Benefits Specialist

Sarah Bush Lincoln; Mattoon (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Sarah Bush Lincoln is seeking a Benefits Specialist in the Human Resources - Total Rewards department to administer employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, and voluntary benefits, and to serve as a trusted resource for staff, managers, and leadership.

The role requires meticulous data integrity, adherence to ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and ACA, and close collaboration with payroll, insurance carriers, and third‑party administrators for enrollment, billing, and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree is required.
• 2+ years of benefits administration experience preferred.
• Experience with Workday/HRIS and benefits systems is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Administer day-to-day employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, voluntary benefits, and related employee transactions such as new-hire enrollment, status changes, qualifying life events, and terminations.
• Prepare benefits reports and audits and reconcile enrollment records, carrier invoices, billing, and payroll deductions to identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Support compliance with applicable federal and state benefits regulations, stay current on healthcare and benefits requirements and plan changes, and maintain confidentiality of employee information.
• Serve as the primary resource for employees regarding benefit eligibility, enrollment, plan options, claims, and qualifying life events; develop benefits communications and FAQs.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment activities, including communications, employee education, system updates, enrollment processing, and ongoing support.
• Maintain accurate benefits data in HRIS and benefits administration systems; monitor eligibility; review benefit deductions; and partner with payroll.

Skills

Benefits administration

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Workday

HRIS

Job description

Job Description

The Benefits Specialist administers employee benefit programs and serves as a key resource for employees, managers, and leadership by providing accurate information on health, dental, vision, and other benefits while ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant administration.

Department : Human Resources - Total Rewards

Hours : Full-time/40 hours per week

Shift : Monday - Friday: 8:00am to 4:30pm

Required : Bachelor’s Degree

preferred experience : 2 or more years of experience administering employee benefit programs.
Pay: Based on experience, starting at $54,808.00

Responsibilities

Benefits Administration: Administer day-to-day employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, voluntary benefits, and related employee transactions such as new-hire enrollment, status changes, qualifying life events, and terminations., Billing, Reporting & Reconciliation: Prepare benefits reports and audits and reconcile enrollment records, carrier invoices, billing, and payroll deductions to identify and resolve discrepancies., Compliance & Confidentiality: Support compliance with applicable federal and state benefits regulations, stay current on healthcare and benefits requirements and plan changes, and maintain the confidentiality and security of employee information., Employee Support & Communications: Serve as the primary resource for employees regarding benefit eligibility, enrollment, plan options, claims, and qualifying life events. Develop and maintain benefits communications, educational materials, FAQs, and other employee resources while providing responsive, confidential customer service., Open Enrollment: Coordinate annual open enrollment activities, including communications, employee education, system updates, enrollment processing, and ongoing support., Strong attention to detail, confidentiality, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment., Systems, Data & Payroll: Maintain accurate benefits data in HRIS and benefits administration systems; monitor eligibility; review benefit deductions; and partner with payroll to ensure accurate and timely processing., Vendor & Issue Resolution: Partner with insurance carriers, third-party administrators, brokers, payroll, and other vendors to resolve employee issues, eligibility discrepancies, and benefit administration matters., Working knowledge of benefits administration, payroll processes, and HRIS systems, preferably Workday, with knowledge of applicable employee benefits laws and regulations, including ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and ACA

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree (Required)

Compensation

Estimated Compensation Range

$54,808.00 - $84,947.20

Pay based on experience