Position Summary
The Benefits Specialist plays a critical operational and analytical role in managing the quantitative, financial, and compliance workflows of our total rewards program. Reporting to the Benefits Manager, this position is heavily focused on hands-on retirement plan administration, serving as the primary operator for 401(k) and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (SERP), alongside HSA funding, complex billing reconciliations, missed deduction tracking, and ACA compliance. Additionally, this role leads Benefits Hub system configuration (UKG Pro), performs routine benefit audits, and provides operational support for core health, welfare, and leave of absence programs.
Responsibilities
- Advanced 401(k) and Executive Retirement (SERP) Administration
- Execute 401(k) contribution funding, upload payroll files, and perform line-by-line payroll-to-recordkeeper reconciliations.
- Monitor and track Long-Term, Part-Time (LTPT) employee eligibility and automatic enrollment/escalation features.
- Audit participant status flags and deferral rate changes.
- Oversee administration and recordkeeping for Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (SERP), tracking executive contributions, employer credits, deferral elections, vesting schedules, and payout distributions.
- Coordinate and support non-discrimination testing (NDT).
- Calculate and audit annual discretionary match.
- Oversee missed benefits deduction processes, tracking arrears, setting up payroll catch-up deductions, and resolving balance discrepancies.
- Maintain and distribute retirement communications such as plan documents, Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs), Summary of Material Modifications (SMMs), and required annual employee notices
- Lead annual 401(k) plan audits, year-end census data validation, and Form 5500 filings.
- Manage employee and employer Health Savings Account (HSA) funding files, error corrections, and payroll reconciliations.
- Lead ongoing Affordable Care Act (ACA) administration, including full-time employee measurement period tracking, eligibility determination, annual 1094-C/1095-C filings, and employee distribution.
- Conduct routine and request-based benefit enrollment audits across internal systems and carrier portals to ensure zero data drift.
- Support employee education programs related to benefits.
- Serve as a subject matter expert for escalated employee inquiries regarding health, welfare, retirement, and wellness programs.
- Interact directly with benefit brokers, recordkeepers, third-party administrators (TPAs), and insurance carriers to resolve administrative and service issues.
- Perform special HR/benefits projects and additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, plus 4–6+ years of direct experience in employee benefits administration with strong exposure to retirement plan operations and financial reconciliation.
- High proficiency in UKG Pro (specifically Benefits Setup/Admin modules) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Deep operational knowledge of 401(k) mechanics, SERP/deferred compensation rules, and NDT concepts.
- Comprehensive understanding of ACA reporting rules, Form 5500 preparation, ERISA compliance, and payroll deduction structures.
- Demonstrated experience handling complex billing reconciliations, accounting GL feeds, and leave of absence laws (FMLA/ADA).
- Meticulous attention to detail, strong quantitative aptitude, and ability to handle confidential executive and financial data with discretion.
- CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist), CBP, SHRM-CP/SCP, or PHR/SPHR, preferred.
Annual base compensation range for candidates in Seattle, WA: $100,000 to $110,000
Actual base compensation offered will be determined based on multiple factors which include relevant skills and experience. In addition to base compensation, full-time employees will be offered the following benefits:
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Long-Term Disability coverage
- Short-Term Disability coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- 401(k) with employer matching
- Generous Paid Time Off
Moran Environmental Recovery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
- 4-6+ years of direct employee benefits administration experience
- Strong experience with retirement plan operations and financial reconciliation
- High proficiency in UKG Pro, specifically Benefits Setup and Administration modules
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
- Operational knowledge of 401(k) mechanics, SERP/deferred compensation rules, and nondiscrimination testing
- Understanding of ACA reporting, Form 5500 preparation, ERISA compliance, and payroll deduction structures
- Experience with complex billing reconciliations, accounting GL feeds, and leave of absence laws including FMLA and ADA
- Meticulous attention to detail, strong quantitative aptitude, and discretion handling confidential executive and financial data
- CEBS, CBP, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification
What We Do
MER provides specialized services to clients within the specific Energy & Industrial, Marine, Railroad and Government sectors throughout the United States. The Company is a nationally recognized Oil Spill Removal Organization (OSRO), and our Preparedness and Response team works directly with Federal, State, Local and Private Spill Managers to pre-plan for and if necessary, respond to significant environmental events. Together, the MER Family of Companies is a collection of unique businesses, each with its own expertise and reputation, all integrated together to deliver our culture of safety. The Company provides these services from over 40 locations located throughout North America, utilizing specialized equipment and highly trained personnel. MER believes that by aligning our resources to these specific industries, we can outperform anyone, due to our combination of capabilities and culture.
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