Benefits Specialist

Human Resources Waterbury, Vermont


Description

Position at KORE Power

 

Job Title:  Benefits Specialist

Reports To:  VP of HR

Status: Full-Time

FLSA: Exempt (Salary)

Location: Waterbury, Vermont

 

Company Overview

KORE Power, Inc. (KORE) is headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and has operations in Waterbury, Vermont (KORE Solutions), and Buckeye, Arizona (KOREPlex). KORE is the leading U.S. based developer of battery cell technology for the clean energy industry. With clients in energy storage, e-mobility, utility, industrial, and mission-critical markets, KORE Power provides the backbone for decarbonization across the globe.

Part of contributing to a better world for future generations is our commitment to creating a collaborative and progressive work environment. We offer our employees competitive wages, outstanding benefits, and an opportunity to contribute to meaningful impact. We foster a supportive and inclusive work environment that values unique contributions, encourages creativity, promotes teamwork, and facilitates open communication.

Visit us online at www.korepower.com or on LinkedIn to learn more about KORE and our exciting work to build a clean energy future.

 

What We Offer

  •        A competitive compensation package.
  • Exciting opportunities to further your career with a growing global organization.
  • Purpose-led work with a meaningful impact on the climate. 
  • Generous paid time off includes vacation, sick/medical, and volunteer time.
  • Paid parental leave.
  • Comprehensive and affordable health and wellness benefits, including monthly fitness reimbursement.  
  • Retirement plan with a company match and no vesting schedule. 
  • Tuition reimbursement and professional development training. 
  • Team-building events and outings.
  • Other perks such as monthly cell phone reimbursement.

 

Your Impact

As a Benefits Specialist, you will support the administration of employee benefits programs and will be the day-to-day administrator of all benefit plans through assisting in managing employee inquiries, data entry, and compliance tasks. You will be the primary HR liaison with the Payroll and Accounting departments and will help ensure that benefits programs run smoothly, contributing to employee satisfaction and compliance with relevant regulations.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities  

Benefits Administration

  • Provide day-to-day administration  of all employee benefits programs(health, dental, vision, 401(k), etc.) including eligibility and enrollment, plan communication, plan rule compliance (plan limits, distributions, change in family status, etc.) and coordination with plan record keepers.
  • Ensure that all benefits billing, premium rate and/or plan changes, data-entry, auditing, budget preparation, benefit analysis, reporting, etc. is completed in a timely and accurate manner.
  • Support the coordination of annual open enrollment and employee benefits changes.
  • Ensure employee benefits documentation is up-to-date and accurately filed.
  • Assist in processing benefits claims and maintaining vendor relationships.
  • Ensure compliance with federal and state benefits regulations, including annual benefit compliance requirements such as 5500s.

 

Data Management and HRIS

  • Serve as HR’s designated Payroll and Accounting liaison by reviewing timesheets, supporting payroll processing, auditing payroll pre-processing reports, uploading vendor files, proofing and reconciliation.
  • Maintain accurate records of employee benefits in the HRIS system.
  • Collaborate with Payroll for benefits deductions and tax documentation.
  • Ensure data integrity in the HRIS system, including regular updates to employee benefit selections.
  • Develop, test, and run reports from the HRIS system as needed for audits and compliance.
  • Function as primary HR system vendor liaison.  

Compensation and Compliance

  • Assist in maintaining competitive compensation data and ensuring it aligns with company policies.
  • Help with salary benchmarking and market data collection to support compensation decisions.
  • Responsible for managing workers' compensation claims, ensuring legal compliance, and supporting injured employees through the claims process, working closely with insurance providers, medical professionals, and internal teams to facilitate timely resolutions and safe return-to-work programs.
  • Assist with reporting requirements such as benefits audits, and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.

Employee Communication and Support

  • Act as a point of contact for employee benefits inquiries, resolving questions and issues promptly.
  • Develop and distribute communication and educational materials  to assist employees in understanding their benefits.
  • Conduct benefits orientations for new employees and provide ongoing employee support and education.

           

            Other Duties

  • Provide backup coverage as needed for HR Generalist
  • Provide budget support for VP of HR, including processing of HR related invoices
  • Ensure employee benefits documentation is up-to-date and accurately filed
  • Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications

  • Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting or a related field is preferred. Relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
  • Experience: 5+ years of experience in benefits administration or a related HR role, with basic knowledge of employee benefits programs including health, dental, vision, and retirement plans.
  • HRIS Proficiency: Experience using HRIS systems, such as Paylocity or other platforms, to maintain employee records and process benefits information.
  • Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with federal and state regulations related to employee benefits (including ERISA, income tax, unemployment).
  • Organizational Skills: Strong attention to detail and organizational abilities for managing benefits documentation and maintaining accurate records in compliance with company policies.
  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively respond to employee inquiries and explain benefits information clearly. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with both colleagues and vendors.
  • Customer Service: A proactive and responsive approach to resolving employee benefits issues, ensuring a positive employee experience.
  • Software Proficiency: Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel (basic formulas and data tracking) and Word, for reporting and record-keeping purposes. 
  • Confidentiality: Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality at all times.

Preferred Qualifications

  •    Proficiency in Spanish (both written and verbal)
  •   Professional certification, such as Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) and/or Certified Compensation Professional (CCP).
  •    Experience using Paylocity and Oracle.
  •    ERP implementation and/or integration experience.

 

Work Environment

  •        Must be able to maintain fast pace while completing complex work in potentially emotionally fraught situations with competing priorities within tight timelines and with frequent interruptions.
  •        The job is primarily performed indoors in a traditional office setting.
  •        Extended periods of sitting and extensive work at a computer.
  •        Must be able to travel periodically to other KORE locations and for training and conferences.

 

Work Eligibility

Job applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer and on an unrestricted basis. KORE is an E-Verify employer, and in compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.

Selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

 

KORE is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive hiring process. If you require reasonable accommodation for a disability to access the job application or interview process, please contact Nate Haag at [email protected].

 

KORE is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe that diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives is integral to our success and innovation. KORE is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

 

KORE Power is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics with respect to employment opportunities.