Benefits Specialist III

Job Description Summary

The Benefits Specialist III plays a key role in the oversight, administration, and continuous improvement of JPL’s health and welfare benefit programs. This position partners closely with internal stakeholders, vendors, and HR colleagues to ensure the effective delivery, compliance, and communication of health and welfare, retiree and wellness programs.

The role provides advanced-level support for medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement-related plans, as well as wellness initiatives and leave administration processes. The ideal candidate brings strong analytical capability, deep knowledge of benefits regulations and best practices, and a proactive, service-oriented approach to supporting a diverse workforce.

This position contributes to strategic initiatives, vendor management, compliance oversight, and employee experience, helping to ensure that JPL’s benefits programs remain competitive, compliant, and aligned with organizational goals.

Ensures compliance with ERISA, state and federal regulations, and contract requirements.

Job Description:

We are seeking a results-oriented Benefits Specialist III who will play a key role in the oversight and administration of JPL’s health and welfare programs. This position works closely with the Benefits, HRIS, Payroll, and Finance teams to support the delivery, governance, and continuous improvement of benefit offerings for active employees and retirees.

The individual in this role will lead and manage key aspects of annual Open Enrollment, support retiree benefit programs, contribute to wellness program strategy and administration, and provide support related to leave administration processes. The ideal candidate must have strong written and verbal communication skills, strong project management capabilities, the ability to demonstrate follow-through, and the capacity to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

This position requires experience working with benefits platforms (preferably Workday), a strong foundation in health and welfare plan administration, and a solid understanding of applicable benefits regulations and best practices.

Responsibilities:

• Support the oversight and administration of health and welfare benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and related offerings.
• Lead and manage annual Open Enrollment activities, including system configuration in partnership with HRIS, review of plan updates, employee communications, testing, and post-enrollment analysis.
• Provide support for retiree benefit programs, including coordination with vendors, communication support, and assistance with retiree inquiries.
• Assist in the development, implementation, and ongoing management of employee wellness initiatives
• Provide support related to leave administration processes
• Partner with internal stakeholders and external vendors to ensure accurate plan administration and a positive employee experience.
• Assist employees by responding to escalated inquiries related to benefits enrollment, eligibility, program offerings, and more.
• Develop and maintain strong working knowledge of the Workday Benefits platform to support system enhancements, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Work with auditors, as needed, to provide data and documentation required for benefit plan audits and compliance reviews.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with typically 6 years of related experience in employee Benefit Administration; Masters in a similar discipline with 4 years of related experience; Ph.D. in a similar discipline with 2 years of related experience.
• Ability to influence and adapt style to consult with all levels of employee and management
• Strong data and numerical analytic skills including intermediate to advance Excel proficiency is required.
• Ability to work effectively and well within the JPL culture (effectively gather and analyze facts, weigh risks and make decisions/recommendations that are right for the organization, the people and our culture)
• Ability to perform extensive data analysis, troubleshooting, creative problem resolution, diagnostics and process improvement.
• Understands HRIS processes to facilitate systems modifications, program updates and testing.
• Highly organized with strong self and project management skills and an ability to meet critical deadlines (time, priorities, resources)
• Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking, reasoning and analytical skills
• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Effective team player
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in situations that require sound decision-making
• Establishes trust and maintains confidentiality

Preferred Skills:

• Workday experience is a plus.