Benefits Specialist

Why you will love working at Maola:

• Owned by a cooperative of family farmers who are passionate about cultivating sustainable dairy goodness and bottling fresh Maola brand milk and dairy products.
• 100 years of dedicated stability and growth across 11 states.
• Competitive pay Medical Dental Vision 401(k) Life Insurance Time Off Provisions and more available no later than one month after hire.
• Our employees are an integral part of who we are what you do and what you think matters.

SUMMARY

As a Benefits Specialist this individual is responsible for a broad range of activities to support the wider organization. This individual must be able to apply HR best practices aligned with organizational policies and standards. This is a fastpaced environment with multiple priorities which requires an individual who can maintain a high level of professionalism and confidentiality while meeting the needs of employees managers and the organization. This positions primary functions are generalist benefits administration.

As a Benefits Specialist this individual will work with the Benefits Manager to provide full Benefits lifecycle support to employees managers and leadership. This individual will be responsible for assisting the Benefits Manager with administration of all benefits and retirement programs including medical dental vision life insurance and disability programs leave management programs such as FMLA short and longterm disability and 401(k) plans including employee deferrals employer match and loan maintenance. This position will also assist with benefit vendor management and HRIS/UKG maintenance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Performs routine tasks required in support of all benefit programs including but not limited to health and welfare benefits life and disability leave management and retirement benefits.
• Assists with benefits administration open enrollment and providing information to employees as questions arise.
• Assists the Benefits Manager with administering health welfare and other benefits programs by determining eligibility completing enrollments and life event changes communicating to employees and vendors coordinating with payroll where needed completing and submitting claim forms assisting employees in resolving claim issues and ensuring compliance and all other benefits related processes.
• Assists with the design recommendation and implementation of benefits programs.
• Documents and maintains administrative procedures for assigned benefit processes.
• Develops and implements effective and easy to understand benefits resources for employee use.
• Develops an excellent working knowledge of the employee benefits guide employee handbook and effectively administers new and modified policies/procedures.
• Assists with FMLA/ADA/STD/LTD administration.
• Assist with new hire orientation and new hire benefit enrollment.
• Maintains compliance with federal state and local employment laws and regulations and recommended best practices; reviews policies and practices to maintain compliance.
• Maintains knowledge of trends best practices regulatory changes and new technologies in human resources benefits compliance and employment law.
• Work as the primary point of contact on special projects as needed.
• Acts as liaison with accounting for benefits matters relating to invoicing account set up or other fiscal obligations.
• Maintains 401(k) Employee Deferrals Employer Match and Loans.
• Writes and revises as needed Benefits Audit Procedures and maintains a current manual/binder of these procedures.
• Receives and tracks HR Benefit Premium Payments from Retirees.
• Maintains benefit files housed in our HRIS/UKG system.
• Assembles and maintains binders for all benefit plans as necessary.
• Assist with benefit compliance audits including retirement plan audits.
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises discretion.
• Please note this position description is not designed to cover all or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
• Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

• At least a Bachelors degree in Human Resources Management or related field required.
• At least 2 years of experience in human resources required. Benefits Administration experience preferred.
• At least 2 years of experience using Microsoft Office products.
• UKG highly preferred.
• Experience with Federal & State employment laws compliance.
• Knowledge of analysis and reporting tools (BI/Dashboard).

COMPETENCIES

• Communication
• Communicate clearly and effectively through multiple channels oral written visual and nonverbal ensuring our messages are understood and delivered appropriately whether inperson or digitally.
• Accountability
• Take responsibility for actions and anticipate challenges before they arise.
• Solve problems both within and outside of departments proactively addressing issues as they occur.
• Customer Focused
• Prioritize understanding and meeting both internal and external customer needs.
• Ensure high levels of satisfaction and loyalty by anticipating customer requirements and striving for exceptional service.
• Initiative
• Proactive in identifying opportunities and addressing potential threats.
• Act independently and decisively rather than waiting for situations to demand action.
• ProblemSolving
• Possess the ability to identify and address complex issues with minimal guidance.
• Skilled at analyzing challenges and finding practical effective solutions.
• Collaboration
• Take responsibility for deliverables while also supporting others to ensure that collective goals are met.
• Able to work harmoniously with others toward a common goal recognizing and valuing each persons contributions is fundamental to successful collaboration.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision for computer work and ability to adjust focus. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The individual would encounter normal office environmental conditions.
• The noise level for the work environment would be considered in the moderate range (example: computers printers light traffic).

Maola Local Dairies owned by the farmers of Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association (MDVA) sustainably produces a full suite of nutritious dairy products through our network of six dairy processing plants. With a keen eye on quality freshness and love for the environment Maola delivers dairy products that are both nutritious and sustainable to our local communities. For more information about Maola please visit .

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color sex sexual orientation gender identity religion national origin disability veteran status or other legally protected status.

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority