Benefits Specialist

AES Drilling Fluids; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer paid life insurance

Disability insurance

Medical / Dental / Vision

Paid time off

401K - 6% match

Other benefits

Job summary

AES Drilling Fluids is seeking a Benefits Specialist to administer and support employee benefit programs, leave processes, and benefits compliance. You will collaborate with employees, managers, carriers, and third-party administrators to ensure accurate benefits administration and strong employee support.

The role reports to the HR Manager and covers self-funded plans, open enrollment, and regulatory compliance across multiple states, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, and HIPAA.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of employee benefits administration experience.
• Strong knowledge of self-funded health plans, open enrollment, and leave administration (FMLA/ADA).
• Experience with HRIS systems, benefits enrollment platforms, and vendor management.
• Working knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, and HIPAA.
• Experience supporting a multi-state workforce preferred.

Responsibilities

• Administer and support employee benefits programs across medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, COBRA, and other plans.
• Manage benefit enrollments, life events, terminations, and inquiries.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment and employee communications.
• Assist with administration of self-funded health plan relationships with vendors and brokers.
• Administer and track leave programs including FMLA, ADA, workers' comp, and other leaves.
• Maintain benefits and leave records in the HRIS, ensuring data accuracy.
• Support benefits compliance, audits, regulatory reporting, and plan documentation.
• Provide exceptional customer service to promote understanding and utilization of benefits.

Skills

Benefits administration

Regulatory compliance

FMLA & ADA knowledge

ERISA/ACA/COBRA/HIPAA knowledge

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Communication

Confidentiality

Education

CEBS/SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP/PHR-SPHR or related certification

Tools

HRIS systems

Benefits enrollment platforms

Vendor management

Job description

Description

AES Drilling Fluids is seeking a Benefits Specialist! The role reports to the Human Resources Manager and administers and supports employee benefit programs, leave of absence processes, and benefits-related compliance activities. The Benefits Specialist collaborates with employees, managers, carriers, and third-party administrators to ensure accurate benefits administration, exceptional employee support, and compliance with applicable federal and state regulations.

We offer fantastic benefits!

• Employer paid life insurance & disability
• Affordable medical / dental / vision
• Paid time off / generous holidays
• 401K - 6% match
• Many other benefits

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Administer and support employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, COBRA, and other company-sponsored plans.
2. Manage benefit enrollments, life event changes, terminations, and employee benefit inquiries.
3. Coordinate annual open enrollment activities, employee communications, and educational initiatives.
4. Assist with administration of the Company's self-funded health plan, including vendor, broker, and stop-loss carrier relationships.
5. Administer and track leave programs, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, workers' compensation, and other leaves of absence.
6. Maintain benefits and leave records within the HRIS and ensure data accuracy.
7. Support benefits compliance activities, audits, regulatory reporting, and plan documentation.
8. Provide exceptional customer service while promoting employee understanding and utilization of company benefit programs.

Requirements

• 3-5 years of employee benefits administration experience required.
• Strong knowledge of self-funded health plans, open enrollment, and leave administration, including FMLA and ADA.
• Experience with HRIS systems, benefits enrollment platforms, and vendor management.
• Working knowledge of benefits compliance, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, and HIPAA.
• Experience supporting a multi-state workforce preferred.
• CEBS, SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, PHR/SPHR, or related certification preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Strong understanding of employee benefits administration.
• Working knowledge of ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, and ADA regulations.
• Knowledge of self-funded insurance plans and stop-loss coverage.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel.