Benefits Systems Specialist

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Manage the end-to-end configuration of benefit administration systems, covering everything from plan setup to go-live and ongoing maintenance.

• Develop plans for medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D, disability, FSA, HSA, HRA, EAP, and voluntary benefits.

• Establish coverage levels, eligibility and waiting-period criteria, rate structures, employer contributions, and payroll deductions.

• Set up configurations for open enrollment, new hire enrollment, qualifying life events, evidence of insurability, dependent verification, and beneficiary rules.

• Configure and test EDI 834 carrier feeds and payroll deduction feeds; troubleshoot any file errors encountered.

• Create test plans, conduct enrollment scenarios, and validate rates and deductions prior to launches and renewals.

• Configure ACA modules, which include measurement methods, full-time status tracking, offer codes, and safe harbor logic.

• Prepare and validate Forms 1094-C and 1095-C, ensuring accurate auditing of HRIS, payroll, and benefits data.

• Oversee electronic IRS submissions and employee form distributions.

• Address corrections, IRS rejections, Letter 226-J penalty notices, and relevant state individual mandate reporting.

• Provide guidance to clients on employer mandate exposure and affordability safe harbors.

• Act as the primary benefits systems liaison for client HR departments and benefit brokers.

• Convert plan designs, renewals, and carrier modifications into system requirements and configurations.

• Lead activities for renewal and open enrollment readiness.

• Suggest process and system enhancements.

• Train client HR and benefits administrators and develop user guides and job aids.

• Generate enrollment, deduction, and eligibility reports and audits.

• Reconcile carrier invoices, enrollments, and payroll deductions while resolving any discrepancies.

⛳️ Requirements

• A minimum of 3 years of HR experience, encompassing both benefits administration and general HR functions.

• At least 1 year of experience in configuring benefit administration systems, beyond just managing enrollments.

• Extensive knowledge of major employee benefit types and plan designs, including self-funded and fully insured plans, HSAs, FSAs, HRAs, and voluntary benefits.

• Experience in establishing eligibility rules, rate structures, enrollment events, and qualifying life events.

• Practical ACA experience, including the configuration of an ACA module or tracking tool, along with a minimum of two seasons handling Form 1094-C/1095-C preparation and filing.

• Familiarity with ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, Section 125, and ERISA fundamentals.

• Experience with carrier file feeds (EDI 834) and payroll deduction integration.

• Direct experience collaborating with benefit brokers and carriers.

• Proficient Excel skills, including the use of lookups, pivot tables, and data cleanup.

• Experience in creating reports within an HR system.

• Preferred: previous consulting, implementation, or client-facing professional services experience.

• Preferred: familiarity with multiple benefits platforms.

• Preferred: experience in Workday Benefits configuration.

• Preferred: experience with an ACA filing vendor or the IRS electronic filing (AIR) process.

• Preferred: experience conducting dependent eligibility verification audits.

• Preferred: payroll experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

🏝️ Benefits

• Fully remote work arrangement.