HR Benefits Specialist

Remote Vallejo, CA

As an HR Benefits Specialist, you will play a key role in the strategic planning and administration of company benefits for Meyer/Hestan companies and their employees. It is extremely important for this role to stay in tune and updated on the latest employee benefits and industry trends so that Meyer can provide competitive benefits to all employees.

The ideal person for this role is one who is interested in making a significant impact in one of the most valued and visible groups in the company and excels in a fast-paced, high-engagement environment with an extraordinary desire to innovate. This individual must possess a high level of customer service excellence, with a passion to help others by providing the best possible employee experience.

Essential Job Duties:

Directly responsible for the overall administration of the Meyer/Hestan employee benefits program including enrollments, plan changes, beneficiary designations, and terminations.
Provide HR benefits expertise in the areas of leave administration, health and wellness initiatives, medical benefits, accommodations, and overall wellbeing. By researching employee benefits plans and vendors to identify those that present the best value.
Collaborate with HR team to champion and accelerate a culture of excellence in which people feel engaged and inspired to deliver top business results.
Lead core HR Benefits processes, such as yearly open enrollment, health, and wellness fairs, etc.
Works closely and strategically with benefits brokers to negotiate with vendors and administrators for the best plans, options, and rates.
Builds collaborative relationships with benefits carriers and benefits brokers to resolve employee coverage issues.
Responsible for conducting monthly/quarterly audits to ensure all benefits plans and wellness programs are accurate and in compliance.
Evaluate and revise internal processes to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, rules, and regulations, including ERISA, OFLA, FMLA, ADA, ACA, and Cobra.
Works with HR leadership to elevate employee programs (benefits, wellness programs, health fairs, etc.).
Partner with HR leadership on the execution of the company Wellness Program. Stays on top of industry trends and makes recommendations for changes and suggestions for additions to current programs.
Works closely with Payroll Administrator to ensure benefits deductions are accurate for payroll processing.
Monitor COBRA vendor to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, including distribution of notices.
Track benefit actuals for annual budget purposes.
Responds to 401(k) inquiries from managers and employees relating to enrollments, plan changes, and contribution amounts. Manages the annual catch-up contribution enrollment.
Administer requests for leaves of absence for employees following state, federal law, and company policy. Partner with managers regarding personal leave requests.
Evaluate and assist with determining whether reasonable accommodation requests can be met per government regulations.
Perform all other duties as assigned by the HR leadership team.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources with a focus on benefits administration preferred.
Three (3) to five (5) years prior experience as an HR Benefits Specialist and/or equivalent position in an HR department required.
Two (2) to three (3) years of experience handling company benefits, leaves, and other related benefits functions.
Knowledge of general federal and state HR/Benefits laws is highly preferred.
Must possess a high level of integrity and confidentiality to handle sensitive company and employee information.
Proficiency in the use of HRIS systems required. Knowledge of UKG is highly preferred.
Must be computer literate and have proficient knowledge with MS Office including Word, Excel, and google docs required.
Must be extremely detail-oriented and possess the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills.
Must be able to interface with employees at all levels of the organization.
Bilingual in English and Spanish desired, but not required.
Must possess the ability to be positive, flexible, and a team player.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed primarily indoors. Lighting is artificial. Equipment used includes standard office equipment i.e. computer, telephone, fax machine, and copier. Physical demands include sitting, walking, standing, bending over, kneeling, repetitive use of hands, grasping, pushing, pulling, and lifting to 25 lbs. Hours and days are Monday through Friday with occasional evenings and weekends. The position requires close contact with Meyer employees and service vendors. Position based in Vallejo, CA with a hybrid work model of (2 days in the office/3 days remote). Depending on the need this position may be required to work in the Fairfield, CA office at times.