Benefits Representative

Salary range is $26.44 to $62.50 with a midpoint of $40.87. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market. 

*This is Direct Hire Temp role with a duration of 4 months*

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package  with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues

GENERAL PURPOSE: 

Provide day-to-day support for the benefits, retirement, and well-being programs in Total Rewards. Provide exceptional, compassionate customer service while answering employee questions on eligibility, changes and plan provisions regarding benefits, leaves, and retirement programs. Help to provide guidance and education related to FMLA, ADA, and Workers Compensation requests and accommodations in collaboration with the Benefits Manager and legal. Facilitate New Hire benefits meetings, assist with other benefits events or meetings as needed, and provide excellent customer service.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Supports the execution of Sound Transit’s total rewards strategy by providing administration assistance of integrated benefits and leave programs that includes traditional benefits as well as innovative benefits like well-being, mindfulness and work-life integration strategies that support the “whole self” and align with and support our HR strategy. 
• Responsible for day-to-day benefits office assistance including enrollments, terminations, changes in benefit status, verification of COBRA compliance and audit billing statements as needed.
• Assists with entering of new hires into HRIS system to help the Total Rewards Specialist when needed. 
• Responds to requests from employees and management on issues related to benefits, including medical, dental, vision and prescription drug insurance, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, leaves of absence, retirement program, well-being program and other benefits. 
• Assists employees and management with ADA accommodations, Washington Paid Family Medical Leave, FMLA leave requests in collaboration with the Benefits Manger. 
• Assists employees with Worker’s Compensation and coordinates with WA L&I as needed on claims. 
• Collaborates with payroll to ensure accurate employee payroll deductions for benefits. Coordinates with payroll to ensure any deduction code updates or changes are made in a timely manner. 
• Assists with annual Well-Being fair and Annual Open Enrollment process, including completion of Open Enrollment and year-end audits.
• Collaborates in a variety of other HR related programs, projects, and services and may serve on various committees or project teams as assigned; attends and participates in professional organization meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the human resources field; maintains awareness of federal, state and local regulations and impact of changes on the Agency; may work on or have lead on special projects or participate as member of other teams. 
• Maintains and updates the employee intranet benefits page and benefits department documents folders with current documents and other related information as needed. 
• Assists with benefits communications in collaboration with agency Communications department and the Benefits Manager. 
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.  
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:  Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field and four years of corporate benefits experience; OR a combination of education and experience. Experience interacting with third party contacts such as consultants, benefit carriers, and brokers preferred.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:   

• CBP (Certified Benefits Professional). 
• CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist). 

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• State and federal laws and regulations relating to benefits and leaves.
• Experience presenting in group meetings and facilitating employee benefits meetings. 
• Experience with invoices and audits.
• Utilizing Microsoft Office programs for assigned work, including compiling, or preparing spreadsheets.
• Experience with HRIS systems.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public.
• Interpreting and administering human resources policies and procedures and effectively gathering and analyzing data related to human resources programs and functions.
• Maintaining confidentiality and communicating with tact and diplomacy.
• Detail oriented, organized, with a strong sense of urgency and accuracy.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment 
• Customer service oriented.
• Identifying and resolving problems in a timely manner using sound judgment.
• Able to handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, work under pressure and be adaptive to change.
• Responding to inquiries with effective oral and written communication. 

Physical Demands / Work Environment:  

• Work is performed in a hybrid office environment.
• Position is responsible for leading new employee benefits meetings. May be subject to talking and hearing.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required. 

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)