Senior Leaves & Benefits Specialist

Salary range is $78k to $144k with a midpoint of $98k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

This position will provide day-to-day support for the benefits, retirement, well-being and leaves of absence programs in the Total Rewards team. They will provide timely, compassionate customer service while answering employee questions on eligibility, changes and plan provisions regarding benefits, leaves, worker's compensation and retirement programs. The senior specialist will meet with all new hires to explain their benefits in detail, assist with other benefits events or meetings as needed, and provide excellent customer service to all employees, from entry-level represented roles to the CEO. This role supports both the benefits area and the leave administrator with process related tasks, including return-to-work training and documentation, while maintaining accurate records and ensuring employees' rights and benefits are properly administered. This role ensures compliance with Sound Transit policies and legal requirements (e.g., FMLA, ADA, and other relevant local and state laws), and provides support to both employees and managers throughout the leave process.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Supports the execution of Sound Transit strategy by providing administration assistance of integrated benefits and leave programs, including traditional benefits as well as innovative benefits like well-being, mindfulness and work-life integration strategies that support the "whole self" and align with and support our HR strategy.
• Partner with the leave administrator with process related tasks and other duties as needed.
• Responsible for day-to-day benefits office assistance, including enrollments, terminations, changes in benefit status, verification and audit of billing statements, and COBRA.
• Responsible for entering benefits and leaves information into the HRIS system(s).
• Advise employees and management on all issues related to benefits, including medical, dental, vision and prescription drug insurance, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, leaves of absence, retirement program, well-being program, and other benefits.
• Assist the leaves administrator, benefits program manager and employees as needed with ADA accommodations, Washington Paid Family Medical Leave, FMLA leave requests and Worker's Compensation.
• Deliver new hire benefits orientation meetings and guide new hires with any questions related to benefits.
• Act as a liaison with the agency's benefit vendors.
• Collaborate with payroll to ensure accurate employee payroll deductions for benefits. Coordinate with payroll to ensure any deduction code updates or changes are made timely.
• Assist the benefits program manager with various department tasks as needed.
• Supports with the annual Well-Being fair and Annual Open Enrollment process.
• Collaborate in a variety of other HR related programs, projects, and services.
• Serve on various committees or project teams as assigned; attends and participates in professional organization meetings; may work on or have lead on special projects or participate as member of other teams.
• Responsible for maintaining and updating the employee intranet benefits page with current documents and other related information as needed.
• Coordinate with benefits communications in collaboration with agency communication department.
• Stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the human resources field; maintain awareness of federal, state and local regulations and impact of changes on the Agency.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Medical Billing, Insurance, or related field. Four years in administering corporate leave of absence, benefits programs, and medical billing; Experience in interacting with third party contacts such as consultants, benefits carriers, and brokers preferred; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

• CLMS (Certified Leave Management Specialist)
• CBP (Certified Benefits Professional)
• CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist)

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• State and federal laws and regulations relating to benefits and leaves.
• Experience presenting in group meetings and facilitating employee benefits meetings.
• Experience with invoices and audits.
• Utilizing Microsoft Office programs for assigned work, including compiling or preparing spreadsheets.
• Experience with HRIS systems.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public.
• Interpreting and administering human resources policies and procedures and in effectively gathering and analyzing data related to human resources programs and functions.
• Maintaining confidentiality and communicating with tact and diplomacy.
• Detail oriented, organized, with a strong sense of urgency.
• Customer service oriented.
• Identifying and resolving problems in a timely manner using sound judgment.
• Able to handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, work under pressure and be adaptive to change.
• Responding to inquiries with effective oral and written communication.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience administering leaves of absence as part of WA PFML.
• Working with benefits providers as part of a fully insured plan.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a standard hybrid office environment.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.