Position Summary
The Benefits and Leave Specialist plans, supports, coordinates and assists in a wide range of human resources initiatives requiring a high level of confidentiality. This role’s primary responsibilities are leading and supporting the implementation and administration of employee benefits and leave processes such as FMLA, PFML, Parental leave and more. Secondary support includes the implementation and administration of payroll and their processes. Co-leads organizational recognition initiatives. All employees are expected to center, model and champion Hammer’s core values: Person-Centered, Relational, Opportunistic and Stewardship in order to provide people with intellectual and other disabilities, the opportunity to live life to its fullest.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
1. Employee Benefits and Leaves
- Support the processing of employee benefits (including medical, dental, vision, HSA, life insurance, short and long-term disability plans, retirement plans, flexible spending and COBRA).
- Conduct individual and group new employee benefits orientations.
- Process benefits changes such as new enrollments, employee changes, terminations etc. in coordination with the benefit vendors.
- Leads annual open enrollment implementation, including informational and/or help sessions with employees.
- Communicate with benefits providers and benefits brokers to ensure services are supplied according to agreements.
- Ensure benefits processes, workflows and authentications are implemented and processed through the HRIS-payroll system.
- Review and update benefit bills on a routine basis. Ensure file feeds are established and function as needed. Completes a monthly audit to ensure this is accurate.
- Create and maintain benefits and compensation queries and reports (internal and external) for the human resources team and other stakeholders in the organization.
- Manage the COBRA portion of the termination process to ensure proper procedures are completed. Complete ongoing COBRA audits to ensure accuracy and completeness.
- Complete ACA Audits to ensure compliance.
- Ensure electronic employee personnel file data integrity; scan and store benefits documentation as needed.
- Responsible for 401 (k) administration and billing. Provide employee support for loans and hardship withdrawals.
- Manage annual employee flu clinics. Track, manage and act as point of contact for all billing and setup.
- Responsible for the administration and application of mandated leaves (FMLA, PFML, Parental Leave, etc.). This includes STD & LTD claims processing.
- Interprets and administers leave programs and policies in accordance with the applicable federal and state employment laws.
- Manages and administers STD & LTD programs and ensures that STD claims are coordinated with FMLA, PFML, ADA or general medical cases.
- Responsible for developing and implementing sustainable employee rewards programs that acknowledge milestones, outstanding performance, and work anniversaries.?
- Create and implement initiatives that support employee retention, recognition, and engagement.
2. Payroll Administration
- Provides backup support for the Paylocity system to lead the bi-weekly payroll cycle, manual or off-cycle payrolls, and transmission of payroll information.
- Audit and save pre and post payroll reports; research issues or errors and determine resolution. Review all aspects of payroll to ensure compliance with organization’s policies.
- Review and approve all types of employment changes submitted by Human Resources; including new hire entries, employee changes including pay increases, and transfer processing.
- Research and collaborate with team to resolve workflow issues.
- Function as a subject matter expert for the timekeeping system processes and procedures. Provide coaching and support as needed to key stakeholders.
- Oversee and process garnishments, child support orders, tax levies and any other deductions, quarterly tax verification, and verifications of income.
- Process and code approved PTO payouts and expense reimbursements.
- Perform year end responsibilities including ACA and W-2 verification and mailings.
- Participate in various required payroll audits.
- Download and process feedback files and documents from 401 (k) provider portal for bi-weekly processing.
3. HRIS Administration and Compliance
- Ensures benefits processes, workflows and authentications are implemented and processed through Paylocity.
- Prepare the HRIS system for the organization’s annual benefits open enrollment.
- Create and maintain queries and reports (internal and external) for the human resources team and other stakeholders in the organization. Reports include EEO1,
- OSHA 300A, salary surveys, retirement plan audits, PTO reports, termination reports, etc. if Lead Payroll Specialist is unavailable.
- Ensure timely completion of employment verifications and information requests.
- Ensure electronic employee personnel file data integrity; scan documentation as needed.
- Manage and maintain appropriate record retention for benefits related paperwork.
- Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal employment laws and regulations.
- Serve as a backup trainer for the HRIS system. and support to employees using the employee-facing functions of the HRIS and the mobile app.
Benefits
- 401 (k)
- Paid Time Off
- Health Insurance (30 hours and above)
- Dental Insurance (30 hours and above)
- Vision Insurance (20 hours and above)
- Life Insurance
- Paid Training
- Disability Insurance
- Wellness Program
- Employee Assistance Program
- Parental Leave
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Savings Account
- Access to Employee Success Coach who assists employees within their first year of employment.
