Leave/Benefits Specialist

LEAVES/BENEFITS SPECIALIST - JOB SUMMARY:

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Leaves and Benefits Specialist is responsible for the administration of employee leave programs (including FMLA, ADA, CFRA, PDL, and other statutory leaves) and employee benefits plans. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and acts as a liaison between employees, HR, management, and third-party administrators to facilitate leave requests and benefit enrollments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (not all inclusive):

Leave Administration

• Administer all aspects of employee leave of absence programs (FMLA, CFRA, PDL, ADA, military leave, personal leave, etc.).

• Manage intake, documentation, eligibility determination, tracking, and return-to-work coordination.

• Communicate with employees regarding rights, responsibilities, and next steps.

• Maintain accurate and confidential records in accordance with legal requirements and organizational policies.

• Coordinate with payroll to ensure correct pay during leaves (e.g., paid sick leave, disability, PTO usage).

Benefits Administration

• Assist with benefits enrollment, changes, terminations, and annual open enrollment processes.

• Serve as point of contact for employees with benefits questions (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, etc.).

• Coordinate with benefits vendors and brokers to resolve employee issues.

• Educate employees on available benefit programs and options.

• Assist with benefits billing, invoice reconciliation, and COBRA administration.

Compliance and Documentation

• Ensure programs comply with federal and state laws such as ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, FMLA, ADA, and COBRA.

• Support audits, reporting, and documentation related to leaves and benefits.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of laws and regulations affecting leave and benefits administration.

Qualifications:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field preferred.

• 2 years of HR experience with a focus on leave administration and/or benefits.

• Working knowledge of relevant laws (FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, ACA, etc.).

• Strong organizational and communication skills.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

• Experience with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification such as PHR, SHRM-CP, or CEBS.

M/F/D/V/SO

EOE