Benefits Specialist

Centralus Health MissionOur mission is to deliver high-quality care, empower our teams to success and improve the wellbeing of the communities we serve.Job SummaryThe Benefit Specialist oversees the daily administration, compliance, and operational accuracy of Centralus Health's Health & Welfare benefit programs. This includes medical, dental, vision, FSA/HSA, life and AD&D, voluntary benefits, COBRA, and the Employee Disaster Relief Program. The role requires strong technical knowledge of benefit regulations, attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering timely, accurate, and employee-focused service across the system.Job FunctionsHealth & Welfare Administration: Oversee daily administration of medical, dental, vision, FSA/HSA, life/AD&D, voluntary benefits, and COBRA programs, ensuring timely, accurate processing of enrollments, changes, and terminations across all plans. (*)Compliance & Regulatory Management: Ensure full adherence to ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, IRS, and state regulations through consistent auditing, documentation control, mandated notices, and coordination with third-party administrators. (*)Employee Communication & Education: Deliver benefit orientations, employee education sessions, and year-round support while developing clear communication materials that strengthen employee understanding of available programs. (*)Program Coordination & Special Projects: Support Open Enrollment, benefit system updates, mandated enrollments, and broader HR initiatives as assigned. (*)Reporting & Documentation: Maintain comprehensive documentation, dashboards, and performance metrics that demonstrate compliance readiness and organizational accountability.Important Note: (*) indicates an essential function of the job as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Essential functions are the core duties that are fundamental to the position and must be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation.Success FactorsBenefits Expertise & Precision: You demonstrate deep technical knowledge of Health & Welfare plans and apply it with accuracy and consistency, ensuring flawless administration and reliable employee support.Regulatory Discipline: You navigate ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, COBRA, and state compliance requirements with confidence, translating regulatory obligations into clear actions that safeguard organizational compliance.Employee-Centered Service: You provide responsive, empathetic, and solutions-focused support, ensuring employees feel informed, valued, and well-guided throughout their benefits experience.Operational Excellence: You manage high-volume, detail-sensitive processes with discipline and efficiency, identifying errors early, resolving issues quickly, and maintaining strong data integrity across systems.Cross-Functional Collaboration: You build strong relationships with vendors, HR partners, finance teams, and operational leaders, ensuring seamless coordination and consistent communication across all benefit programs.Values-Driven Leadership: You model ethical judgment, consistency, and care-fostering a culture where compliance, quality, and compassion work hand in hand.Education / Experience QualificationsRequired:* Bachelor's degree in business, human resources, healthcare administration, or a related field with 2+ years of experience; or* Equivalent Experience: 6+ years of benefit administration experience.Preferred:* SHRM-CP certification or equivalent.Physical RequirementsAbility to remain in a stationary position for extended periods and operate standard office equipment, including computers and telephones.Ability to move about the workspace and attend meetings across multiple facilities, both on-site and virtually, as needed to perform essential duties.Ability to occasionally move or lift materials weighing up to 25 pounds.Must be able to work in typical office conditions, with occasional exposure to varied temperatures when traveling between sites or departments.Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.I certify that the information contained in this application is correct and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any falsification or omission of information may disqualify me from further consideration for employment or, if hired, may result in termination. In consideration for my employment, I agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the company, which rules may be changed, withdrawn, added, or interpreted at any time, at the company's sole option and without prior notice to me.I understand that any hiring decision is contingent upon my successful completion of all of the Company's lawful pre-employment/post-offer checks, which may include a background check, drug screen, employment references, and licensing review. If I am made a conditional offer of employment, I agree to execute any consent forms necessary for the Company to conduct its lawful pre-employment/post-offer checks. Such checks will not be conducted until allowed under applicable federal, state, and local law. I understand if I have a criminal background, it will not automatically disqualify me from employment unless otherwise required by law. I agree to execute any consent forms necessary for the Company to conduct its lawful pre-employment checks.I also understand that the Company is a drug and alcohol-free workplace and has a drug and alcohol testing program consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. I understand that after a conditional offer of employment, I must submit to and pass a pre-employment drug test as a condition of employment.