Benefits Professional

SUMMARY

A detail-oriented, problem solving, strategic thinking Benefits Professional with several years of operational personnel programs experience, which is reinforced by strong written and verbal communication skills. Consistently applies exceptional customer service and analytical skills to resolve all issues. Good knowledge of Health & Welfare plans, savings plans, and retirement plans. As well as, knowledge of ERISA, HIPAA, and COBRA Administration

Maintains advanced computer competency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Total Benefits Administration (TBA), and PeopleSoft 8.9.

EDUCATION

LeTourneau University (2005), Master of Business Administration (M.B.A)

Texas Southern University (1995), Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Trimac Transportation; Oct. 2007-Feb 2008

Benefits Analyst

• Run weekly 401(k) file, report of total deferrals for payroll comparison and wire submission to 401K company

• Resolve all payroll and benefits deduction issues

• Assist with the development of new or modifies existing job descriptions for each position in the organization.

• Administration of Family Medical Leave and Short Term Disability

• Run weekly queries i.e.… status changes, terminations, off-cycle checks

• Process pension requests for benefits calculation

• Process benefits enrollments

• Run Life/Disability file for monthly billing

• Process Executive plan monthly billing

• Run Health Savings Plan file for submission of wire to bank

• Run Branch Audit files

Waste Management Inc. Feb 2001-Sept. 2007

Sr. Benefits Specialist- Sr. Payroll Specialist

• Maintaining and ensuring the integrity of the data in the HR information system

• Assists in the management of vendor relationships to ensure accuracy in benefits delivery, strong plan performance, regulatory compliance and cost containment.

• Provides administrative and transactional support services for employees' health and financial benefit plans.

• Resolves complex benefits issues related to employee or management inquiries, including appeals.

• Provide guidance and direction to team members responsible for the resolution of complex issues.

• Provide leadership for employee communications efforts, including general communications, recognition, and other communications as needed;

• Assists in the development of benefit communications materials

• Investigates and resolves escalated benefits and payroll deduction issues.

• Conducts open enrollment sessions and one on one session for employees who have reached their eligibility status for both the 401k and Stock Purchase Plans... Provides in-depth solutions or initiates the research to resolve all outstanding issues or questions on contributions, distributions, withdrawals and hardship loans.

• Functioned as the lead for a staff of five Benefits Specialists

• Provide guidance and direction to team members responsible for the resolution of complex benefits issues.

• Review and research discrepancies from medical and dental vendors

• Process monthly vendor billings

• Provides communication of plans to field benefits and payroll administrators

• Assists with the reconciliation of payroll transactions within the payroll operating systems; processes withholding orders to include creditor garnishments, child support, tax levies, student loans and bankruptcies

• Developed and implemented the Qualified Medical Child Support Order process; created and developed all Qualified Medical Child Support Orders and Verification of Employment communication materials.

• Served as a member of the pilot team during the testing and implementation of PeopleSoft 7.0. Assisted with the HRMS, Financials and Payroll rollout.

Bayou City Medical Center Sept 1999- Feb 2001

HR Benefits Specialist

• Monitored and maintained database of accurate enrollment records of 800 plus employees.

• Presented and supervised benefits orientation and monthly in-service meetings.

• Responsible for managing the input and auditing of employee benefits data in the Human Resource Information System.

• Administered STD, LTD and FMLA leaves

• Administered the Medical/Dental/FSA Accounts and process all payroll benefits changes

• Answered questions regarding the 401k and manually enrolled employees during open enrollment and processed all hardship loans.

• Coordinated all HR related functions such as Holiday Parties, Employee of Month, Service Awards, Company picnic, etc.

• Managed company tuition reimbursement program.

• Assisted with background checks, gathering and preparing employment utilization reports and analysis; facilitated the pre-employment testing and security badges.

• Assisted payroll administrator.

• Developed, implemented and coordinated the company’s Ethics Program.

Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) Oct 1995- Sept 1999

Transport Workers Union – MTA Health & Welfare Trust

Benefits Assistant

• Assisted with the day-to-day activities of a Union benefits office for pension plans

• Assisted in the writing and review of summary plan documents, printed and mailed them to the employees of the Union

• Maintained files for more than 3,900 members, retirees and surviving spouses.

• Provided comprehensive, ongoing communications with employees regarding health coverage.

• Compiled utilization reports on all vendors

• Utilized accounts payable/receivable reports and reconciled payments from plan vendors.

• Reviewed and assisted manager with amendments to plan as necessary prior to open enrollment.

• Administered and processed COBRA payments for former employees and retirees

• Audited employee benefit records to ensure compliance with ERISA regulations.

• Participated in grievance resolution between employee, union trustees and plan vendors.

• Processed a manual payroll for 5 Trust employees

• Supervised one direct report and implemented a progressive filing system.

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