We are hiring a Benefits Specialist that will work onsite answering employee questions, resolving issues, ensuring employees are added and removed on our benefit plans within eligibility timeframes. As the owner of the benefits data, this position processes and reconciles the benefit billings, and ensures timeliness and accuracy of benefits administration. Other important duties for this role include our Workers' Compensation program and Leave of Absence program. This position collaborates and partners the overall HR Team, Accounting, and Payroll.

The successful candidate loves the details involved with administering benefits, they understand the laws impacting benefits and how to remain in compliance. They are able to work and thrive in a busy office environment with the ability to work with the distractions of people coming, going, and talking around their workstations. They successfully manage the balance between focused work time and availability to help employees and their HR Team members. They will be organized, have excellent writing skills, are a systems thinker with a love of working with employee data ensuring accuracy and consistency.

Many of our people's jobs are in the service industry and your internal customer service must mirror what your internal customers strive for everyday!

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Analyzes benefit programs, coordinates annual renewal process, and recommends changes.
• Serves as a liaison between benefit carriers and employees.
• Understands and applies benefit laws for retirement plans COBRA, HIPAA, OSHA, and other regulated benefits.
• Accurately reconciles and submits payment requests for benefit invoices within each carrier's due dates.
• System owner of benefit software applications. Sets up plans, troubleshoots system issues and makes corrections or recommends course of action and program enhancements.
• Answers employee emails, calls, and walk-ins in a responsive, empathetic, and professional manner.
• Processes benefit applications, new hires, changes and transfers.
• Assesses and determines benefit eligibility, assigns effective dates for benefits, communicates status of changes with employees.
• Conveys follow up communications regarding changes on benefit enrollment.
• Reviews employee status changes affecting benefit eligibility.
• Ensures updates of benefit electronic and paper files, file labels, insurance systems and applicable third parties occur.
• Conducts regular audits of benefit enrollments, changes, & terminations.
• Assigns and administers employee refunds/collecting premiums as appropriate.
• Collaborates with Payroll/Finance and other departments to ensure benefit billings and payroll deductions are accurate.
• Oversees and identifies claim issues/trends by working with employee(s) and insurance companies to resolve applicable issues, then reports any issues and trends to HR Management.
• Ensures updates of benefit paper files, file labels, insurance systems and applicable third parties occur.
• Regularly creates and processes various reports as needed.
• Orders, maintains, ensures all benefit supplies are in stock and supplied in both the front office areas and the supply room.
• Administers leave of absence program. Ensures documentation is given, received, and stored in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.
• Administers workers' compensation program. Ensures documentation is given, received, and stored in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.
• Prepares and files various state and federal forms.
• Drafts letters, memos, and other human resources documents.
• Attend benefit training and educational events.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of departmental issues and documentation.
• Leads wellness activities and general HR duties as assigned.
• Keeps apprised of developments in the Human Resources field and keeps management informed of applicable changes in employment laws and trends.
• Identifies training needs, writes curriculum, and delivers training at all levels.
• Develops new programs, procedures and policies.
• Monitors legal compliance in record keeping for the Human Resources Information System, personnel files, required posters, workers' compensation, EEO, state unemployment benefits, DSHS orders, OSHA, employee safety, etc.
• May act as liaison with managers and employees on issues and resolutions.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Degree in Human Resources or related field, and at least three years human resources or equivalent experience.
• Training experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience is required to successfully perform the job.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Intermediate Word and advanced Excel experience is strongly preferred.
• HRIS and budget experience preferred.
• This position requires the individual to perform work independently and as a team member within the HR department.
• Substantial analysis is required to determine the appropriate decision regarding various situations.
• Class II Gaming License issued from the Port Gamble S'Klallam Gaming Commission may be required.
• Valid Washington State driver's license.