Leave of Absence- Benefits Specialist

About the position

OUC - The Reliable One, is presently seeking a Leave of Absence- Benefits Specialist to join the Employee Experience division. At OUC, we don't just work - we're building a bright future of innovation and transformation for future generations. We are seeking a knowledgeable and detail-oriented professional to support our employees and retirees by administering benefits, leave of absence, and retirement programs with care, accuracy, and professionalism. In this role, you'll be the go-to person for employee questions and ensure compliance and timely processing of a wide range of programs, from FMLA, ADA accommodations, and retirement. OUC is an industry leader and the second largest municipal utility in Florida, committed to innovation, sustainability, and our community. OUC's mission is to provide exceptional value to our customers and community by delivering sustainable, reliable services and solutions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact for employee and retiree inquiries on benefits, leave, and retirement.
• Administer benefits and leave programs, including FMLA, ADA, STD/LTD, and retirement plan activities.
• Collaborate with internal teams and vendors to ensure accurate processing, reporting, and compliance.
• Support open enrollment, new hire orientations, and day-to-day benefits operations.
• Assist with audits, reconciliations, and continuous process improvements.
• Stay up to date on laws and regulations affecting benefits and leave administration.
• Manage the administration of medical, dental, vision, and other health benefits, including data tracking and reporting.
• Handle retirement program enrollments, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, accident and death claims, rollovers, distributions, loans, hardships and compliance testing.
• Generate and provide reports, data, documentation and other administrative and logistical support on an ongoing basis for all benefits, retirement and leave programs.
• Review and process all benefits, leave of absence and retirement forms and support documentation ensuring accuracy and compliance with HR policies.
• Partner with the benefits and wellness teams to provide front-facing support for annual benefits open enrollment process and benefits orientations for new hires.
• Document standard operating procedures.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Payroll, IT, HRIS, etc.) and external vendors to conduct process improvement audits.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field from an accredited college or university.
• 3+ years of experience in benefits, leave administration, accommodations, or retirement programs.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations such as ADA, FMLA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and ERISA.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable working with HR systems and data reporting tools.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience partnering with third-party vendors, brokers, and insurance carriers to communicate, deliver, administer, and manage benefit, retirement, and leave of absence programs.
• SHRM or HRCI Certified Professional or similar HR certifications.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision benefits and paid life insurance premiums with no probationary period.
• OUC's Hybrid Retirement Program includes a fully-funded cash balance account, defined contribution with employer matching along with a health reimbursement account.
• Generous paid vacation, holidays, and sick time.
• Paid parental leave.
• Educational Assistance Program, to include tuition reimbursement, paid memberships in professional associations, paid conference and training opportunities.
• Wellness incentives and free access to all on-site OUC fitness facilities.
• Access to family-oriented recreational areas.
• Paid Conference and Training Opportunities.
• Free downtown parking.
• Hybrid work schedule.