Benefits Consultant
Our client, a leading health care organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the communities they serve, is seeking an experienced Benefits Consultant to join their team! In this role, you will oversee employee benefits and leave administration, provide guidance on complex benefits matters, and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. This position is ideal for a knowledgeable HR and benefits professional with strong experience in health and welfare plans, leave of absence management, and employee benefits consultation.
Pay Range: $35.00 – 40.00 hr., DOE
Location: Remote (Candidates must currently reside in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, or North Dakota)
Contract Duration: 6 months (contract only)
Schedule & Remote Work Requirements:
- Must be willing to work Pacific Time Zone hours, with some flexibility in the daily schedule as needed.
- Ability to work remotely full-time in a professional, distraction-free environment.
- Must have a reliable internet connection through Cable, DSL, or Fiber. Satellite and mobile Wi-Fi connections are not supported.
Key Responsibilities for Benefits Consultant:
- Independently administer employee benefits and leave of absence programs, ensuring compliance with ERISA, FMLA, and applicable state and federal regulations.
- Manage complex leave of absence cases, including eligibility determinations, medical certification reviews, approvals, ongoing documentation, and return-to-work coordination.
- Maintain an active caseload of 50+ leave requests while providing timely guidance and communication to employees and management.
- Serve as a subject matter expert and primary point of contact for employee, former employee, and retiree benefits inquiries.
- Provide consultation on health and welfare plans, retirement benefits, 401(k), pension programs, voluntary benefits, paid time off, and severance.
- Support employee benefits enrollment, qualifying life events, reimbursement accounts (HSA, FSA, DCRA), and retirement transitions.
- Administer severance benefits, including employee communications, benefits continuation, and retiree enrollment when applicable.
- Partner with HR, Payroll, Finance, Employee Relations, and external benefits vendors to resolve complex benefits and leave-related issues.
- Facilitate new employee benefits enrollment, severance presentations, and management training on leave administration.
- Identify opportunities for process improvements while maintaining accurate documentation and ensuring compliance with evolving benefits regulations.
Requirements/Qualifications for Benefits Consultant:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, or a related field preferred.
- 5+ years of experience in employee benefits administration, human resources, leave of absence management, retirement planning, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Comprehensive knowledge of employee health and welfare benefits, retirement plans, voluntary benefits, and reimbursement accounts.
- Strong understanding of FMLA, ERISA, multi-state leave regulations, and other applicable employee benefits laws.
- Demonstrated experience independently managing complex leave of absence cases, including medical certifications, eligibility determinations, and return-to-work processes.
- Experience providing benefits consultation and guidance to employees, retirees, managers, and leadership.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to navigate complex and sensitive employee situations.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex benefits information clearly and professionally.
- Proficiency with HRIS platforms, Microsoft Office Suite, and benefits administration or case management systems.
- Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) certification preferred.
About Motus Recruiting and Staffing, Inc:
Founded in 2006, Motus is an award-winning recruiting and staffing firm in the Pacific Northwest, specializing in professional services and technology solutions. We are a group of people who not only recognize the importance of representation, but actively fight for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the recruitment process. Our goal is to educate organizations on the importance of DEI when hiring, promoting, and supporting diverse employees. We are calling organizations to demonstrate their commitment to DEI by being intentional about who they hire. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status.
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