Benefits Representative (direct-hire temporary)

Salary Range

Sound Transit offers a salary range of $21.63/hour to $66.34/hour, with a midpoint of $43.75/hour. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, but may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity, and market.

Benefits

Sound Transit offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Health Benefits: Two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 13 days of paid time off annually.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Compensation Practices: Competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity.

Responsibilities

Supports the execution of Sound Transit’s total rewards strategy by providing administration assistance of integrated benefits and leave programs. Day-to-day benefits office assistance includes enrollments, terminations, changes in benefit status, verification of COBRA compliance, and audit billing statements as needed.

Assists with new hires by reviewing I-9 documentation and entering employee information into HRIS system. Responds to requests from employees and management on issues related to benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug insurance, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, retirement program, well-being program, and other benefits.

Facilitates new hire benefits meetings, assists with other benefits events or meetings, assists the Total Rewards specialist as needed, and provides excellent customer service. Assists with Worker’s Compensation and coordinates with WA L&I as needed on claims.

Delivers new hire benefits orientation and may act as a liaison with the agency benefit vendors. Collaborates with payroll to ensure accurate employee payroll deductions for benefits. Coordinates with payroll to ensure any deduction code updates or changes are made in a timely manner.

Collaborates in a variety of other HR related programs, projects, and services and may serve on various committees or project teams as assigned. Attends and participates in professional organization meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the human resources field; maintains awareness of federal, state, and local regulations and impact of changes on the Agency; may work on or have lead on special projects or participate as member of other teams.

Maintains and updates the employee intranet benefits page and benefits department documents folders with current documents and other related information as needed. Assists with benefits communications in collaboration with agency Communications department and the Benefits Manager.

Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency. Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field. Four years of corporate benefits experience; or a combination of education and experience.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications: CBP (Certified Benefits Professional). CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist).

Required Knowledge and Skills: State and federal laws and regulations relating to benefits and leaves. Experience presenting in group meetings and facilitating employee benefits meetings. Experience with invoices and audits. Utilizing Microsoft Office programs for assigned work, including compiling or preparing spreadsheets. Experience with HRIS systems. Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public. Interpreting and administering human resources policies and procedures and effectively gathering and analyzing data related to human resources programs and functions. Maintaining confidentiality and communicating with tact and diplomacy. Detail oriented, organized, with a strong sense of urgency and accuracy. Able to work in a fast-paced environment. Customer service oriented. Identifying and resolving problems in a timely manner using sound judgment. Able to handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, work under pressure, and be adaptive to change. Responding to inquiries with effective oral and written communication.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills: Experience interacting with third party contacts such as consultants, benefit carriers, and brokers preferred.