Benefits & Leave Specialist

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, the Benefits & Leave Specialist is responsible for administering assigned Leaves and Disability benefit programs and providing benefits administration and support for the benefits process. The Benefits & Leave Specialist is responsible for ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and timeliness in the day-to-day duties of assigned programs. This individual will work closely with Finance and Payroll to drive consistency and compliance in all benefit-related matters.

This is a hybrid position based in Austin, Texas with a requirement to be in the office two days per week.

Compensation: $60,000

Essential Responsibilities & Duties

• Advises employees on the interpretation of benefits & leave programs, policies, and procedures.
• Performs customer service functions in an exemplary manner by responding and answering employee requests and questions.
• Conducts day-to-day administration of benefit programs to include 401k retirement plan, medical/dental/ vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, worker’s compensation, Section 125, COBRA, Health Savings Accounts and Open Enrollment etc.
• Manages Family and Medical Leave (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities (ADA), Leave of Absence programs.
• Maintains accurate and thorough employee leave files, records, and tracking reports
• Engages with employees regarding accommodation requests, administers, and tracks all Americans with Disabilities (ADA) accommodation requests.
• Effectively supports employees and supervisors to navigate leaves, accommodations and time-keeping functions and serves as an advisor in navigating these systems
• Conducts leave-related manager training
• Delivers new hire orientation benefits presentations
• Coordinators with benefits brokers on complex benefits administration and/or employee benefits issues.
• Facilitates qualifying life event benefits changes.
• Maintains compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommended best practices; reviews policies and practices to maintain compliance.
• Conducts audits and maintains all employee benefits and leave records and files in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in HR Management, Organizational Development, Business Management with an emphasis in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
• 3 years' related experience in the HR field including benefits and leave administration.
• Equivalent combination of related education and experience.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and navigate sensitive information with tact
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to easily connect with all types of people
• Ability to problem solve and think strategically, independently, and execute proactively
• Must be a self-starter, and possess a great “no task is too small” attitude
• Always pushing things forward and simplifying our processes and procedures.
• Excellent customer service focus, attention to detail and organization skills
• Highly effective verbal and written communication skills
• One who can make decisions, exercise judgment, and interface effectively with all levels of staff, clients and vendors
• Passion for building and developing effective relationships with employees at all levels of the organization
• Exceptional emotional intelligence skills to build, cultivate, and facilitate strong working relationships
• Project management and problem-solving skills with the ability to anticipate organizational needs and use independent judgment in resolving issues
• Able to work a flexible schedule as needed to support a 24-hour organization; will be required to attend meetings which may be scheduled during hours outside of traditional working hours
• Can handle very challenging situations, including daunting tasks and complex interpersonal issues, with a calm, assured, unflagging approach
• Attention to detail a must
• Ability to analyze problems, find solutions and effectively communicate with all levels of supervisory and non-supervisory employees
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with MS Office suite, Paylocity, or other HR systems, and SharePoint applications
• Skill in performing statistical analysis
• A consistent positive solution-oriented response that includes communicating about challenges to the appropriate person in a constructive and productive manner
• Ability to manage numerous initiatives to meet deadlines and to deliver high-quality outputs including the ability to re-order work and priorities in response to demand and crises
• The ability to organize people and materials to ensure that tasks are undertaken and that measures are put in place to ensure compliance within all areas of operations
• Knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and strategies to recognize and address systemic barriers faced by historically marginalized communities, including, but not limited to, people of color; people with disabilities; and queer, transgender, non-binary, and otherwise-identified people

Preferred Qualifications

• PHR or SHRM-CP Certification
• Strong Experience in benefits management and leave administration
• Experience in non-profit HR management

Other Requirements/Working Conditions

• This is a hybrid position based in Austin, Texas with a requirement to be in the office two days per week.
• Must have a home workspace that is confidential, secure and free from distraction.
• Must maintain standards of confidentiality related to agency information.
• Prolonged sitting or standing using keyboard, phone, and computer.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline operates 24/7. All work is conducted in alignment with the values of The Hotline. These include:

• Integrity: We conduct every aspect of our work to the highest ethical standards and hold ourselves accountable to them. We value transparency and staunchly safeguard the confidentiality of those we serve.
• Thought Leadership: We are committed to learning constantly, developing innovative practices and evolving strategies as necessary to achieve our vision and mission.
• Excellence: We value performance and results. We aspire to be the best and to embrace the challenge to exceed expectations.
• Collaboration: We work as a team within the organization and with a wide range of partners outside of it, in the belief that only through these partnerships will we achieve the broadest impact.
• Social justice: We value diverse perspectives and strive to incorporate an anti-oppression lens in all aspects of our work.
• Caring: We conduct our work with compassion and in the spirit of inclusion, and we meet all individuals with respect and without judgment.
• Survivor-centered: Our work begins and ends with the interests of survivors of relationship abuse in mind.
  

This description only includes essential functions of the job. These statements are not intended to be construed as exhaustive of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required for this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instruction and to perform any other job-related duties required by the job objectives, supervisor, and mission and values of The Hotline. This description does not modify any employee’s at-will-status and is not a contract for continued employment of any duration.