Human Resources Specialist

Description

Blue Heron embodies a culture and values that result in our magnificent homes with a design that enhances our client’s lives. Facilitating a working environment conducive to collaboration, expressing passion, doing the right thing, and pushing boundaries is the driving force behind our talent initiatives. The HR Specialist plays a key role in supporting people endeavors including, but not limited to, ensuring we offer attractive and meaningful benefits, managing and assigning learning opportunities, creating a smooth onboarding and offboarding experience, providing wellness programs, helping team members navigate policies and HR administration, and assisting the talent team with projects.

Responsibilities:

BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION

• Plan and manage the day-to-day operations of group benefits programs (group health, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, worker's compensation, life insurance, travel and accident plan, flexible spending plan, retirement plans, etc.). 
• Provide excellent customer service when assisting team members with benefits inquiries.
• Research, review and recommend new benefits programs. Examine possible plan designs and benefits cost changes. 
• Oversee implementation of new benefits offerings.
• Serve as primary contact for plan vendors and third-party administrators. 
• Coordinate transfer of data to external contacts for services, premiums and plan administration and oversee and audit integrations by vendors as needed.
• Ensure compliance with applicable government regulations. 
• Coordinate daily benefits processing. Handle enrollments, COBRA, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, accident and death claims, rollovers, QDROs, QMCSOs, distributions, loans, hardships and compliance testing. 
• Coordinate and process leave of absence paperwork and maintain compliance with plans including FMLA, STD, and personal leave of absence.
• Maintain accurate enrollment in all benefit programs to include loading new hires, deactivating separated employees, and updating census information as needed. 
• Oversee maintenance of employee benefits files, maintain group benefits database and update employee payroll records.
• Gather employee data and oversee the accurate and timely processing of monthly billings and the preparation of vouchers for payment of administrative fees for all group plans. 
• Review benefit usage reports and make recommendations for review by management.
• Develop communication tools to enhance understanding of the company's benefits package. Create and publish relevant content on the Total Rewards and Wellness internal site. 
• Design and distribute materials for benefits orientations, open enrollment, and summary plan descriptions. 
• Provide training and support to group benefits associates, office associates and the field staff.

ONBOARDING

• Oversee onboarding processes.
• Convert candidates to new hires in HR System and ensure accuracy of all employee details.
• Prepare new hire packets and onboarding materials.
• Guide new hires through electronic onboarding and benefits enrollment. 
• Coordinate workspace and IT needs for new hires.
• Review and complete I9 paperwork to maintain compliance. 
• Prepare and send the new hire announcements.
• Process business card orders.
• Regularly update the employee “yearbook” with new hires, changes, and separations. 
• Send out the new hire experience survey and review results to make recommendations for changes to the program.
• Assist with new hire orientation as needed.

OTHER HR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Scan personnel files and other documents to the company drives to maintain an electronic employee database. 
• Serve as a back-up for the preparation and processing of payroll and associated information. Collate and verify data and inputs into the payroll system. Update payroll records and process routine changes to employee records. Perform basic reconciliation and auditing processes during each pay cycle. Respond to pay-related inquiries from staff. Research and resolve errors or omissions. 
• Ensure all employees have access to and have signed off on handbooks and policies. 
• Draft and send communications regarding new policies and procedures.
• Process employee changes and audit approvals as needed.
• Process verifications of employment. 
• Assist with preparation of annual reporting including OSHA, EEOC, benefits audits, WC audits.
• Assist with employee recognition programs including anniversary awards.
• Assist with employee engagement events and diversity initiatives.
• Follow all processing procedures, adhere to policies, and maintain confidentiality. 
• Perform other