Benefits & Leave Strategy Lead

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach; Lakewood (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach is seeking a Benefits and Leave Specialist to administer employee benefits and support leave programs, ensuring compliance with federal and California laws and bank policies.

The role coordinates enrollment, maintains records in HRIS, and collaborates with brokers, carriers, and administrators. It requires strong analytical skills, discretion, and experience in HR operations.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of federal and California benefits, leave, disability accommodation, wage replacement, and employment requirements.
• Knowledge of ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, FMLA, CFRA, ADA, PDL, Section 125, Medicare, and Department of Labor requirements.
• Knowledge of health and welfare benefits administration principles, including eligibility, enrollment, claims support, payroll deductions, open enrollment, and vendor management.
• Knowledge of Bank policies, privacy requirements, and relevant banking regulations.

Responsibilities

• Administer health, welfare, and wellness benefit programs, including eligibility, enrollments, life events, coverage changes, claims support, and terminations.
• Serve as primary resource for employees and managers regarding benefit plans, eligibility, enrollment requirements, claims, and coverage.
• Maintain accurate benefits records and employee data within HRIS and benefit administration systems while safeguarding confidential information.
• Reconcile benefit eligibility data against carrier invoices; audit payroll deductions, investigate discrepancies, and ensure data accuracy and integrity.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment activities, including employee communications, system updates, vendor coordination, and enrollment support.
• Partner with brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators on benefit plan administration, renewals, wellness initiatives, and employee education.
• Ensure timely distribution of required benefit notices, communications, and reporting, including compliance with COBRA, ACA, and other applicable regulations.
• Monitor vendor performance and service levels and assist with the resolution of benefits-related service issues.
• Monitor COBRA status for terminated employees; coordinate with the vendor, maintain required reporting, and communicate timely status updates and requirements to affected employees.
• Be the Car Fleet Administrator and maintain repair invoices, DMV registration records and WEX gas milage records.

Skills

Critical thinking

Judgment

Problem-solving

Organization

Attention to detail

Communication

Customer service

Relationship-building

Discretion

Professionalism

Time management

Prioritization

Deadline-oriented

Stakeholder management

Vendor management

HRIS

Benefits systems

Microsoft Office

Excel

Word

Outlook

Numerical skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

HRIS

Benefits systems

Job description

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach is seeking a Benefits and Leave Specialist to administer employee benefits and support leave programs, ensuring compliance with federal and California laws and bank policies.

The role coordinates enrollment, maintains records in HRIS, and collaborates with brokers, carriers, and administrators. It requires strong analytical skills, discretion, and experience in HR operations.