Benefits Specialist

Benefits Specialist

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for the administration of corporate benefit programs such as medical, dental and vision insurances, group life insurances, short term disability, long term disability insurances, FSA / HSA programs, 401(K), workers compensation and employee leave programs.

Essential Functions:

• Serves as the subject matter expert for processes, administers, and tracks all employee FMLA, workers' compensation, ADA, and/or other similar leaves of absence while ensuring compliance with applicable law and Company policy
• Consult with Workers Compensation carrier to submit new claims, manage leave and payment activities
• Work with Compliance to ensure that all ERISA, FMLA, ADA, HIPPA etc. requirements are being met
• Work with Safety Team to ensure that all required OSHA recordkeeping, postings, and reporting activities are complete
• Administers benefit plan for multiple subsidiaries and contracts including SCA and CBA contracts
• Serves as primary contact for all benefits and leave with employee and managers
• Ensures the accuracy of all benefit enrollments in the HRIS
• Communicate with vendors regarding various issues including enrollment, claim disputes, and invoice reconciliation
• Assist with the annual open enrollment process and conducts all benefit related onboarding activities
• Travels to locations for new contact set up to include benefits meetings and travel to contract locations for annual open enrollment meetings
• Create benefit materials for new hires, open enrollment, and recruiting candidates
• Ensure that employee benefit and medical files are maintained properly in a secured environment
• May be required to perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This job does not have supervisory responsibilities

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Advanced computer skills specifically using Microsoft Office Suite; ability to learn additional computer skills or software programs. Working knowledge of advanced software applications is preferred
• Ability to enter data accurately into databases.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence
• Interpersonal skills are necessary to work effectively and cooperatively with all levels of management and staff. Will also routinely interact with external contacts such as customers, vendors, suppliers, shipping companies, etc. Must represent the company in a professional manner at all times.
• Must be trustworthy - will handle confidential information routinely
• Ability to use general office equipment such as fax, phone, copier, scanner, printers, etc.
• Ability to follow a process.
• Strong professional customer service skills, including active listening, prompt service and follow-up.
• Analytical skills with the ability to evaluate data and consider decision impact across multiple areas.
• Strong decision analysis and problem solving skills; ability to draw conclusions and justify decisions. Must be able to communicate issues to management.
• Ability to learn and understand corporate policies and procedures and how they relate to goals.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical computations
• High degree of self-motivation and the ability to work independently
• Ability to multi-task
• Capable of handling a heavy work load
• Ability to work under tight deadlines

Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree in related field with 2 to 5 years of benefit administration experience
• 1 year of FMLA administration experience preferred
• Must have a current HR benefit related knowledge base, including FMLA, ADA & COBRA
• Highly effective interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrate a proven track record of accomplishments and driving work to completion
• Previous experience with union employees / benefits program preferred
• Certification in HR-related accreditation (SHRM/PHR) is preferred
• Strong database experience as related to benefit plan administration is required
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Government Security Clearance

Preference Statement: Preference will be given to Calista shareholders and their descendants and to spouses of Calista shareholders, and to shareholders of other corporations created pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, in accordance with Title 43 U.S. Code 1626(g).

EEO Statement: Additionally, it is our policy to select, place, train and promote the most qualified individuals based upon relevant factors such as work quality, attitude and experience, so as to provide equal employment opportunity for all employees in compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws and without regard to non-work related factors such as race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, genetic information, or other protected status. When applicable, our policy of non-discrimination applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, transfer, promotion, placement, layoff, compensation, termination, reduction in force and benefits.

Reasonable Accommodation: It is Calista and Subsidiaries' business philosophy and practice to provide reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities.