Benefits Specialist

Description Be the change you wish to see in the world! Come join our team to empower children and families in our communities to transform their lives and develop to their full potential. Pressley Ridge Benefits The well-being of our employees and their families is important to us. At Pressley Ridge, we strive to provide the most competitive and comprehensive employee benefit programs that are affordable and help you and your family achieve and maintain your best possible health. Medical coverage available with a Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer match Prescription coverage Dental and vision plans Patient advocate and Medicare specialists available at no cost Dependent Care Flexible Savings Account Wellness incentive (up to $250) 403b with up to 9% employer give/match Free life insurance and AD&D Paid Time Off (PTO) 9 paid holidays (7 recognized holidays plus a floating and birthday holiday per year) Tuition reimbursement (if applicable) Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Position Summary The Benefits and Leave Manager is responsible for the administration, compliance, communication, and continuous improvement of the organization's employee benefits and wellness programs, and employee leave administration. This position manages all aspects of leaves, including Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), workers' compensation coordination, paid and unpaid leave programs, and other leaves. This position also oversees employee benefit and wellness programs, compliance reporting, and process improvements. This role balances oversight of benefits programs with administration of leave cases, ensuring employees receive timely support while maintaining organizational compliance and effectiveness. Essential Responsibilities Administer employee benefit and wellness programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement plans, employee assistance programs and voluntary benefits Serve as the primary contact for employee and manager benefit and leave inquiries and issue resolution Coordinate with benefit vendors, brokers and third-party administrators Manage the full lifecycle of employee leave requests including FMLA, ADA accommodations, parental leave, military leave, bereavement leave, workers' compensation leave, and other federal, state and organizational leave programs Analyze benefits and leave data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement Maintain data within the HRIS and other HR systems or tracking Ensure compliance with federal, state and local laws related to employee benefits and leave administration, including FMLA, ADA, PWFA, USERRA, and applicable state leave laws Qualifications Education/Credentials/Licensure: Requires a bachelor’s degree in human resources or a related field. Master’s degree preferred. PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP preferred. Requires a valid driver’s license, safe driving record, and auto insurance required. Experience: Requires a minimum of five (5) years of experience in benefits administration and leave management. Requires strong knowledge FMLA, ADA, PWFA, workers' compensation, and related state employment laws. Requires experience working with HRIS, benefits administration systems, and payroll systems. Supervisory experience preferred. Clearances: State Police FBI Child Abuse Clearances CPSL Mandated Reporter-Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse training per state regulation. Working Conditions Physical Demands This position requires operating a keypad device 75% of the day and electronic/office equipment 25% of the day. Travel is required approximately two (2) times per month but can vary and works in weather conditions for about 25% of the day. Fingers, thumbs, hands, wrists, elbows, legs and feet are all routinely used throughout the day. The lower and upper torso is used 75% of the day. Employee must meet minimum requirements for hearing, speech, and vision. Walking is required for 10% of the day. Standing occurs 10% of the day. Sitting happens 90% of the day. Reaching above the shoulder as well as bending and twisting are performed 10% of the day. This function routinely lifts 25 pounds, 4 times per day. The maximum lift is 50 pounds, 1 time per day. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.   Mental Demands Frequently performs multiple tasks and occasionally makes quick decisions. Continually needs to concentrate, handle distractions, and a diversity of problems. Environmental Factors Environmental factors require this position offices and various Pressley Ridge locations/ program inclusive of schools and residential settings. Travel, local and overnight, to various programs/ regions is expected on an as-needed basis to fulfill the duties/ responsibilities of the position. Working Hours Traditional office hours with flexibility to meet department and employee/ program needs. Qualifications Skills Behaviors : Motivations : Education Required Bachelors or better in Human Resource Administration or related field. Preferred Masters or better in Human Resource Administration or related field. Experience Required Requires experience working with HRIS, benefits administration systems, and payroll systems. Requires strong knowledge FMLA, ADA, PWFA, workers' compensation, and related state employment laws 5 years: Experience in benefits administration and leave management. Preferred Supervisory experience preferred.