HR Benefits Specialist - Travis Association for the Blind/Austin Lighthouse

ABOUT US:

Travis Association for the Blind/Austin Lighthouse (TAB) a non-profit organization, was founded in 1934 by Dr. Henry L. Hilgartner and other civic-minded citizens of Austin to provide a setting where blind men and women could come to learn skills and create products that were sold door to door.

Today, Travis Association for the Blind stays true to the mission established in 1934 by providing opportunities for economic and personal independence for people who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf blind by creating, sustaining, and improving employment. We continue to grow and expand the services we provide to blind Texans.

Our Core Values guide us in everything we do: LIGHT: Leadership, Integrity, Growth & Innovation, Heart, and Teamwork.

TAB offers a variety of benefits to include: 403(b) retirement plan; health insurance; dental insurance; vision insurance; employee assistance program; life insurance; paid time off; paid holidays; employee appreciation events; and more.

Job Summary

The HR Benefits Specialist is a key member of the Human Resources team, responsible for supporting employees with benefits-related inquiries, enrollment processes, claims management, and a variety of other HR needs. This role involves providing exceptional customer service, ensuring employees understand and utilize their benefits effectively. The HR Benefits Specialist also plays a strategic role in evaluating and recommending the best benefits programs to support the overall well-being of all employees. By staying informed about industry trends and changes in regulations, the Specialist ensures the company offers competitive and compliant benefits packages. This position requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to employee care and benefits administration.

Responsibilities

· Provides high-quality customer service and support to employees and management on all benefit related matters, including HR focused topics such as payroll, recruiting, training, etc.

· Supports the HR department in creating and implementing benefit programs and events to help improve the employee experience

· Utilizes an HR information system (HRIS) to enter and maintain accurate employee data

· Leads the company in a wellness first mindset and manages the Wellness Program and supporting events.

Administer leave programs, including FMLA, disability, and other leave policies, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and company policies.

· Identifies or creates innovative solutions to improve HR benefit programs and processes

· Trains and provides support to other HR team members; develops and conducts training to employees as needed

· Supports new employee orientation; ensures all new and returning employees are well-informed on necessary benefits, leave policies, and other information

· Organizes, educates and executes Open Enrollment including updating HRIS with new information

· Assists HR leaders in Leave Management program, including hosting ongoing meeting to review and assess all leave cases.

· Ensures compliance with state and federal laws; FMLA, Accommodations, ACA, OSHA, etc.

· Ensures the confidentiality and security of all employee information and records

· Assists in filing and maintaining employee documents

· Supports the organization's safety and security initiatives

· Supports HR functions such as payroll, recruitment, L&D, KPIs, employee support, etc.

· Complies with and ensures employees understand and comply with TAB's policies and procedures.

· Holds standard office hours to meet directly with employees

· Holds self and others accountable for behaving in accordance with TAB's Core Values of Leadership, Integrity, Growth & Innovation, Heart and Teamwork (LIGHT).

· Performs other duties as assigned or as the situation dictates

Minimum Education and Experience

· *Associate's degree in Human Resources or related field required

· *Minimum of 3 years' experience in Human Resources, benefits or a related field required

· Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field preferred

· SHRM-CP or PHR certification preferred

*A combination of 2+ years' relevant college/university courses along with 3 or more years' experience in a Human Resources or related field may be substituted for an Associate's degree and 3+ years of experience in Human Resources, benefits or related field

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of human resources body of knowledge, to include but not limited to benefits, employee relations, recruitment, training, performance management, and compensation
• Knowledge of HR-related laws and regulations (FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, Title VII of Civil Rights Act of 1964, OSHA, etc.)
• Familiarity with administrative tasks and responsibilities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent computer skills, including MS Word/Excel/PowerPoint; data entry, data processing, communication tools and payroll and human resources software

· Strong empathy and interpersonal skills; able to communicate effectively with supervisors/managers, coworkers, vendors, and other departments.

· Able to coach and advise supervisors/managers and employees of assigned client groups

• Detail-oriented with excellent analytical, problem solving, and organizational skills

· Excellent customer service skills and orientation

· Strong ethics and discretion with confidential or sensitive information

· Able to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing or in alternative form.

· Able to conduct training and make effective presentations to diverse groups

• Able to multitask, prioritize, and manage time efficiently
• Possesses cultural awareness and sensitivity

Supervisory Responsibility

· None

Communication & Contacts Required

· Employees, departments, managers, executives, & vendors

Decision Making/Judgment Required

· Makes decisions as per Standard Operation Procedures and Company Policies

Physical Requirements

With or without reasonable accommodation, employees in this position must be able to:

· Sit and type at a computer terminal for up to 8 hours per day with appropriate breaks and perform tasks that require fine dexterity and repetitive motions using the arms, hands, wrists and fingers.

• Lift and carry up to 25 lbs.

· Have strong dexterity capabilities to grasp, assemble, and manipulate objects.

· Concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

· Coordinate the movement of arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion.

• Bend, stoop, squat, adjust position for 20% of time
• Work in conditions with varying temperature, including cold and/or heat
• Able to work flexible work shift to meet business needs

TRAVIS ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOY

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

• Background Check and Drug Screen required
• Internal and external applicants accepted
• Verifiable documentation of ability to work in the US

Individuals who are blind or visually impaired are encouraged to apply

TRAVIS ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

TAB provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability status, protected veteran status, genetics or any other characteristic protected by law. In addition to federal law requirements, TAB complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

EEO is the law. To review your rights under Equal Employment Opportunity, please visit:www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf