Benefits Specialist
Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University.
Organizational Overview
The Human Resources (HR) Directorate, led by the Associate Lab Director for Human Resources (ALD HR)/Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), manages all Human Capital Management functions initiatives including, but not limited to, scientific and non-scientific employment, compensation, benefits, employee and labor relations, training and development, inclusion and diversity, occupational medicine, and guest/user/visitor center. The HR Directorate supports a highly diverse, multicultural and international population of employees, guests and users
Position Description
The Human Resources Directorate has an opening for a Benefits Specialist to work as a regular full-time employee reporting to Benefits, Manager and Benefits, Supervisor.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Administer multiple benefit plans including medical, dental, vision care, flexible spending, health savings and health reimbursement accounts in compliance with federal and state regulations
- Apply knowledge and experience to identify, analyze and obtain information pertinent to successfully resolve complex problems, formulate creative solutions, and provide recommendations for process improvements
- Assist with development, implementation and integration of new or changing benefits plans, processes and vendors
- Provide support to internal stakeholders and outside vendors. Serve as a resource and respond to inquiries from managers, employees, retirees and long term disability recipients on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, claims, status changes and other inquiries related to benefit programs and HR policies and procedures
- Provide detailed communications and explanations of complex benefit programs and applicable laws to managers, employees, retirees and long term disability recipients; assist with new hire orientation, counsel employees on transitioning to retirement, including Medicare
- Support benefits events and activities, such as coordination of annual open enrollment, plan renewals, review and distribution of benefits-related materials
- Maintain the Benefits Office website
- Track the costs of the benefit programs, including carrier invoice reconciliation and participant contributions
- Ensure the accuracy of benefits enrollments in the HRIS, and provide vendors with accurate eligibility information
- Investigate and resolve benefits issues, including enrollment, claims, contributions, etc., for participants and vendors
Position Requirements
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business or related field or equivalent experience, generally on the basis of 2:1 (experience:college) years
- Minimum four (4) years related work experience showing progressively more complex responsibilities in a substantive and relevant professional Human Resources position; additional education in fields specifically related to the experience requirements list above may offset qualifying experienceMust be highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including SharePoint
- Strong knowledge in Human Resource/Financial Management systems
- Extensive knowledge of insurance laws to ensure compliance
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to provide exceptional customer service through active listening, patience, and responding with resolutions or actionable next steps
- Possess a high level of personal integrity with an emphasis on confidentiality and discretion
- Independently manage, prioritize, and complete projects that have competing priorities in a fast paced-high volume environment
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Previous experience working in a welfare benefits environment (i.e. benefits administration for an employer or claims administration at an insurance company or provider’s office)
- Experience using PeopleSoft HR/PeopleSoft Financials for benefits administration
Environmental, Health & Safety Requirements:
- Ability to speak, see, hear and understand speech
- Arm/hand dexterity for computer work
At Brookhaven National Laboratory we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Our benefits program includes, but is not limited to:
- Medical Plans
- Dental Plans
- Vision Care Plan
- Vacation
- Holidays
- Sick Leave
- Life and AD&D Insurance
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- Retirement and Savings Plans
- Paid Parental Leave
- Other employee perks and benefits
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is an equal opportunity employer that values inclusion and diversity at our Lab.We are committed to ensuring that all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a veteran, disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
BNL takes affirmative action in support of its policy and to advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.Please contact us to request accommodation.
*VEVRAA Federal Contractor