Benefits Specialist
14 days ago
Houston
Job Description Overview The Benefits Specialist is a key member of the Human Resources team responsible for the comprehensive administration of all employee benefits and retirement programs. This role ensures the effective, efficient, and compliant management of company-sponsored plans, including medical, dental, vision, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short- and long-term disability, COBRA continuation coverage, wellness initiatives, and 401(k) retirement savings plans. In addition, the Benefits Specialist serves as the primary administrator for all federal and state leave of absence programs, supporting employees throughout their leave journeys and ensuring consistent adherence to applicable policies and legal requirements. Responsibilities Benefit Programs: • Administer day-to-day operations of all employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life/AD&D, short- and long-term disability, and COBRA plans., • Serve as the primary point of contact for benefits inquiries, providing timely and accurate guidance to employees regarding plan provisions, eligibility, coverage, and claims processes., • Coordinate annual open enrollment processes, including preparing and distributing materials, arranging informational sessions, and assisting employees with elections and changes., • Lead benefits renewals, plan design changes, HRIS upgrades, or vendor transitions to ensure cost effective offerings., • Collaborate with third-party benefits vendors, insurance carriers, and brokers to resolve escalated issues and maintain positive relationships., • Ensure accurate and timely processing of all benefits-related transactions, such as enrollments, terminations, changes in coverage, and beneficiary updates in HRIS and carrier systems., • Monitor and reconcile monthly billing statements and invoices from all benefits providers, ensuring accuracy and reporting discrepancies., • Educate employees and managers on benefit offerings, changes to programs, and the value of the benefits package through presentations, written communications, and one-on-one support. Retirement Plans: • Administer and support the company’s 401(k) plan, including employee enrollments, deferral changes, rollovers, distributions, and hardship withdrawals in accordance with plan documents and regulatory requirements., • Partner with retirement plan vendors to ensure appropriate investment education is available and accessible to employees., • Assist with annual plan audits and compliance testing and coordinate the timely distribution of required notices and disclosures., • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of ERISA and IRS regulations related to retirement plans and ensure the company’s compliance. Leave of Absence: • Administer all federal and state-mandated leaves of absence, including but not limited to Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, state-specific family and disability leaves, paid family leave, military leaves, and personal leaves of absence., • Serve as the main point of contact for employees and managers regarding leave processes, requirements, documentation, and return-to-work procedures., • Process leave requests, track time away, communicate eligibility and status, and coordinate with payroll to ensure accurate compensation and benefits continuation., • Maintain confidential medical and leave records in accordance with company policy and applicable laws., • Stay current on developments in leave legislation and update company policies and procedures as necessary. Wellness and Mental Health Programs: • Design, implement, and promote wellness programs aimed at supporting employees’ physical and mental well-being., • Collaborate with vendors to offer employee assistance programs (EAP), mental health counseling, stress reduction workshops, and mindfulness training., • Coordinate health screenings, fitness challenges, and preventive care initiatives to encourage healthy lifestyle habits among employees., • Evaluate the effectiveness of wellness programs through employee feedback and participation metrics, making recommendations for enhancements as needed. Compliance and Reporting: • Lead and collaborate with vendor partners to prepare and submit required government filings, such as 5500 forms, COBRA notifications, ACA compliance reports, and other documentation as needed., • Respond to benefits-related inquiries from regulatory agencies. Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or equivalent experience., • 3+ years of direct experience administering employee benefits and retirement plans, including experience with leave of absence programs., • Strong working knowledge of federal and state laws governing benefits and leaves (e.g., ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, FMLA, ADA, state family leave laws)., • Experience interpreting FMLA, ADA, Disability and Workers Compensation implications as they relate to leaves of absence., • Experience working with HRIS and benefits administration platforms, ADP preferred., • Professional certification (e.g., CEBS, PHR, SHRM-CP) preferred but not required. Capabilities • Exceptional organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills., • Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in sensitive matters., • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex benefits concepts to a diverse audience., • Customer-focused approach, with a commitment to supporting employees at all levels of the organization., • Strong analytical skills, including experience auditing benefit plans and compiling annual reporting. Why work for NTS? We offer a competitive salary with a generous and comprehensive benefit package, including: • Excellent medical, dental, and vision plans, • 401(k) retirement plan with company match and immediate vesting, • Team Ownership Program (TOP) grants an annual stock award to every active full-time employee. TOP is unique for a privately held company but is offered to show how much we value our employees!, • Flexible spending and health savings accounts, • Basic and Voluntary life and disability insurance, • Paid Time Off that is either awarded or begins to accrue on the first pay period, • 8 paid holidays, • Birthday and Work Anniversary holidays after one year of service, • Incentive bonus plans, • Educational assistance About Us: At National Trench Safety we specialize in the rental and sale of excavation safety products. NTS is proud of our reputation for supplying the highest quality trench, safety equipment, and rental fleet while providing an unparalleled level of service. We equip job sites with everything from a barricade to complete site-specific trench shoring plan as well as the equipment required to execute the plan. About our Team: At National Trench Safety (NTS), our team of employees is our most valuable asset and one of our customers’ greatest resources. NTS was built around a team of experienced industry professionals, and as NTS continues to grow we continue to attract talented individuals. The NTS team contains some of the industry’s most respected and recognized trench safety veterans. NTS is a customer service-focused organization, which can be reflected in the company’s culture and commitment to its customers. NTS is an equal opportunity employer M/F/D/V. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, nation origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.
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