Benefits & Leave Specialist

Benefits & Leave Specialist

Requirements

• 4-year degree in Communications, Human Resources, or Business Administration or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of experience in either a benefits administration, leave management or equivalent experience.
• Strong knowledge of benefits plans, FMLA, ADA, and other leave-related laws.
• Experience with HRIS (Human Resources Information System) and leave management software.

Responsibilities

• Administer Breeze’s employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, life insurance, disability insurance, and wellness programs.
• Coordinate benefits enrollment for new hires, open enrollment periods, and qualifying life events (QLEs).
• Ensure benefits are administered in compliance with relevant laws (e.g., ACA, HIPAA, ERISA, etc.).
• Maintain accurate records of employee benefits elections and ensure timely and accurate updates.
• Oversee all types of employee leave, including but not limited to FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) and non-FMLA leaves, short-term disability, long-term disability, paid time off (PTO), sick leave, and workers’ compensation.
• Ensure that leave of absence requests are processed accurately and in a timely manner.
• Communicate with employees about their leave options, requirements, and entitlements.
• Maintain and update leave records in accordance with Breeze policies and legal requirements.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws governing employee benefits and leave programs.
• Prepare and maintain required reports for internal and external audits.
• Assist in the preparation of documentation and employee communications regarding benefits and leave policies.
• Keep up-to-date with changes in benefits-related laws and regulations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employees with benefits and leave inquiries.
• Educate employees on benefits options, plan features, and the process for requesting and managing leave.
• Assist employees with troubleshooting issues related to benefits enrollment, claims, or leave.
• Generate and analyze reports on benefits utilization, leave balances, and compliance metrics.
• Track and report on key metrics related to leave management (e.g., absence rates, costs, etc.).
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee benefits and leave records in HR systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification in benefits administration or leave management (e.g., Certified Employee Benefit Specialist [CEBS], SHRM-CP, or similar certifications).
• Experience with airlines or other transportation industry organizations
• Experience with Workday