Benefits Specialist I

at  Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Overview:
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.
With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.
At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. These values are grounded in and expressed through the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an anti-racist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, anti-racism and inclusion.
The Benefits Specialist is responsible for the administration of assigned employee benefits, retirement, wellness, leave of absence and disability programs, and will divide their time between the Benefits Team and The Leaves & Accommodations Team. This position is responsible for providing a high-level of employee customer service, ensuring accurate and timely program administration, evaluating and recommending process improvements, and developing and delivering benefits-related communication and education.
This role will have the opportunity to work partially at our campus and remotely.

Responsibilities:

• Research, analyze, and administer the organization’s benefits plans and programs, including healthcare, wellness, retirement, and leave of absence.
• Monitor the Benefits and Leaves & Accommodations Team email inboxes and provide superior customer service to employees by answering questions and trouble-shooting situations, while partnering with internal teams and external vendors.
• Reconcile and process monthly billings from all benefits providers; resolve discrepancies with carriers and payroll.
• Process payroll and time entry for employees on a leave of absence.
• Ensure the accuracy of all benefits enrollments and status changes.
• Appeal decisions made by insurance companies, resolve disputes, and solve problems with the organization’s benefits plans and programs.
• Perform quality checks and audits of benefits-related data.
• Responsible for educating employees about their benefits, including creating documents and presentations and maintaining the employee portal.
• Collaborate with the Benefits Manager to develop and implement an effective on-going communication and training strategy to ensure all plans and programs are easily and fully understood and valued by all employees utilizing an array of media to reach all employees within the organization.
• Develop and standardize effective and efficient benefits guidelines, procedures and processes that are aligned with the organization’s objectives.
• In partnership with the Benefits Manager, analyze and provide recommendations on current and new benefits to ensure a balance between control of costs, compliance, and the organization’s philosophy.
• Partner with HRIS to maintain and update benefits plan details, rules, and set-up in Workday.
• Support the Leaves & Accommodations Team with designing employee leave plans, preparing stakeholders for the absence period, and engaging employees in the reasonable medical accommodation review process.
• Lead special projects and other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent knowledge and skills obtained through a combination of education, training, and experience.
• 3 or more years of “hands-on” work experience leading, building, and maintaining various benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, flexible spending, and wellness programs.
• Hands-on experience with self-funded insurance programs.
• Highly proficient with HRIS systems (preferably Workday) and online benefit enrollment process.
• The ability to implement new employee benefit programs designed to meet organization objectives.
• Approachable and personable; ability to interface with all levels within the organization and respond empathetically to employees experiencing stressful situations.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation and mathematical skills.
• Able to manage priorities in a fast paced and changing environment; excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Proficient with MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong analytical, consulting, and influencing skills.
• Possess a high level of integrity – must always show good judgment and confidentiality.
• Willingness to problem-solve creatively.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Intermediate knowledge of HRIS databases preferred; prior Workday, PeopleSoft and/or Kronos experience highly preferred.
• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) or other applicable HR certification preferred.
  A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.
  The hourly pay range for this position is from $33.40 to $50.09 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.
  This position may be eligible for relocation assistance.
  This position may be eligible for sign on bonus.
  Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (12-22 days per year), paid sick leave (12-25 days per year), paid holidays (13 days per year), paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks), and partially paid sabbatical leave (up to 6 months).
  Our Commitment to Diversity: We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Human Resources at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700

• Research, analyze, and administer the organization’s benefits plans and programs, including healthcare, wellness, retirement, and leave of absence.
• Monitor the Benefits and Leaves & Accommodations Team email inboxes and provide superior customer service to employees by answering questions and trouble-shooting situations, while partnering with internal teams and external vendors.
• Reconcile and process monthly billings from all benefits providers; resolve discrepancies with carriers and payroll.
• Process payroll and time entry for employees on a leave of absence.
• Ensure the accuracy of all benefits enrollments and status changes.
• Appeal decisions made by insurance companies, resolve disputes, and solve problems with the organization’s benefits plans and programs.
• Perform quality checks and audits of benefits-related data.
• Responsible for educating employees about their benefits, including creating documents and presentations and maintaining the employee portal.
• Collaborate with the Benefits Manager to develop and implement an effective on-going communication and training strategy to ensure all plans and programs are easily and fully understood and valued by all employees utilizing an array of media to reach all employees within the organization.
• Develop and standardize effective and efficient benefits guidelines, procedures and processes that are aligned with the organization’s objectives.
• In partnership with the Benefits Manager, analyze and provide recommendations on current and new benefits to ensure a balance between control of costs, compliance, and the organization’s philosophy.
• Partner with HRIS to maintain and update benefits plan details, rules, and set-up in Workday.
• Support the Leaves & Accommodations Team with designing employee leave plans, preparing stakeholders for the absence period, and engaging employees in the reasonable medical accommodation review process.
• Lead special projects and other job-related duties as assigned