility files.

• Ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Discretion and sensitivity to confidential information is required
• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP and CEBS professional designations considered a plus.

What Do We Offer You as a Service Experts Employee? Service Experts offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees and their families in managing their health and wellness needs, including:

• Competitive Pay with incentive opportunities
• Paid Time Off and Company Holiday Pay
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance programs
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with company matching contributions
• Life Insurance and disability insurance options
• Supplemental benefit programs
• World Class Training opportunities through our Experts University
• Career Development opportunities

 

Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time with or without notice in accordance with the needs of Service Experts.

Service Experts is committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodation upon request for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request an accommodation please email talentacquisition@serviceexperts.com

Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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The job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of Service Experts.

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Service Experts is committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request an accommodation, please email talentacquisition@serviceexperts.com