Payroll Benefits Specialist

Vallourec - Houston, TX

Full-time - Entry Level

Houston, TX

Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers

About the position

The Payroll Benefits Specialist at Vallourec USA Corporation plays a crucial role in the administration of various employee benefits and retirement programs. This position is responsible for managing a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and the 401(k) plan. The specialist will perform essential tasks to establish and maintain accurate employee and payroll records, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In this role, the specialist will ensure the accuracy of all benefits enrollments and will be responsible for sending eligibility and census files to carriers and third-party administrators (TPAs). Quality checks of benefits-related data are a critical part of the job, as is assisting employees with benefits claim issues and plan changes. The specialist will also help distribute benefits enrollment materials and confirm employee eligibility, as well as assist with enrolling employees with carriers and processing life status changes. The Payroll Benefits Specialist will respond to inquiries from both managers and employees regarding plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes, and other general inquiries. Additionally, the role involves processing and administering all leave-of-absence requests and disability paperwork, including medical, personal, disability, and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requests. The specialist will interpret FMLA and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) implications as they relate to leaves of absence and disabilities. Moreover, the specialist will manage 401(k) inquiries, assist with the open enrollment process, provide necessary reports for allocation and billing charges, and respond to government-related requests for Medicare and Medical Support Notices. Coordination of benefits-related events, participation in audits, and preparation of company benefit newsletters are also part of the responsibilities. The role requires checking and auditing benefit deductions and timekeeping records for compliance, reconciling time and attendance records, and posting changes in pay and tax status.

Responsibilities

• Ensures the accuracy of all benefits enrollments.
• Sends carriers and TPA's eligibility and census files.
• Performs quality checks of benefits-related data.
• Assists employees regarding benefits claim issues and plan changes.
• Helps with the distribution of all benefits enrollment materials and confirms eligibility.
• Assists with enrolling employees with carriers and processing life status changes.
• Responds to benefits inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries.
• Assists with the processing and administration of all leave-of-absence requests and disability paperwork: medical, personal, disability and FMLA.
• Effectively interprets FMLA and ADA implications as they relate to leaves of absences/disabilities.
• Assists with 401(k) inquiries from managers and employees relating to enrollments, plan changes and contribution amounts.
• Manages the annual catch-up contribution enrollment.
• Assists with the open enrollment process.
• Provides necessary reports for allocation/billing charges and manages invoicing.
• Responds to government related requests for Medicare and Medical Support Notices.
• Coordinates benefits related events including flu shots, on-site physicals, corporate sponsored health events, etc.
• Participates in audits including 401K.
• Prepares company benefit newsletter information.
• Assists with payroll processing.
• Checks and audits benefit deductions and timekeeping records for compliance with established standards.
• Reconciles time and attendance records.
• Posts changes in pay and tax status, and miscellaneous changes.

Requirements

• Extensive knowledge of employee benefits and applicable laws.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.
• Business mathematics; research methods and data analysis techniques; principles and practices of sound business communication.
• Computer systems and software used in administering employee benefit plans.
• Standard PC business software, including word processing and spreadsheets.
• Understanding of HRIS database integrity and impact of data entry.
• Understanding of Accounting.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in oral, diagram, or scheduled form.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships.
• Exhibits tact and consideration in relations with others.
• Motivated to assist and support co-workers.
• Ability to work cooperatively in group situations and takes responsibility to help resolve conflicts.

Nice-to-haves

• Familiarity with HRIS/HRIM software and the importance of data integrity.
• Advanced skills with MS Office products, i.e., Word and Excel.
• Advanced organizational skills to allow for the easy retrieval of files and documents.

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• 401(k)
• Life insurance