Summary:

The Benefits, Human Resources Specialist plays a key role in collaboration with the Human Resources Director in management of employee benefits, leave of absence programs, workers’ compensation claims, and HR compliance functions. This position ensures the accurate processing and tracking of benefit-related activities, supports onboarding and offboarding procedures, and collaborates closely with internal departments, insurance carriers, and regulatory agencies. The Specialist also assists with broader HR functions, including new employee orientation, compliance audits, recordkeeping, and policy implementation, promoting a positive employee experience and organizational integrity. This role serves as a key point of contact for employees and supervisors, ensuring that HR practices are effectively implemented in accordance with internal policies, employment laws, and accreditation standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Benefits Administration:

1. Manage full lifecycle of benefits administration, including enrollment, changes, terminations, and retirement contributions.
2. Conduct benefits orientations for new hires and support annual open enrollment, including system setup and employee communications.
3. Serve as the primary contact for benefits inquiries; provide timely and accurate responses to employees and managers.
4. Conduct benefits orientations and support open enrollment, including communications and system updates.
5. Collaborate with insurance vendors and resolve coverage or billing issues; ensure timely updates to systems following payroll processing.
6. Maintain compliance with ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other federal/state regulations.
7. Reconcile benefit invoices and coordinate adjustments with payroll and finance.

Leave Administration:

1. Coordinate employee leaves under FMLA, CFRA, PDL, ADA, and internal policies.
2. Guide employees through the leave process, including eligibility, certification requirements, and return-to-work procedures.
3. rack and maintain accurate leave documentation and ensure timely follow-up with employees and supervisors.
4. Support coordination of reasonable accommodation and transitional work assignments.

Workers’ Compensation:

1. Initiate and manage workers’ compensation claims, ensuring timely reporting to carriers and compliance with regulatory requirements.
2. Act as the liaison between employees, third-party administrators, medical providers, and legal counsel.
3. Track claim status, coordinate medical follow-ups, and assist in return-to-work planning.
4. Maintain documentation for audits and reporting purposes.

Human Resources Functions:

1. Assist with onboarding and offboarding processes, ensuring benefits, leave, and compliance components are addressed.
2. Support employee relations by responding to benefit-related concerns and escalating issues to HR Director as needed.
3. Participate in the development, communication, and implementation of HR policies and procedures.
4. Assist in compliance audits (HRSA, OSHA, etc.), ensuring timely and accurate documentation.
5. Maintain personnel files and ensure compliance with records retention policies.

Payroll and HRIS Coordination:

1. Coordinate with payroll to ensure accurate deduction processing for benefits and leave.
2. Support the integrity of HRIS data by maintaining up-to-date employee records and generating required reports.
3. Partner with payroll and finance to reconcile paid time off and benefit-related liabilities.

Communication and Employee Support:

1. Prepare and distribute clear communication materials such as benefit summaries, FAQs, and monthly updates.
2. Provide high-quality internal customer service with professionalism, timeliness, and confidentiality.
3. Educate employees and supervisors on benefits programs, leave entitlements, and compliance obligations.
4. Deliver high-quality internal customer service aligned with SDAIHC values.

Other Responsibilities:

1. Participate in organization-wide HR projects and initiatives to improve processes and employee engagement.
2. Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, corporate integrity, and data privacy standards.
3. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Human Resources.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field; or equivalent experience.
2.  2–4 years of experience in benefits, leave, and/or workers’ compensation administration.
3.  Strong knowledge of employment and benefits regulations (ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, FMLA, CFRA, ADA, COBRA, PDL)
4. Excellent organizational, communication, and analytical skills.

Preferred:

1. Experience with HRIS systems (e.g., Dayforce strongly preferred).
2. Previous experience in an FQHC, Indian Health Clinic, or grant-funded healthcare organization.

Special Conditions of Employment:

1. CPR/ BLS certification: Maintain a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Red Cross, or an equivalent organization. Certification must include an in-person, hands-on skills assessment. Online-only certifications are not accepted.
2. Annual background checks: Consent to annual background checks as a condition of continued employment, to ensure compliance with organizational standards and eligibility requirements.
3. For-Cause Drug Screening: Comply with drug screening requirements when initiated by the organization for cause, to support a safe, compliant, and drug-free workplace.

1. Ongoing Compliance Requirements: Maintain up-to-date compliance with all required annual renewals, including professional licenses, certifications, physical examinations, TB testing, and mandatory regulatory trainings as assigned by the San Diego American Indian Health Center (SDAIHC

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Strong time management, organizational, and multitasking skills.
2. Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines under pressure.
3. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and comfortable learning new HR platforms.
4. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.
5. Commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and integrity.
6. Analytical mindset with attention to accuracy and detail

   Physical and Mental Requirements:

1. Ability to sit at a computer for extended periods.
2. Occasional standing, walking, bending, and lifting up to 10 pounds.
3. Ability to think critically, perform basic math, and manage multiple projects simultaneously

Customer Service:

1. Demonstrate SDAIHC’s values of Compassion, Respect, Teamwork, and Integrity in all interactions.
2. Provide exemplary internal customer service and foster collaborative working relationships

Quality Management, Safety and Compliance:

1. Participate in continuous quality improvement and risk management activities.
2. Follow all workplace safety protocols and infection control measures.
3. Maintain regulatory compliance in all HR functions, including benefit and leave administration

Privacy/Compliance:  

1. Maintain strict confidentiality of employees and organizational information.
2. Comply with all SDAIHC privacy, security, and compliance policies.
3. Report unethical, fraudulent, or unlawful activity per organizational protocol

Preference is given to qualified American Indian/Alaskan Natives in accordance with the American Indian Preference Act (Title 25, U.S. Code Section 472, 473 and 473a). In other than the above, the San Diego American Indian Health Center, is an equal opportunity employer.

San Diego American Indian Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or any other protected class, political affiliation, or belief.