Benefits Specialist

General Summary
The Benefits Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting LAIKA’s employee benefits programs. LAIKA prioritizes our employees' well-being and is dedicated to fostering a positive work environment. As we expand our team, we are seeking a knowledgeable and experienced Benefits Specialist to join our Total Rewards team.

Job Functions

• Administer employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other voluntary benefits, ensuring accuracy, employee satisfaction and compliance with federal and state regulations, including but not limited to ERISA, ACA, and HIPPA.
• Communicate benefits information to employees through various channels, including new hire orientations, written materials, and one-on-one consultations.
• Address employee inquiries related to benefits and assist in resolution and liaise with benefits vendors and resolve any service issues.
• Coordinate and execute the annual open enrollment process, including communication, education, and support for employees.
• Process and track benefit enrollments, changes, and terminations in HRIS and audit bi-weekly payroll entries and document manual adjustments; perform weekly post-payroll reporting and
• Coordinate annual 401K and benefits-related audits in conjunction with third party auditors.  
• Represent Benefits department at Safety committee meetings and liaise with Safety Department on Workers’ Compensation claims.
• Point of contact for all employee Leave of Absence (LOA) questions and coordination, and partner with third party leave administration and Payroll department to accurately reflect LOA payments.
• Record minutes for quarterly 401k Advisory Committee meetings.
• Support Total Rewards department, including employee events and experience initiatives, as needed.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years’ experience in Human Resources, preferably with a focus on Benefits.
• Basic understanding of Federal and Oregon labor laws and regulations.
• Basic knowledge of employee benefits programs including health, dental, vision, life insurance and retirement plans.
• Self-directed with initiative and a problem solver.
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills.
• Strong communication skills including ability to communicate with diplomacy and tact.
• Experience handling sensitive information with strict confidentiality.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications such as SharePoint, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to walk; stand; sit; use hands to operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear both in person and by telephone. The employee must lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee works under typical office conditions and is exposed to variable indoor temperatures. The noise level is usually quiet or moderate.

Location
On-site in Hillsboro, OR

Salary
Salary is commensurate with skills and experience.

Disclaimer The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

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