Benefits Specialist

Aston Carter; Minnesota; Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental & Vision

401(k) Plan

Life Insurance

PTO

Disability Insurance

Job summary

Aston Carter is seeking a dedicated Benefits Specialist to join our Human Resources team in Saint Paul, MN. In this contract-to-hire role, you will administer and support employee benefit programs, ensure compliance, and serve as a trusted resource for staff.

The ideal candidate has at least 1 year of benefits administration experience, strong customer service skills, and a foundation in Microsoft Excel and HRIS systems.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Minimum of 1 year of benefits administration experience.
• Basic knowledge of employee benefits and HR practices.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Administer and support employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, life insurance, and 401(k).
• Review insurance premium calculations and benefit statements.
• Process vendor invoices and maintain benefit-related spreadsheets.
• Respond to employee inquiries and educate on benefits.
• Support LOA administration and COBRA processes.
• Coordinate benefits eligibility and enrollments.
• Complete benefit forms and QMCSOs accurately.
• Identify opportunities to streamline benefits processes.

Skills

Customer service

Verbal communication

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Excel

HRIS

Payroll systems

Benefits platforms

AI tools exposure

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a detail-oriented and customer-focused Benefits Specialist to join our Human Resources team. In this role, you will support the administration, compliance, and communication of employee benefits programs while serving as a trusted resource for employees and stakeholders. The ideal candidate is organized, analytical, and passionate about delivering excellent employee service.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer and support employee benefit programs, including:
  • Medical, dental, and vision plans
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
  • Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
  • Life insurance and voluntary benefits
  • 401(k) and retirement programs
• Review and verify insurance premium calculations and benefit administration statements.
• Process vendor invoices and maintain benefit-related accounting and reporting spreadsheets.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding benefits and educate complex issues to the appropriate subject matter experts.
• Support leave of absence (LOA) administration, including coordination of benefit premium payments during leave periods.
• Administer COBRA processes, including eligibility calculations and communications related to layoffs, military leave, and employee death events.
• Coordinate medical and life insurance eligibility, enrollments, and ongoing administration.
• Complete benefit forms, questionnaires, and documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
• Administer Qualified Medical Child Support Orders (QMCSOs) and process related benefit enrollments.
• Review FSA and COBRA error reports and resolve discrepancies.
• Support administration of the Adoption Assistance Program.
• Identify opportunities to improve benefits processes and enhance the employee experience.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience supporting employee benefits administration.
• Basic knowledge of employee benefits and HR practices.
• Strong customer service, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience administering employee leaves of absence (LOA).
• Previous benefits administration experience within a corporate environment.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including reporting and spreadsheet management.
• Experience with HRIS, payroll systems, and benefits administration platforms.
• Exposure to AI tools and technologies that improve efficiency and streamline processes.
• Ability to identify process improvements and recommend practical solutions.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Saint Paul, MN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $25.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Saint Paul,MN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 25, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world‑class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gend