Benefits Specialist

Burns White & Hickton is committed to representing our client partners with excellence.  In fact, it was the pursuit of excellence that prompted us to establish our firm in 1987, focusing on transportation, litigation, and business law.  We have grown from our original five partners to 80 innovative lawyers in four locations.  Our Pittsburgh office is located on the thriving North Shore, near picturesque PNC Park.  We have three other offices, which are located in Philadelphia PA, Wheeling WV, and Princeton NJ. 

 

We welcome the opportunity to grow and prosper with people who share our values of integrity, teamwork, and mutual respect.  We seek highly motivated, dedicated, and hard-working individuals who will provide exceptional service to our clients, and who will enjoy our unique environment that is professional yet friendly, flexible, and sensitive to employees’ needs.  We want to ensure that everyone working at Burns White & Hickton feels like they belong.  To that end, our recruiting and retention programs demonstrate our practice of welcoming, supporting, and promoting the interests of a diverse population.  We offer competitive salaries and an extremely generous benefits package.

 

Position Summary

Complete benefits administrative functions for a law firm of approximately 200 personnel in three offices.  Routinely interact with staff at all levels regarding a full range of employee benefits matters.  Work independently to complete projects, maintain systems, and coordinate programs.

 

Essential Functions

Maintain the highest level of professionalism at all times when interacting with internal and external customers.  Demonstrate a positive attitude and commitment to quality customer service.Contribute to a positive team environment within the HR Department and within the firm by demonstrating a strong work ethic, effectively communicating with others, and proactively anticipating department and user needs.Act as a point of contact for employees who have questions or problems related to benefits, including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) profit sharing, flexible spending accounts, life and disability insurance, long-term care insurance, and wellness.Maintain benefits data in the HRB system and generate routine and ad hoc reports.  Enter benefits changes during the open enrollment process and generate confirmation statements.  Conduct regular and ad hoc audits of benefits and benefit deduction data.Complete administrative functions related to 401(k) including maintaining files and coordinating communications between trustees, administrators, legal advisors, and actuarials.  Independently handle 401(k) action items such as filing 5500s, completing annual external audit, and scheduling investment committee meetings.Complete employee benefits enrollment process for new hires and following the annual open enrollment period, ensuring all online and paper enrollment requirements are met.Present benefits overview and complete benefits enrollment paperwork at new hire orientations.  Maintain supply of materials and prepare new hire benefits packets.Verify and process all benefits invoices.  Work directly with carriers to investigate and rectify any billing and enrollment discrepancies.Complete monthly processing for flexible spending accounts and payday 401(k) funding.Distribute plan summaries and other required communications, and complete necessary follow up and recordkeeping.  Prepare and deploy employee benefits communications, which may include emails, intranet postings, flyers/brochures, and mailings.Maintain general benefits files.Process enrollments, maintain recordkeeping, and follow up on issues related to COBRA enrollments.Conduct research as requested on a variety of benefits topics including regulatory requirements, best practice, emerging trends, and market practice.Recommend and coordinate wellness events and activities, including regular internal postings, lunch-n-learn events, flu shots, etc.Serve as a back-up to the HR Specialist and be cross-trained in general HR functions related to payroll processing, personnel recordkeeping, required reporting, etc.Complete special projects and other assignments as requested.

Requirements



Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources or comparable experience.  Additional benefits-related training/certification preferred.

Two years benefits experience or four years in HR with benefits familiarity. Experience or knowledge of 401(k) plan administration strongly preferred.  Experience in a law firm or other service environment preferred.

Familiarity with benefits and general HR functions, procedures, and compliance.  Customer-service focus.  Strong computer skills including Word, Excel, Access, and HRIS (preferably ADP HR/Benefits Solution software).  Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize workload.  Strong attention to detail.  Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  Able to effectively interact with all levels and handle difficult/sensitive issues appropriately.  Must be a good problem solver.  Consistently strong follow-up and follow-through.  Discretion, and confidentiality are essential.

 

Equipment, Physical/Mental Demands, Working Conditions



Personal computer and other office equipment such as telephone, typewriter, calculator, fax machine, duplicating machine, etc.

Sitting for extended periods, standing, bending, stooping, and reaching.  Occasional lifting up to 30.  Manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office machines.  Range of hearing and vision sufficient to operate standard office machines and communicate extensively via telephone, email, and in person.

Able to deal with stress in a fast-paced work environment with multiple priorities.  Make decisions and adapt to changing work situations.  Grasp and apply new ideas and technologies.  Communicate and successfully interact with various personalities at all organizational levels.

Typical office setting, normally Monday through Friday business hours.

 

No phone calls please.

No search firms.

EOE