Job Details

Job Location
Verbeck Resource Center - El Cajon, CA

Position Type
Full Time

Salary Range
$80,000.00 - $90,000.00 Salary/year

Description

Job Summary

The Benefits Manager at Home of Guiding Hands will manage and oversee the organization's comprehensive benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts (FSA), lifestyle spending accounts (LSA), and other supplemental insurance coverages. Responsibilities include the entire open enrollment process, ongoing benefits administration and reconciliation, leave of absence administration, employee benefits training, and compliance with state and federal laws. This role is essential in supporting our team members' access to their benefits, promoting engagement, and ensuring programs align with HGH's mission and values.

Tasks, Duties, and Responsibilities

• Coordinate and lead the annual open enrollment process, including the development of a comprehensive communication strategy to ensure all staff are well-informed about their benefits options.
• Prepare and distribute clear and informative open enrollment materials, updating employees on any plan changes, costs, and enrollment processes.
• Conduct open enrollment meetings to guide staff through benefit options, answer questions, and assist with decision-making.
• Collaborate with benefits vendors to ensure accurate enrollment setup and timely completion of the open enrollment process.
• Oversee daily benefits administration, including managing enrollments, changes, and terminations in the HRIS system for medical, dental, vision, life, FSA, and LSA programs.
• Conduct monthly reconciliations for all benefit programs, working with the finance team to ensure accurate billing and prompt resolution of discrepancies.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employees regarding benefit inquiries, problem resolution, and claims assistance.
• Ensure all benefit changes (e.g., qualifying life events) are processed accurately and communicated promptly to carriers and payroll.
• Manage and administer the organization's leave of absence programs, including Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), California Family Rights Act (CFRA), short-term disability, long-term disability, and other applicable leave programs.
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource for employees and managers regarding leave eligibility, processes, and timelines, providing ongoing communication throughout the leave.
• Track and maintain detailed records of all leave cases, ensuring compliance with all state and federal regulations and maintain confidential and accurate records.
• Work closely with the People Operations team to ensure seamless coordination of leave benefits, payroll adjustments, and return-to-work processes.
• Ensure that all benefits programs, policies, and practices comply with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including FMLA, CFRA, ACA, HIPAA, ERISA, COBRA, and Section 125 regulations for FSAs.
• Maintain compliance documentation and stay updated on changes in relevant laws and regulations, adjusting policies and benefits plans as needed.
• Develop and update benefits policies and procedures to reflect compliance requirements, best practices, and organization values.
• Develop and implement an ongoing benefits education program to help employees understand, maximize, and engage with their benefits.
• Create and maintain user-friendly, accessible educational materials, including benefit guides, FAQs, and step-by-step tutorials for enrollment and use of specific benefits like FSAs and LSAs.
• Conduct orientation sessions for new hires and regular refreshers for current employees, providing an overview of available benefits and any recent changes.
• Coordinate with People Operations to deliver benefits information sessions and wellness webinars, encouraging employee engagement and utilization of wellness and LSA resources.
• Manage relationships with benefits vendors and carriers, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, and supplemental insurance providers.
• Coordinate with vendors to ensure plan compliance, optimize plan design, negotiate renewal rates, and manage service levels.
• Regularly review and evaluate vendor performance to ensure service quality, identifying opportunities for improvement and efficiencies.
• Partner with vendors to resolve escalated issues or concerns related to benefits claims or service and facilitate positive outcomes for employees.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee benefits data in HRIS and other relevant systems.
• Generate and analyze benefits usage reports to monitor costs, trends, and employee engagement in benefit offerings.
• Work with finance and People Operations leadership to prepare benefits cost analysis and projections for budgeting and strategic planning.
• Provide regular reporting on enrollment, usage, and satisfaction for benefits programs, identifying opportunities to enhance offerings.

• Assist the Director of People Operations with developing compensation and total rewards strategies that align with HGH's mission and are competitive in the market.
• Participate in market analysis and benchmarking to assess competitiveness and identify trends in benefits offerings and total rewards.
• Support the implementation of employee recognition and rewards programs to complement benefits offerings and enhance employee engagement.

Values

Innovation - We encourage creativity and innovation because we believe that by striving for more efficient and effective ways of doing things, we can achieve exceptional results. Our drive for success is shared by all. Our organization focuses on solutions and refuses to maintain the status quo. We challenge our team to be ahead of industry trends as we strive to lead and not follow.

Collaboration - We believe that working together collaboratively is the foundation of a culture that values teamwork, communication, and cooperation. This belief is central to every part of our business, both internally and externally, and strengthens our community.

Accountability - We take responsibility for our actions and for delivering on our commitments. We believe that by being transparent and accountable, we build trust and maintain the respect of our stakeholders.

Respect - We treat everyone with respect and dignity. We value inclusivity and believe that by upholding a culture of respect, we can foster a positive and supportive work environment. We treat others as we would want to be treated.

Empathy - We value empathy and understanding in all our interactions. We seek to understand the perspectives and needs of our colleagues, clients, and stakeholders to meet them with kindness and compassion.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in benefits management, with comprehensive knowledge of benefits administration, leave management, and compliance.
• Strong understanding of relevant state and federal laws, including FMLA, CFRA, ACA, COBRA, ERISA, and HIPAA.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex benefits topics in an accessible manner.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and benefits administration platforms.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee may frequently move to interact with fellow employees and/or clients. Additionally, the individual may be required to lift objects weighing up to 10 pounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Home of Guiding Hands is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression), age, marital status, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

About HGH

Home of Guiding Hands is a non-profit organization that was established in 1967 by a small group of dedicated and ambitious community members. The Mission of HGH is "to improve the lives of those we serve". We support children and adults in San Diego and Imperial Counties with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome, epilepsy, autism, and cerebral palsy. We provide a full continuum of care including residential care in specialized group homes, independent living support, respite care, and adult foster home services. Additionally, we provide early childhood assessments and services, tailored day support, Life Planning workshops, county-wide transportation services, and on-site activities at our resource center.

To see all our available career opportunities please visit: https://www.guidinghands.org/careers/