Benefits Specialist

Are you ready to think about the future and dream big? At Port Houston, we're seeking individuals who are eager to tackle the most significant challenges of their careers. For over a century, we've been driven by vision and scale, delivering impactful initiatives that shape Houston and the region. Our sustainability and success hinge on attracting, retaining, and nurturing exceptional talent.

When you join Port Houston, you're embarking on a journey towards a fulfilling career path. Take the first step in the right direction—are you READY?

Position Summary

Responsible for overseeing and administering the day-to-day case management for employee leave of absence under the Family/Medical Leave Act (FML), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Paid Parental Leave (PPL) , short-term and long-term disability programs, and Return to Work request. Assist with strategy of Port Houston’s (PH) group benefits programs/plans programs. Provide excellent customer service and quality benefits plans, improve existing programs, and monitor benefits administration. Provide analytical and technical support in the delivery of the benefits and wellness programs. administering

Responsibilities/Duties

• Assist and serve as a backup to the Benefits Administrator for the coordination of daily benefits processing. Ensure accuracy in enrollments, COBRA, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, retirements, accident and death claims, rollovers, QDROs, QMCSOs, and compliance testing with eligibility information. Maintain employee benefits files, maintain group benefits database and update employee payroll records as required.
• Assist employees regarding benefits claim issues and plan changes; enroll employees with carriers and process life status changes
• Respond to all leave requests and assist with benefits inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries
• Serves as a subject matter expert to interpret and guide employees and management on compliance and administration of leave program and practices.
• Process and administer all leave-of-absence requests including disability paperwork: medical, non-medical and FMLA
• Independently approves and/or denies leave cases based on relevant medical information. Coordinates and organizes all medical information and ensures that HIPAA and Employee Privacy guidelines are closely monitored and effectively executed.
• Effectively interpret FMLA and ADA implications as they relate to leave of absences/disabilities and/or accommodations
• Produces and manages reporting metrics and analytics for all leave cases.
• Partners closely with HRBPs to review claim status and develop strategy when needed.
• Evaluate and revise internal processes to reduce costs and increase efficiency. Document and maintain administrative procedures for all leave processes.
• Develop communication tools to enhance understanding of the company’s leave programs. Design and distribute materials for employee education sessions and mass distribution as required. Provide training and support to all employees and managers where needed.
• Assist with the coordination of the open enrollment process and conducting new hire orientation.
• Determine proper course of action for escalated customer service situations. Understand when to partner with Benefits Administrator and vendor to resolve issues and take necessary action to avoid ongoing issues.
• Assist with departmental associates for any administration needs including, preparing correspondence, filing and records management, providing phone coverage, redirecting calls, taking messages, scheduling appointments and maintaining office supplies and work area.
• Assist when needed for the processing and reconciliation of monthly billings and the preparation of vouchers for payments and administrative fees for all group plans
• Complete benefits surveys and review information obtained from the results
• Serve as secondary contact for the employee wellness program. Develop and coordinate employee awareness and utilization of wellness committee with the Benefits Administrator.
• Ensure compliance of all employment/labor laws through programs, practices, policies, investigations, training, and actions. Maintains current complete understanding of Federal and State employment laws such as (Title VII of the Civil Rights act, FLSA, ADA, FMLA, ADEA, sexual harassment, and NLRA). Interprets and administer policies fairly and consistently within legal boundaries
• Act in accordance with Port Houston core values (respect, excellence, accountability, diligence, and you)
• Perform other duties as required
  
  

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration or related major from an accredited public or private academic institution preferred, directly related work experience may be substituted for education requirement
• 3-5 years of related leave and employee benefits administration experience required
• SHRM-SCP/SHRM-CP or SPHR/PHR certification preferred
• CEBS or Certified Benefits Professional a plus
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to use Microsoft products, including PPT, experience with HRIS and benefits databases.
• Project and team management/leadership skills and experience. Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment with associates. Capability for effective planning and priority setting. The ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines. Ability to independently manage workload.
• Strong analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of plan designs. Ability to understand, evaluate and make judgments on the request for proposals (RFPs).
• Knowledge of benefits contract language.
• Knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements, both adopted and pending, affecting employee benefits programs, including COBRA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, workers’ compensation, Medicare, OBRA, and Social Security and DOL requirements.
• Excellent communication and organization skills.
  
  

Key Competencies Required

• Critical Evaluation
• Communication
• Relationship Management
• Pragmatic Decision Making
  
  

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but due to open office environment noise level may occasionally be high. To apply, please go to porthouston.com/careers. Only applications submitted through the Port Houston Careers website will be acknowledged. Port Houston is an equal opportunity employer and participates in the E-Verify program supervised by the U.S. Government.

Thank you for choosing Port Houston in your career search.

Disclaimer

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.