The Benefits Specialist plays a critical role in the Human Resources team by overseeing the daily administration of employee benefits for approximately 550 team members at our resort. This includes health and welfare benefits, 401(k) retirement plans, leave of absence (LOA) coordination, and workers' compensation case management. The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, knowledgeable about California labor laws, and passionate about helping employees navigate their benefits with care and accuracy. Bilingual in Spanish is highly preferred due to our diverse workforce. Pay Rate $22.00 #towncountrysd

Benefits Administration:

• Coordinate employee benefits enrollment for new hires, life events, and annual open enrollment.
• Respond to employee inquiries about medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and supplemental plans.
• Maintain accurate records in HRIS and carrier systems.
• Partner with brokers and vendors on benefit audits, billing, and compliance.

401(k) Administration:

• Guide employees through enrollment and changes to their 401(k) plan.
• Conduct compliance checks and audits; assist with year-end reporting and testing.
• Serve as a liaison with the plan administrator and recordkeeper.

Leave of Absence:

• Administer and track employee LOAs (FMLA, CFRA, PDL, ADA, etc.) in compliance with federal and state law.
• Communicate leave status, return-to-work timelines, and documentation needs to employees and managers.
• Ensure proper coordination with payroll and benefits continuation during leave.

Workers’ Compensation:

• Act as the primary contact for all work-related injuries and illnesses.
• File claims, coordinate treatment, and monitor the return-to-work process.
• Maintain case files and liaise with the third-party administrator, department managers, and legal when necessary.
• Proactively support a culture of workplace safety and injury prevention.

General HR Support:

• Assist with HR events, benefit fairs, wellness initiatives, and new hire onboarding.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, ACA, COBRA, and other applicable regulations.
• Support employee education by creating materials and delivering presentations in English and Spanish (preferred).

• 3+ years of experience in benefits administration and/or workers’ compensation, preferably in hospitality or a similar industry.
• Strong knowledge of LOA laws (FMLA, CFRA, ADA), workers’ comp regulations, and ACA compliance.
• Familiarity with HRIS platforms and benefits enrollment systems.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and customer service skills.
• Bilingual in Spanish highly preferred.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism in sensitive matters.
• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or related field preferred; PHR or CEBS a plus.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods (6+ hours/day).
• Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs (e.g., boxes of benefit materials, files).
• Frequent use of a computer, phone, and general office equipment.
• Occasional walking across a large resort property for meetings or employee outreach.
• Ability to work in a standard office environment with moderate noise level.