Benefits Specialist - Germain Automotive Partnership

Benefits Specialist

Location: Lexus of Easton Reports To: HR Director

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Position Overview:

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day administration, compliance, and communication of employee benefits programs for Germain Automotive Partnership. This role ensures employees receive accurate and timely information about their benefits while maintaining compliance with all federal and state regulations. The Benefits Specialist also plays a key role in managing leaves of absence, supporting wellness initiatives, and assisting with other HR projects and processes.

This position is ideal for an HR professional who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and passionate about providing exceptional employee service in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.

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Primary Responsibilities – Benefits Administration (80%)

Benefit Plan Management & Employee Support

. Serve as the first point of contact for employee benefit inquiries and provide guidance on plan options, coverage details, and eligibility.

. Liaise with insurance carriers, brokers, and vendors to resolve employee concerns and ensure accurate benefit administration.

. Process benefit enrollments, changes, and terminations in ADP and with benefit carriers.

. Manage the annual open enrollment process including planning, communication, system setup, and post-enrollment audits.

. Support employees with Evidence of Insurability (EOI) submissions and follow-up with Guardian and other carriers as needed.

Compliance, Reporting, & Auditing

. Review compliance updates from carriers and ensure required actions are completed in a timely manner.

. Maintain compliance with federal and state benefit regulations (ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, FMLA, ADA).

. Oversee ACA data integrity in ADP to ensure accurate reporting and filing.

. Review and audit benefit invoices, eligibility reports, and deductions for accuracy; reconcile discrepancies as needed.

. Manage COBRA administration, ensuring timely notifications and documentation.

. Oversee OSHA log maintenance, workplace injury tracking, and annual reporting.

Leave & Accommodation Management

. Administer the full leave of absence process including FMLA, personal leaves, and ADA accommodation requests.

. Communicate with employees, managers, and healthcare providers to ensure timely and compliant handling of leave requests.

. Track and document leave status, correspondence, and required certifications.

Wellness & Employee Engagement

. Coordinate health fairs, wellness events, and preventive screening programs (Workspring, health screenings, etc.).

. Partner with carriers and internal communications to promote benefits education and engagement.

. Manage end-of-year tax documents and benefit-related communications.

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Additional HR Responsibilities (20%)

. Assist with HR reporting, data audits, and special projects as assigned by the HR Director.

. Support ADP troubleshooting and submit/manage support tickets with vendors.

. Assist in creating, improving, and documenting HR processes and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

. Contribute to the HR newsletter and provide data or content related to benefits and employee wellbeing.

. Create and maintain resources and training materials in ADP for managers and employees.

. Support training of payroll practitioners and managers on benefit processes or system navigation.

. Serve as a recruiting backup during absences (posting requisitions, coordinating offers, and initiating pre-employment screenings).

. Assist with HR recordkeeping and electronic filing in ADP.

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance
• Weekly Pay
• Parental Leave

• 401K

• Life Insurance

• Short and Long-term Disability Insurance

• Paid time off

• Employee Discounts

• State of the art technology

Qualifications & Skills:

. Experience: 2–4 years of human resources experience, preferably with a focus on benefits administration or leave management.

. Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred (or equivalent work experience).

. Systems: Proficiency with HRIS and benefits administration platforms; experience with ADP, Paycor, Paylocity, or similar systems preferred.

. Knowledge: Working understanding of benefit plan designs, open enrollment cycles, ACA, FMLA, ADA, COBRA, and general HR compliance.

. Skills:

o Strong organizational and analytical abilities with exceptional attention to detail.

o Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

o High level of professionalism and confidentiality.

o Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

o Collaborative, service-oriented approach with a commitment to process improvement.