The Benefits Specialist is essential to advancing the People and Culture department’s efforts to foster a culture of engagement by supporting benefits strategies that make employees feel cared for and help attract new talent. Along with experience in benefits administration, the ideal candidate for this role believes in our mission of preventing homelessness and shares our equity and anti-discrimination values. This is a hybrid position, with in-office work on Tuesdays and Thursdays and remote work on the remaining days.

Essential Job Responsibilities: The responsibilities outlined below are representative but not all-inclusive. Additional duties may be assigned by the supervisor to ensure organizational and departmental goals are met.

Overseeing the organization’s yearly benefits renewal process:

• Work with the People and Culture Director, insurance brokers and third-party vendors to ensure the organization’s benefits plan best meets the employees’ needs.
• Organize and lead the open enrollment process with employees and provide support to staff during open enrollment season.
• Conduct prior and post open enrollment audits to guarantee compliance and trouble-free open enrollment process.

Benefits Plans Administration:

• Administer employees medical, dental, and voluntary insurance plans.
• Complete new hires enrollment and track employees’ changes; terminations, position status changes, benefits and eligibility changes.
• Manage and track Leaves of Absences related to FMLA/OFLA, Washington Paid Leave, and Oregon Paid Family Leave.
• Support employees and supervisors with Reasonable Accommodation requests.
• Administer Workers Compensation claims and processes.
• Conduct employees’ surveys to determine overall satisfaction with our current benefits program.

Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with HIPPA, DOL, ERISA, IRS and any other regulatory agencies.
• Stay up to date with state and federal regulations regarding benefits and reporting necessary changes to management.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Experience in Human Resources, specifically administering employee benefits programs.
• Knowledge of state and federal rules and regulations affecting employees benefits, such as HIPPA, OFLA, FMLA, ADA, Workers Compensation, DOL, ERISA, etc.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with employees from different cultures, race, age and abilities.
• Strong analytical and time management skills.
• Self-organizing and ability to work in multiple projects at a time.
• Proficient with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and HRIS systems.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize multiple various tasks, meticulous attention to details and ability to work independently and as part of a diverse team.

Essential Competencies: The knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary for success in this role.

• Valuing Diversity: Helps create a positive work environment that embraces and appreciates diversity.
• Adaptability & Flexibility: Adapts to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities.
• Accountability & Dependability: Takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work and achieves results with little oversight.
• Digital Literacy: Uses HRIS (Human Resources Information Systems) and other tech tools to drive HR strategies.
• HR Metrics: Leverages data analytics to make informed decisions and measure the impact of HR initiatives.
• Employee Experience: Creates a positive and holistic experience for employees throughout their entire journey with the organization.
• Relationship Building: Builds constructive working relationships characterized by acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect.
• Planning & Organizing: Coordinates ideas and resources to achieve goals.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and deliverables.
• Development & Continual Learning: Displays an ongoing commitment to learning and self-improvement
• Providing Consultation: Partners with staff to identify and resolve complex or sensitive issues.
• Presenting Information: Formally delivers information to groups.