Benefits Specialist

The Human Resources Benefits Specialist is responsible for administering all benefits and retirement programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and 401(k) plan. This position provides excellent customer service and designs quality benefits plans. The Benefits Specialist continually investigates new benefits programs and improves existing programs.

At IOI, we recognize that our diversity is our greatest strength. We draw on the differences in who we are, what we've experienced, and how we think to best serve our stakeholders and our communities. Because our family of companies serves everyone, we believe in including everyone. This means we strive to hire the most talented and qualified employees that are diverse in thinking and by race, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, sexual orientation, physical abilities, and socio-economic upbringing.

This is a full-time position where days and hours can vary Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Research employee benefits plans and vendors to identify those that present the best value.
• Design, recommend and implement new benefits programs. Examine possible plan designs and benefits cost changes.
• Negotiate with vendors and administrators for best plans, options, and rates.
• Serve as primary contact for plan vendors and third-party administrators.
• Coordinate data transfer to external contacts for services, premiums, and plan administration.
• Ensures the accuracy of all benefits enrollments in the HRIS to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information.
• Assists with new-hire orientations.
• Processes HSA employee and employer payroll contributions.
• Performs quality checks of benefits-related data.
• Assists employees regarding benefits claim issues and plan changes.
• Distributes all benefits enrollment materials and determines eligibility.
• Enrolls employees with carriers and process life status changes.
• Responds to benefits inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes, and other general inquiries.
• Processes and administers all leave-of-absence requests and disability paperwork: medical, personal, disability, and FMLA.
• Effectively interprets FMLA and ADA implications relating to leaves of absence/disabilities.
• Responds to 401(k) inquiries from managers and employees about enrollments, plan changes, and contribution amounts. Manages the annual catch-up contribution enrollment.
• Assists with the open enrollment process.
• Administers the tuition reimbursement program.
• Provides necessary reports for allocation/billing charges.
• Perform plan audits. Prepare, collect and organize data for actuarial assessments. Review data in conjunction with Finance.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• Previous experience with employee benefit enrollment, including new hire, annual open enrollment, and qualifying events.
• Previous experience in the administration of FMLA/Leave of Absence.
• HRIS knowledge and experience working with an external benefit broker.
• Extensive knowledge of employee benefits and applicable laws.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment with associates.
• Effective planning and priority setting. Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of plan designs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in human resources or related field of study.
• SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)certification credential.
• 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, workers' compensation, Medicare, OBRA, and Social Security and DOL requirements.

Direct Reports:

May supervise interns