Benefits Specialist

Overview

Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS) is seeking a Benefits Specialist who will play a crucial role in managing and enhancing our comprehensive benefits programs. 

The Benefits Specialist plays a critical role in the administration and delivery, communication, and compliance of employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, wellness programs, and retirement plans.

REPORTING STRUCTUREThe Benefits Specialist reports to the Benefits and Compensation Manager.

Responsibilities

The Benefits Specialist works collaboratively with the internal HR team such as HR Information System (HRIS) staff, Payroll, Regional and Site HR staff, Information Technology (I.T.) as well as client groups in our multiple communities. In addition, she/he will work with current and former employees and their beneficiaries and dependents, benefit vendors, benefit brokers, benefit third-party administrators, and functional directors of assigned areas of accountability.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Benefits Administration & Employee Support

• Administer employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, wellness programs, and retirement plans.
• Process employee benefits enrollments, changes, and terminations in HR and payroll systems.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries, providing guidance on eligibility, coverage, and claims. Help employees proactively understand their benefit options, answer questions, determine eligibility, and enroll in benefits.
• Assist employees with life events, including new hires, qualifying events, and termination processes.
• Developing and distributing clear and effective communications regarding benefit plans, wellness programs, and employee resources. Coordinate benefits communications, including open enrollment materials, policy updates, and employee education sessions.
• Manage the disability benefits, including cross-team communication with the leaves team, for short-term disability (STD), long-term disability (LTD), and other applicable benefits.
• Process benefit deductions and reconcile payroll deductions with provider invoices to ensure accuracy, including oversight of the PHS arrears process and payment collection.
• Support employees with PHS’ Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and other wellness benefits via a third-party provider, including promotion, utilization tracking, and identifying additional employee wellness opportunities.

Retirement Plan Administration

• Support the Retirement Planning Committee by preparing materials, coordinating meetings, and ensuring follow-ups on action items.
• Assist with the Annual Investment Review, including gathering data and providing recommendations for investment fund changes related to the Retirement Savings Plan.
• Provide customer service and support to all retirement plan participants—active, retired, and deferred—and their beneficiaries.
• Coordinate with retirement plan providers and third-party administrators to resolve participant issues and ensure a seamless experience.
• Monitor retirement plan processes, ensuring accuracy in contributions, distributions, rollovers, and compliance testing.

Vendor Coordination & Compliance

• Liaise with benefits vendors, brokers, and third-party administrators to resolve employee issues and ensure service quality.
• Prepare and review of benefits-related compliance filings, such as ACA reporting, 5500 filings, and non-discrimination testing. Assist with audits and benefits reconciliation.
• Maintain and audit benefits records for accuracy and compliance with PHS’s policies and federal/state regulations (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA).
• Monitor and support annual open enrollment, ensuring seamless execution and employee engagement.
• Maintain knowledge of industry trends and regulatory updates to ensure compliance and competitiveness.
• Work closely with the HRIS team to ensure benefits module configurations and enrollments align with PHS plan documents. Support in the review of benefits file feed setup and accuracy for both enrollments and terminations.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required in Business Management, HR Management, or related field.
• Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Society of Human Resource Management – Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) preferred.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in benefits administration.
• Working knowledge of benefits regulations, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, and HIPAA.
• Experience with HRIS systems and benefits portals; proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills to assist employees effectively.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Ability to research and resolve employee benefit issues with a customer-service mindset.
• High level of accuracy in processing benefits enrollments, changes, and payroll deductions.
• Excellent organization, written, interpersonal, and communication skills; strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language to communicate with all customers.
• Demonstrated compatibility with PHS’ mission and operating philosophies.

Pay Range

Benefits

Full-time benefits-eligible employment begins at a minimum of 30 hours per week:

• Health, and dental, including applicable HSA & FSA
• Employer Contribution to HSA for eligible Health Plans
• Life insurance (AD&D)
• Retirement, with eligibility for an employer match
• Holiday pay and extended sick

Full and Part-time benefits-eligible employment working between 20-29 hours per week:

• Vision insurance
• Voluntary short-term & long-term disability
• Accident & hospitalization coverage
• Education assistance programs

All employees:

• Accrue PTO (Paid time off)
• Same-day pay
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• College partnership educational discounts
• Access to Learn to Live Resources

About PHS

Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS), based in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a nonprofit, faith-based organization providing a broad array of high-quality housing choices, care and services options for older adults. Some 8,000 employees serve more than 41,800 older adults through 60 PHS-affiliated senior living communities in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin, and through Optage® home and community services. PHS is also co-owner of Genevive, the largest geriatric primary care practice in Minnesota, providing comprehensive care for more than 15,500 older adults. Established in 1955, PHS has earned the reputation as an innovative leader dedicated to promoting independence, purposeful living and the overall well-being for those they serve. Today, PHS is one of the largest nonprofit providers of senior housing and services in the nation.

PHS is an EEO/AA employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance.