Benefits Specialist

Northern NV Jobs; Elko (NV); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Equinox Gold is seeking a Benefits Specialist to join our Nevada operations on the ground floor of the South Railroad Project. This role delivers a positive employee experience by administering benefit programs, ensuring accurate payroll, and supporting workforce retention across mine-site and remote locations.

You will manage health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement plans, and ancillary programs; coordinate open enrollment; handle claims, timekeeping, and payroll accuracy; ensure

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years in HR, payroll and benefits.
• Minimum 5 years in mining or related industry.
• Strong benefits regulatory knowledge and compliance.
• Familiarity with payroll regulations and HRIS platforms.
• Able to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Proficient in U.S. and Nevada employment laws.

Responsibilities

• Manage health, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement plans.
• Administer ancillary benefit programs such as hospital indemnity and pet insurance.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment and education sessions.
• Resolve claims and enrollment discrepancies; ensure payroll accuracy.
• Coordinate leave for occupational and nonoccupational injuries/illnesses.
• Oversee payroll processing and timekeeping reconciliation.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures and internal controls.
• Supervise payroll staff and collaborate with Finance.
• Prepare benefit reports and respond to employee questions.

Skills

HR leadership

Payroll processing

Benefits administration

Regulatory compliance

HRIS proficiency

Payroll systems

Communication

Confidentiality

Nevada employment law

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Psychology, or Business

Tools

HRIS platforms

Payroll systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Are you looking to make your mark and grow your career with a company on the rise? We'd love to have you on our team!

Equinox Gold is a growth-focused gold producer headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, operating a diversified portfolio of high-quality, long-life mines across Canada, the United States, Mexico and Nicaragua. Guided by our core values of integrity, excellence, accountability, and teamwork, we foster a safe, inclusive, and rewarding workplace where a talented, experienced team works together to deliver reliable operations, responsible mining, and long-term value to its shareholders and host communities.

Get in at the ground floor with our South Railroad Project — a construction-ready, open-pit heap leach project located on the world-class Carlin Trend in Nevada, one of the most prolific gold-producing regions on the planet. The project is backed by a completed feasibility study outlining an average of 130,000 ounces of gold per year over the first five years and an initial 10-year mine life. Join us at this pivotal stage and help bring Nevada's next gold mine to life.

Position Summary

As Equinox Gold continues to grow, we are seeking a Benefits Specialist to join our team. This role is critical to delivering a positive employee experience, supporting workforce retention, and ensuring employees have access to the benefits resources and information needed throughout their employment lifecycle.

You will also administer employee benefit programs and ensure accurate and timely pay for a workforce that includes mine-site employees, shift workers, salaried staff, and employees in remote locations.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and retirement plans.
• Administer ancillary benefit programs such as critical illness, hospital indemnity, and pet insurance.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment activities.
• Resolve claim issues and enrollment discrepancies.
• Coordinate leave and disability programs for occupational and nonoccupational injuries and illnesses.
• Support programs related to occupational health, wellness, and employee assistance services.
• Oversee the preparation and processing of biweekly payrolls.
• Review payroll data for accuracy before final submission.
• Ensure proper calculation of wages, overtime, bonuses, deductions, and taxes.
• Verify timekeeping and attendance records.
• Work closely with the finance department to reconcile payroll accounts and general ledger transactions.
• Supervise, train, and mentor payroll staff.
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures and internal controls.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations affecting benefits programs.
• Maintain required documentation and conduct audits of benefits data.
• Prepare reports related to benefit participation, costs, and trends.
• Explain benefit options and eligibility requirements.
• Respond to employee questions regarding medical coverage, retirement plans, leave programs, and claims.
• Conduct new-hire benefit orientations and employee education sessions.

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in human resources, payroll, and benefits.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the mining industry or a related industry.
• Strong understanding of benefits regulations and compliance requirements.
• Familiarity with payroll regulations, payroll systems, and HRIS platforms.
• Strong leadership and employee relations capabilities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive information.
• Working knowledge of U.S. and Nevada employment and labor laws.
• Effective communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Familiarity with data protection regulations and protocols.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer.
• Must possess a valid driver's license

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Psychology, Business, or a related field.

At Equinox Gold, our commitment to teamwork means building a workforce that is as diverse as the communities in which we operate. We are committed to an accessible and inclusive recruitment process and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.