Benefits Specialist

Action for Boston Community Development; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) is seeking a Benefits Specialist to manage leaves of absence, retirement plan programs, and benefits administration. You will ensure accurate data flows between vendors, payroll, and HR, while upholding compliance and clear employee guidance on insurance and savings benefits.

In this role, you will counsel staff on leave eligibility, monitor retirement plan activity, and coordinate with plan administrators and payroll to process changes and

Qualifications

• Minimum high school diploma with HR-related coursework.
• At least 3 years in HR focused on benefits, compliance, or data analysis.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and project management abilities.
• Proficient in MS Office, Google Suite, and database management.
• Experience with HRIS, benefits administration, and compensation.
• Keeps current on compliance and legal issues affecting benefits.
• Ability to work sensitively with individuals and groups.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as advocate with benefits vendors and leave administrator to resolve issues.
• Counsel employees on family, medical, or personal leave and guide them through steps.
• Oversee leave data and ensure accurate storage by HR systems.
• Regularly reconcile information between leave administrators and HR systems.
• Provide regular updates to managers on employee leaves and recommend next steps.
• Prepare communications regarding status of continued employment.
• Maintain knowledge of ABCD policies and related leave laws.
• Support retirement plan administration, including auto-enrollment and deferral changes.
• Monitor retirement plan loans and coordinate with plan administrator and payroll.
• Collaborate with retirement plan admins, advisors, auditors, payroll to resolve issues.
• Validate information to retirement plan admins; review reports.
• Assist with annual compliance census data and reports.
• Keep up-to-date on retirement plan changes and compliance.
• Develop retirement plan documents and support recordkeeping.
• Support retirement plan audit as needed.
• Monitor HR system changes with IRS limits and insurance rates; test changes.
• Suggest process improvements and ensure data quality.
• Support open enrollment and life events via online portal and carriers.
• Perform other related duties.

Skills

HR experience

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Project management

MS Office

Google Suite

Database management

HRIS

Benefits administration

Compensation

Compliance knowledge

Sensitivity/people skills

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma

HR coursework

Public Administration background

Tools

NA

Job description

Benefits Specialist

Department: Human Resources

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Downtown Boston - Tremont Street

Compensation: $62,000 - $64,000 / year

Description

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for monitoring the organization's leave of absence program, retirement plan programs, and supporting benefits administration at ABCD. This role will ensure accurate data flow between leave administrators, retirement plan administrators, payroll, and Human Resources. This position works to create accuracy, compliance, and consistency in the administration of leave and retirement benefits, while providing employees with clear guidance and support all insurance and savings benefits.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as an employee advocate with benefits vendors and the leave of absence administrator to resolve issues, escalating as appropriate.
• Counsel employees who need family, medical, or personal leave, including educating them on how to formally apply and next steps.
• Oversee all leave of absence data maintained by leave administrators and provided to ABCD; monitor systems to ensure this information is accurately stored and maintained by HR.
• Regularly reconcile information between leave administrators and HR systems to ensure accurate data is available to HR staff, payroll, and program leadership.
• Leverage technology to ensure managers receive regular updates on employee leaves, and make recommendations on next steps based on applicable laws, best practices, and organizational standards.
• Review and prepare formal communications to employees regarding the status of their continued employment.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of ABCD policies and how they interact with applicable leave laws.
• Support day-to-day administration of ABCD's retirement plan, including auto-enrollment, deferral changes, and loans — ensuring contributions begin as soon as administratively possible and stay within IRS limits.
• Routinely monitor retirement plan loans to ensure new loans and re-amortizations start on time and completed loans end as expected, avoiding overpayment; coordinate with the plan administrator and payroll to process corrections.
• Collaborate with retirement plan administrators, advisors, auditors, payroll, and HR systems consultants to research and troubleshoot issues so employee elections and loan repayments process successfully.
• Regularly validate information provided to retirement plan administrators; review weekly reports and resolve discrepancies.
• Support annual compliance testing by preparing and validating census data and reports.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of retirement plan compliance changes and escalate any concerns about processes that may not align with plan requirements.
• Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of retirement plan documents and design.
• Maintain retirement plan documents to support recordkeeping requirements.
• Support the retirement plan audit as needed.
• Monitor and update the HR system as IRS limits or insurance rates change, working with payroll and consultants to test changes.
• Make recommendations for process improvements and provide quality control over all benefits and leave-related data.
• Support open enrollment and life events processes using the online portal and with carriers.
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• A minimum of a High School Diploma or equivalent and additional courses toward a certification or degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, or a related field.
• At least three years of responsibility within a Human Resources environment with a focus on benefits, compliance, or data analysis.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and database management.
• Demonstrated ability in Human Resources, including Compensation, Benefits and HRIS.
• Ability to maintain up-to-date knowledge of compliance and legal issues.
• Ability to work sensitively with individuals and groups.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Why Work Here

• Make a Difference: Every day, your work directly impacts the lives of thousands in the Greater Boston community, empowering them and making positive, lasting change.
• Inclusive Environment: ABCD values the diversity of its workforce, with an inclusive culture that respects individuality and promotes collaboration.
• Continuous Learning: We offer numerous training and development opportunities, ensuring our staff remain at the forefront of community action methodologies and strategies.
• Comprehensive Benefits: At ABCD, we take care of our own, providing a competitive benefits package, including health coverage and retirement plans.
• A Legacy of Impact: Join an organization that boasts a legacy spanning over half a century, consistently championing the rights and needs of our community's most vulnerable.
• Teamwork & Camaraderie: Be a part of a passionate team, united in their mission to combat poverty, and ensure every individual can reach their fullest potential.