Benefits Specialist

Join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and contribute to impactful work advancing science and technology in nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense. Our culture thrives on innovation and operational excellence, offering a platform for your expertise to drive real-world change.

About the role

As a Benefits Specialist, you will serve as the organizational subject-matter expert for the administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of employee and retiree benefits programs. You will oversee day-to-day benefits administration, provide consultative guidance to management, and lead complex benefits projects, audits, and initiatives. This position reports to the Benefits Group Leader and operates under consultative direction, exercising substantial independent judgment on complex and non-routine matters. Work arrangements may be flexible based on qualifications and business needs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate the day-to-day administration of all employee and retiree benefits programs.
• Interpret, communicate, review, and maintain plan documents, summary plan descriptions, policies, benefits contracts, and related governing materials in compliance with federal and state requirements.
• Provide guidance to employees, retirees, dependents, benefits staff, and management on complex benefits matters.
• Resolve escalated issues and recommend appropriate courses of action when policies or procedures do not directly address circumstances.
• Consult with management on existing and proposed institution-wide benefits programs, policies, procedures, service models, and vendor issues.
• Lead or coordinate complex benefits projects, including implementation planning, requirements development, stakeholder coordination, schedules, risk identification, and post-implementation review.
• Conduct and oversee audits, data reconciliations, enrollment reviews, compliance testing, and legally or contractually required reporting; review results and recommend corrective actions to ensure compliance.
• Develop and oversee training, orientation, workshops, and employee communications related to benefits programs and changes.
• Recommend enhancements to benefits programs, policies, systems, processes, and service-delivery models.
• Represent the Benefits Office on committees, task forces, and cross-functional initiatives; track action items through completion.
• Serve as a technical lead by providing work direction, mentoring, technical guidance, and quality review for benefits staff.
• Partner with legal counsel, consultants, actuaries, third-party administrators, carriers, and vendors on complex or institutionally significant matters.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Management, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Significant experience administering complex employee and retiree benefits programs across health and welfare, defined contribution, defined benefit, disability, and savings plans.
• Recognized expertise in benefits administration, plan operations, compliance, systems, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating complex benefits implementations, audits, compliance activities, reporting initiatives, or process improvements.
• Ability to consult with management and develop recommendations affecting benefits programs, policies, procedures, vendors, or service delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex data, direct research, review results, and perform final quality checks.
• Ability to work independently under consultative direction and exercise sound judgment on complex, non-routine assignments.
• Experience providing technical direction, mentoring, or work coordination to other benefits professionals.
• Strong project-management, analytical, communication, presentation, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply plan documents, summary plan descriptions, policies, contracts, ERISA, IRS requirements, and other applicable laws and regulations.
• Proficiency with business software and benefits-related systems, including Microsoft Office applications.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience with Oracle HCM.
• Professional certifications.

Pay

$96,576 - $168,852 Annually for the H01.4 level. The final salary will be determined based on factors such as competencies, education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business needs.

Benefits

• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (depending on project needs)

Additional Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to both Lab employees and external candidates. While no security clearance is required, assignments longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year may require Personal Identity Verification and approval of a background check. The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Section 3112, restricts access for citizens of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea without dual U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residence. Candidates must comply with these restrictions to qualify for this position.

External applicants selected for this role must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test, including testing for marijuana use as required by Federal Law for Federal Contractors. Depending on job duties, work in Limited Areas may restrict the use of personal and/or laboratory mobile devices, including cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, and wireless headphones. Medical devices paired with mobile devices must also comply with these restrictions unless wireless capabilities are disabled. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities are permitted.