Human Resources Benefits Specialist

Mercy House; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercy House is seeking a Benefits Specialist to administer the company’s employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, and retirement plans. You will work with employees and external vendors, ensuring accurate enrollment, changes, and terminations while maintaining compliance with ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and related laws.

The role requires strong organizational skills and excellent communication to explain complex benefit concepts and support staff across departments.

Qualifications

• Experience in employee benefits administration with knowledge of plan design, compliance, and administration.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with ability to explain complex benefit concepts to employees at all levels.
• Knowledge of ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and ACAP (or similar) regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Administer employee benefits programs (health, dental, vision, retirement) including enrollment, changes, and terminations.
• Coordinate with external vendors to ensure timely delivery of benefits services and accurate invoicing.
• Provide guidance to employees on options, eligibility, and plan design changes.
• Prepare communications such as benefit summaries and open enrollment materials; ensure regulatory compliance.

Skills

Benefits administration

Vendor coordination

Communication skills

HRIS

ERISA knowledge

COBRA knowledge

Microsoft Office

Tools

Microsoft Office

HRIS systems

Job description

Status: Full-Time, Non-ExemptPay: $24.00-$25.00/hourSchedule: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.Job Summary: The Benefits Specialist will be responsible for the administration of the company's employee benefits program, including health, dental, vision, and retirement plans. The successful candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and possess excellent communication skills to work with employees and external vendors. The Benefits Specialist will also need to stay up to date with relevant laws and regulations to ensure the company remains compliant.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:Benefits AdministrationMaintain strong community awareness and build relationships that strengthen collaboration among diverse stakeholdersAdminister employee benefits programs, including enrollment, changes, terminationsProvide guidance and support to employees regarding their benefits options and eligibilityAssist with the development and implementation of employee benefits policies and proceduresCoordinate with external vendors, including insurance carriers and brokers, to ensure accurate and timely delivery of benefits servicesPrepare and distribute communications, such as benefit summaries and open enrollment materials, to employeesEnsure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and ACAManage the day-to-day operations of the company's retirement plans, including 403(b).Assist with the analysis of benefits data and make recommendations for plan design changes or cost-saving measuresReview all monthly invoices for accuracyProvide timely, accurate, and complete reporting to upper managementParticipate in benefits-related projects and initiatives as assignedMiscellaneousAttend staff meetingsAttends quarterly trainingsEnhance job performance by applying up-to-date professional and technical knowledge gained by attending seminars and conferences and reviewing professional publicationsTake initiative; demonstrate strong decision-making and organizational skillsInitiate best practices; develop efficiency improvementsParticipate in special projects and other duties as assigned by SupervisorRequirements:Education and ExperienceExperience in employee benefits administration, with a strong understanding of benefit plan design, compliance, and administrationExcellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain complex benefit concepts to employees at all levelsStrong organizational skills and attention to detailAbility to work collaboratively with internal and external vendorsProficient in Microsoft Office and HRIS systemsKnowledge of relevant laws and regulations, including ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and ACAPhysical RequirementsAbility to lift, push, and pull up to 25 poundsSitting for prolonged periodsBending and stooping to file