Job Summary:

The Benefits Specialist acts as the main resource for benefits education, benefit problem resolution, and general benefits administration.

Essential Functions:

• Administers the benefit programs for both internal and contract employees ensuring quality customer service to all employees and insurance carriers and in a confidential manner with respect to privacy legislation.
• Provides day to day audit and oversight for the internal and contractor benefit plans, including enrollments and terminations, in PeopleSoft and with the vendors. This includes the group insurance plan, provincial insurance plan, Registered Retirement Savings Plan, Deferred Profit Sharing Plan, Employee Assistance Program, and special client projects.
• Researches escalated benefit issues for employees including medical, dental, life, long term disability, and short term disability and acts as liaison as needed.
• Life and Disability claims management.
• Provides guidance to internal staff on benefit policies and procedures to be used.
• Communicate policies and procedures to personnel and field offices on benefit issues.
• Coordinate the reconciliation of all contractor and internal employees’ accounts for all plans with the vendor, PeopleSoft, Treasury, and Cash departments.
• Ensures resolution of most benefit related issues
• Works in conjunction with counterparts to improve the quality of service provided.
• Oversees all customer service issues to ensure the highest quality is provided to all employees and insurance carriers. Increases results through streamlining procedures and increasing use of technology.
• Works independently on a daily basis with the supervision of the Supervisor. Periodically, work in conjunction with the Supervisor to resolve benefit issues, improve benefit plan design, and monitor standard operating procedures used by team. 
• Building and maintaining relationships with our vendors and providers in conjunction with the Supervisor.
• Reviewing vendor invoices, resolving disputes, and reporting as required.
• Work with the Supervisor to execute annual processes, year end processing and communications.
• Maintain knowledge of benefit related provincial laws across Canada.
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Education and/or Experience:

• Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or other related field.
• Certified Employees Benefits Specialist (CEBS), preferred.

Skills/Abilities:

• Outstanding customer service skills
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Action oriented and able to prioritize while handling multiple tasks
• Ability to protect and maintain confidentiality of data

Core Competencies:

• Build relationships
• Develop people
• Lead change
• Inspire Others
• Think critically
• Communicate clearly
• Create accountability