Benefits + Leave Specialist

Job Description:

Position Summary:

The Benefits + Leave Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day administration of employee benefits, wellness, disability, and leave programs. The incumbent serves as the primary point of contact for employee benefit and leave related inquiries and provides timely, high-quality customer service to employees, regulatory compliance, operational excellence and data integrity. The Benefits + Leave Specialist processes benefit changes, administers leave of absence programs, maintains accurate records, and supports other benefit and wellness-related initiatives. The incumbent partners with employees, leaders, vendors, payroll, and Human Resources to deliver an exceptional employee experience while supporting organizational compliance and benefit program effectiveness.

Primary Responsibilities & Duties:

Benefits Administration & Employee Support

• Serve as the primary contact for employee benefits, leave of absence, disability, and workers’ compensation questions and requests

• Educate employees regarding eligibility, enrollment, qualifying life events, and benefit programs

• Process benefit enrollments, terminations, COBRA coordination, status changes, and qualifying life events within HRIS and vendor systems

• Administer programs in accordance with ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, COBRA, FMLA, and other applicable federal and state laws

• Maintain current knowledge of benefit laws, leave of absence regulations, and industry best practices

• Partner with benefit carriers and third-party administrators to resolve escalated employee issues and ensure service level expectations are met

• Troubleshoot issues and escalate complex benefit, leave, and accommodation issues to the Manager, Benefits

• Prepare and analyze routine benefit and leave utilization reports

• Monitor benefit trends, leave activity, and program participation to support decision-making and compliance efforts

Leave & Disability Administration

• Administer leave of absence cases (FMLA, ADA, state-specific leave, personal leave, disability, etc.), ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations

• Provide guidance to employees regarding leaves of absence and disability entitlements

• Maintain data integrity to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations and track return-to-work timelines

• Maintain accurate leave, and employee data within HRIS and vendor systems

• Process reasonable accommodation requests in compliance with ADA standards

• Coordinate with employees, leaders, leave carrier, Human Resources, and Payroll to ensure leaves of absence and disability claims are processed accurately and timely

• Conduct periodic reviews of leave administration practices to promote consistency, accuracy, and compliance

• Establish and maintain standardized leave administration processes, templates, forms, and best practices

Benefit Communications & Initiatives

• Draft and support employee communications related to benefits and wellness programs, including open enrollment content

• Update benefits information on company intranet as needed

• Support implementation of new programs and process improvements from planning through rollout, including communications and employee education

• Support open enrollment preparation, testing, employee communications, and employee assistance

• Participate in compliance audits

• Plan and support implementation of employee well-being initiatives

Billing & Invoice Reconciliation

• Responsible for reconciling benefit-related invoices with enrollment records

• Route invoices for processing and payment

• Track vendor invoices and payments to ensure timely remittance

• Proactively identify and resolve billing discrepancies, partnering directly with vendors and Finance to correct errors undefined

Knowledge / Skills:

• Solid knowledge of benefits-related regulations, including HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, and state leave laws
• Ability to explain complex benefit and leave rules in plain language and excellent customer service skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Strong attention to detail, reconciling records and invoices accurately
• Ability to self-manage and prioritize responsibilities
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and strict confidentiality
• Experience with HRIS or benefits administration systems (Workday experience preferred)
• Highly resourceful collaborator, with the ability to also be effective independently

Minimum Requirements:

• Associate’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field, or equivalent work experience
• 2+ years’ benefits administration or progressive Human Resources experience
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint skills
• Solid knowledge of pertinent federal and state Human Resources regulations and compliance requirements affecting employee benefits programs, including the ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, workers’ compensation, Medicare/Social Security, and DOL requirements

Everwise is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Welcome

Welcome to Everwise Credit Union Careers!

About Us

Everwise Credit Union puts people’s needs first, so no matter your story or your money savvy, we meet you where you are and equip you with the confidence and tools you need to get ahead—wherever you’re going.

Originally founded as Teachers Credit Union, helping people understand and manage their financial future has always been central to what we do, even as we’ve expanded our community beyond teachers. Today, we serve more than 300,000 members across nearly 60 locations in the heart of the Midwest.

Through personalized resources, services, tools and unparalleled access to innovative technology, we help everyone—teenagers to retirees, business leaders to the under-served—feel more in control of their money and their future.

With every interaction, we seek to fulfill our purpose of helping people grow into their dreams.

Everwise is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.