Skip to content
Benefits Specialist
| Company | Fermilab |
|---|
| Location | Batavia, IL, USA |
|---|
| Salary | $69300 – $98500 |
|---|
| Type | Full-Time |
|---|
| Degrees | Bachelor’s |
|---|
| Experience Level | Mid Level, Senior |
|---|
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in human resources or business administration desirable – humanities or liberal arts acceptable – with a minimum of 5+ years of experience.
- ERISA, PPACA, IRS code, COBRA, and FMLA knowledge and experience required.
- HRIS/HCM experience required, particularly SAP, Peoplesoft or Workday.
- Intermediate to advanced Excel skills required. Familiarity with Access helpful.
- Ability to compile and analyze data quickly and accurately to create meaningful reports.
- Excellent communication and project management skills. High attention to detail.
Responsibilities
- Coordinates benefit plans and programs for the Lab, ensuring benefits are administered as designed and in compliance with federal and state regulations and DOE policies.
- Manages benefit vendors to review and monitor plan spend, ongoing compliance requirements, cost savings options, market trends, service issues, data requests, and overall plan performance. Identifies opportunities and proposes solutions.
- Responsible for Lab-wide processes such as leave of absence and open enrollment. This includes but is not limited to project management, resource management, process maps, associated technology changes, and process or program testing.
- Performs the Workday Benefits Partner role, including approval of all benefits events, monthly audit reports, troubleshooting enrollment and vendor file issues, upgrade testing, and reviewing the impact of job changes on benefits. Works with the Enterprise Applications team to reach resolution, and reviews HCM configuration changes with benefits’ team management.
- Partners with the Wellbeing Program Administrator to leverage wellbeing programs and resources in Fermilab benefits programs and offerings.
- Develops and implements an ongoing benefit communications strategy using a variety of channels (email, intranet, in-person, etc.) to engage employees throughout the year.
- In cooperation with the Benefits & Wellbeing team: Maintains, updates, and promotes usage of the employee benefit website. Ensures website content is updated, accurate, and offers access to all documents required by DOL, IRS, ERISA, and other regulatory bodies.
- Provides customer service support, answering questions and resolving inquiries regarding benefit eligibility coverage, plan provisions, claim issues, policies, and provisions.
- Provides outreach and communication to new employees during the orientation process and retirement planning seminars.
- Works with and advises employees considering retirement from the Lab, including those choosing phased retirement. This includes ensuring post-retirement and post-termination notices are provided and following up on required elections and paperwork.
- Maintains a strong knowledge of benefit plans, Laboratory policies, and legislation relating to employee benefit plans and recent changes.
- Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.
- Abides by and is responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health and safety regulations and practices pertinent to this position.
Preferred Qualifications
- Some coursework towards Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) certification desirable.
