Benefits Specialist

The Center for Elders’ Independence is a PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the elderly) organization (PO) that uses an interdisciplinary team approach for care planning and implementing purposeful high quality, affordable, and integrated health care services to the elderly.  Our elderly meet PACE requirements as prescribed by CMS and are referred to as participants.  Our PO includes Adult Day Health Centers and primary care clinics, promoting participant autonomy, quality of life and the ability for individuals to live in their communities

THE POSITION: The Benefits Specialist supports the administration and delivery of CEI’s employee benefits programs. This role ensures employees understand and utilize their benefits effectively, maintains compliance with regulatory requirements, and contributes to the overall employee experience. The position works closely with the Benefits Lead and reports to the Chief Human Resources Officer.

The salary range for the Benefits Specialist position at Center for Elders’ Independence is $69.006 - $103,510 per year.  The salary is based on the market for the Benefits Specialist position as well as experience, skills, abilities and work history.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Administer and maintain employee benefits programs including health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and retirement savings plans.
• Assist with benefits enrollment, changes, and terminations including the annual open enrollment process.
• Educate employees on benefit offerings through presentations, one-on-one consultations, and written communications.
• Assists in administering all leave programs, including FMLA / CFRA, state-specific leaves, ADA accommodations, Workers Compensation, and company-sponsored leave policies. Coordinate with employees, managers, and third-party administrators to ensure timely and compliant processing; including return to work processes.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations (e.g., ACA, FMLA, COBRA).
• Liaise with insurance advisors, carriers and vendors to resolve issues and ensure service quality.
• Support open enrollment processes including system setup, communications, and troubleshooting.
• Conduct audits of benefits data to ensure accuracy and integrity.
• Prepare reports on benefits utilization, costs, and trends for HR leadership.
• Stay current on industry trends and regulatory changes affecting employee benefits.
• Administer Leave of Absence programs, including FMLA, CFRA, ADA, and other statutory or company-sponsored leave policies;
• Coordinate and manage Workers’ Compensation claims, ensuring timely reporting, communication with third-party administrators, and compliance with applicable laws and internal policies.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Healthcare Administration, Business, or related field.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in benefits administration, preferably in a healthcare setting.
• Knowledge of employee benefits laws and regulations (ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, etc.).
• Proficiency in HRIS systems, benefit related technology enablement, and Microsoft Office Suite.  Preference for ADP, ServiceNow, and other AI enabled technologies.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to explain complex information clearly.
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• CEBS or similar certification preferred.

The above job description is intended to communicate the general function of the mentioned position and by no means shall be considered an exhaustive or complete outline of the specific tasks and functions that will be required.  CEI reserves the right to change job descriptions, site assignments, and or work hours as required by the needs of the program.  All employees are expected to perform their duties within their ability as required by the job and/or as requested by management.