Benefits Specialist @ American Veterinary Group

Join Our Team as a Benefits Specialist – Tampa, FL (Hybrid) At American Veterinary Group (AVG), we are committed to Nurturing Relationships, Acting with Integrity, Communicating Transparently, and Pursuing Excellence.

• The Benefits Specialist is responsible for day-to-day administration of the organization’s employee benefit programs and serves as a primary resource for employees regarding benefit eligibility, enrollment, coverage, and plan administration.
• This position works closely with Benefits leadership, employees, HR partners, payroll, benefit vendors, carriers, and third-party administrators to ensure accurate and timely administration of health and welfare and retirement programs.
• The Benefits Specialist provides responsive employee support while maintaining benefit records, processing enrollment changes, administering qualifying life events, assisting with leave-related benefit matters, and ensuring benefit programs are administered consistently with plan documents and applicable regulations.
• Administer employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, HSA, FSA, 401(k), COBRA, and other benefit programs.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for employee benefit questions and provide clear explanations regarding eligibility, coverage, enrollment, deductions, claims, and benefit plan provisions.
• Oversee new hire benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations, dependent changes, and other benefit-related transactions.
• Monitor EDI file exchanges with each vendor and resolve discrepancies as needed.
• Review benefit elections and supporting documentation to ensure changes comply with plan provisions and applicable Section 125 requirements.
• Monitor benefit enrollment deadlines and follow up with employees regarding incomplete or outstanding elections and documentation.
• Coordinate benefit coverage changes with insurance carriers, third-party administrators, payroll, and HRIS/benefits administration systems.
• Research and resolve complex eligibility, enrollment, coverage, and payroll deduction discrepancies.
• Assist employees with benefit claim and carrier issues and coordinate escalated matters with vendors as appropriate.
• Support COBRA administration, including reviewing qualifying events and ensuring required information is transmitted accurately and timely to the COBRA administrator.
• Assist with administration of employee benefits during FMLA and other approved leaves of absence, including employee premium collection and benefit status changes.
• Support Leave administration with employee leave programs, including FMLA, state and local leave laws, personal leaves of absence, and company leave policies.
• Coordinate STD/LTD claims administration.
• Assist with paid parental leave process.
• Review payroll benefit deductions and identify discrepancies requiring correction.
• Maintain accurate employee benefit records and documentation.
• Assist with annual Open Enrollment activities, including employee communications, system testing, enrollment support, and post-enrollment audits.
• Support new-hire orientation and benefit education programs.
• Coordinate with benefit vendors regarding eligibility files, enrollment issues, employee questions, and administrative concerns.
• Assist with preparation and distribution of required benefit notices and employee communications.
• Maintain confidentiality of employee and protected health information and comply with HIPAA privacy requirements.
• Support benefit audits and compliance activities.
• Assist with 401(k) enrollment, eligibility, contribution, and participant administration issues.
• Identify opportunities to improve benefit administration processes and employee service.
• Perform other benefit-related duties and special projects as assigned