Human Resources Benefits Specialist

Position Summary

The Human Resources Benefits Specialist is responsible for the administration, compliance, and day-to-day management of employee benefit programs supporting a 5,000+ employee skilled nursing workforce, with a strong emphasis on California-based operations. This role Onsite/Hybrid in Carlsbad office or fully remote depending on experience. This role requires hands-on collaboration with HR Resource, payroll, and facility teams.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience administering healthcare benefits in a high-volume, multi-state environment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Benefits Administration & Operations

• Administer and manage employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA, HSA, retirement plans, EAP, and other ancillary benefits
• Process benefit eligibility, enrollments, terminations, and life event changes for 5,000+ employees
• Lead and execute open enrollment for multi-state populations, including system configuration and employee communications
• Ensure accurate benefit setup and ongoing data integrity within the current HRIS and payroll systems (Paylocity)
• Perform routine audits, reconciliations, and reporting to ensure accuracy and compliance

Employee Support & Onsite Collaboration

• Serve as a benefits subject matter expert for employees across Resource and all facilities
• Provide in-person or virtual support and guidance to employees navigating benefits, leaves, and qualifying life events
• Conduct benefits training and informational sessions at the Resource office and, as needed, at facilities
• Handle complex benefits and leave cases with professionalism, empathy, and confidentiality

Vendor, Broker & Leave Administration

• Act as liaison with benefits brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators
• Support leave administration in coordination with facilities and Resource, ensuring compliance with various state leave laws
• Assist with benefit renewals and plan evaluations

Continuous Improvement & Strategic Support

• Identify opportunities to streamline benefits processes and enhance the employee experience
• Analyze benefit trends and utilization data

Qualifications

Required

• 3–5+ years of benefits administration experience, preferably in skilled nursing, healthcare
• Demonstrated experience supporting 1,000+ employees (experience with 5,000+ strongly preferred)
• Strong working knowledge of multi-state employment and benefit regulations
• Hands-on experience administering ACA, COBRA/Cal-COBRA, and various state leave programs
• Proficiency with HRIS and benefits administration systems (Paylocity, UKG, Workday, ADP, Ceridian, or similar)
• Ability to Travel

Preferred

• Skilled nursing or long-term care industry experience
• Multi-state workforce exposure

Key Competencies

• Benefits and compliance expertise
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• High-touch employee service mindset
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion
• Effective communication across all levels of the organization

Work Environment

• Onsite California or Remote
• Occasional local travel to skilled nursing facilities may be required
• Fast-paced healthcare environment with regulatory complexity

Why Join Us

• Play a critical role supporting a large clinical workforce
• Stable, mission-driven skilled nursing organization
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
• Opportunity to grow within a collaborative HR leadership team