The National Children’s Center, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that is one of the region’s largest non-governmental providers of services for individuals with developmental disabilities, offering an array of services to infants, toddlers, preschoolers and adults in the Washington metropolitan area. Our mission is to provide a lifetime of opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live engaged, independent, and thriving lives within their own communities. SUMMARY: The Benefits Specialist is an integral member of the HR team, acting as a strategic partner within NCC by managing and administering employee benefits and compensation programs. Their responsibilities include researching and analyzing healthcare plans, coordinating non-salary compensation such as retirement plans and tuition reimbursement, and ensuring compliance with federal and state laws. They serve as the primary point of contact for employees regarding benefit programs, handling enrollments, and addressing inquiries to maximize the value of the benefits offered by the employer. SCHEDULE: This position offers a hybrid schedule. Candidates must be able to travel to our Main Office in Silver Spring, MD two (2) days per week. This position has an annual salary range of $82,000 - $90,000. The final salary offered will generally fall within this range and is dependent on various factors including but not limited to the responsibilities of the position, experience, skill set, internal pay equity and other relevant qualifications of the applicant. REPORTS TO: Senior Director of Human Resources KEY RESPONSIBILITIES : + Determines employee benefit practices by benchmarking best practices, researching industry and employment trends, and tracking legislation + Recommends development and revision of employee benefit programs by examining, evaluating, and optimizing employee understanding, acceptance, and interests, costs, regulatory requirements, and competitive advantage + Evaluates proposed employee benefit contracts by studying provisions and estimating impact + Explains employee benefits by conducting meetings, preparing written and graphic announcements, presentations, and explanations, and responding to requests for information + Provides management planning and control information by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing employee benefit data and trends + Knowledge of Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) regulations, and other applicable federal, state, and local laws governing compensation + Knowledge of compensation and wage structure + Collaborates with other members of HR team to drive recruitment and retention strategies through the deployment of benefits programs that adhere to best practices and ensure company’s competitive position in talent acquisition with the industry + Ensures the accuracy of all benefits enrollments in the HRIS to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information + Assists with new-hire orientations + Enrolls employees with carriers and process life status changes + Responds to benefits inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries + Processes and administers 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 absence/disabilities + Assists with the open enrollment process QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS : + At least 5 years of proven work experience in benefits administration; experience in a non-profit or association highly preferred + Adept, consultative approach and demonstrated ability to act as an internal advisor + Ability to develop trusted relationships across all levels of the organization, built on professionalism, follow-up, and accurate communication + Strong verbal and written communication skills, including organizational, and project management skills + Proactive and independent with the ability to take initiative. Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines + Ability to work independently as part of the broader HR team EDUCATION : + Bachelors degree in Human Resources Management or Business Administration NCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.