Benefits Specialist

The Human Resources (HR) Directorate, led by the Associate Lab Director for Human Resources (ALD HR)/ Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), manages all Human Capital Management functions initiatives including, but not limited to, scientific and non-scientific employment, compensation, benefits, employee and labor relations, training and development, occupational medicine, and guest/user/visitor center. The HR Directorate supports a highly diverse, multicultural, and international population of employees, guests, and users.

The Benefits department with BSA offers a comprehensive Benefits program that addresses immediate and long-term needs of our associates- from medical, dental, vision care and life insurance coverage to retirement income and more.

Position Description:

The BSA Benefits Office has an open full-time position for a Benefits Specialist with advanced knowledge and experience in the administration and communication of employee benefit programs, including retirement plans, health and welfare benefits, life insurances and voluntary benefit offerings. This individual ensures compliance with applicable laws and policies while providing outstanding service to current employees, retirees and other stakeholders. The Benefit Specialist will also assist in developing and delivering educational materials and resources that support employee understanding and engagement with their benefits, communicate effectively with all stakeholders, and has superior interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the administration of multiple benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending, health savings and health reimbursement accounts, life, AD&D, long term disability insurance benefits, and other voluntary plans ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations (e.g., ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA) as well as internal policies and procedures

• Serve as a reliable resource and respond to inquiries from managers, employees, retirees, long-term disability recipients and vendors on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, claims, status changes and other inquiries related to benefit programs, HR policies and procedures, and applicable laws such as ERISA, Section 125, COBRA and ACA

• Conduct new hire orientation, review and approve enrollments, terminations and changes in benefit status in the HRIS

• Apply knowledge and experience to identify, analyze and obtain information pertinent to investigating, formulating creative solutions and successfully resolving complex benefits issues, including enrollment, claims, contributions, etc., for managers, participants and vendors. Provide recommendations for process improvements to supervisor and manager

• Counsel employees on retiree benefit transitions and coordinate communications related to benefit changes and options including Medicare as well as host informational sessions for employees nearing retirement

• Support benefits events and activities, such as coordination of annual open enrollment, plan renewals, review and distribution of employee communications

• Assist with development, implementation and integration of new or changing benefits plans, processes and vendors, system updates, and troubleshooting issues

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business or related field or equivalent experience, generally on the basis of 2:1 (experience: college) years

• Minimum four (4) years related work experience showing progressively more complex responsibilities in a substantive and relevant professional HR benefits position; additional education in fields specifically related to the experience requirements listed above may offset qualifying experience

• Must be highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

• Extensive knowledge of insurance laws to ensure compliance

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to provide exceptional customer service through active listening, patience, and respond with resolutions or actionable next steps

• Possess a high level of personal integrity with an emphasis on confidentiality and discretion in compliance with HIPAA

• Independently manage, prioritize, and complete projects that have competing priorities in a fast paced-high volume environment meeting required deadlines

• Ensure timely resolution of pending issues through effective follow-up and escalation

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Previous experience administering the 401(k), retirement plan, non-discrimination testing, the annual audit, forfeiture and revenue credits, filing of 5500s and applicable laws and regulations

• Served as the primary point of contact for employee and retiree inquiries regarding defined contribution retirement plans

• Previous experience with processing retirement applications accurately and in compliance communicating retirement benefit information

• Experience using Workday or equivalent HRIS for benefits administration

• Knowledge of absence management and various types of leaves including FMLA, NYSPFL, LTD, LOA

Additional Information:

• This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship

Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. This is a multi-level role and the full salary range for this position is $80300 - $93667 / year. You will be placed at the level and salary commensurate with your experience. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.