Benefits and Leave Specialist

Job Summary 

The Benefits and Leave Specialist administers the Bank’s employee benefits and supports leave of absence programs and related Human Resources operations. This role serves as a key resource to employees and managers by providing guidance on benefits and supporting leave matters, coordinating enrollment and leave processes, manages vendors and records, and ensures compliance with applicable federal and California laws, Bank policies, internal controls, and service standards.

Key Responsibilities

Benefit Administration

• Administer employee health, welfare, and wellness benefit programs, including eligibility, enrollments, life events, coverage changes, claims support, and terminations.
• Serve as a primary resource for employees and managers regarding benefit plans, eligibility, enrollment requirements, claims, and coverage.
• Maintain accurate benefits records and employee data within HRIS and benefit administration systems while safeguarding confidential information.
• Reconcile benefit eligibility data against carrier invoices; audit payroll deductions, investigate discrepancies, and ensure data accuracy and integrity.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment activities, including employee communications, system updates, vendor coordination, and enrollment support.
• Partner with brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators on benefit plan administration, renewals, wellness initiatives, and employee education.
• Ensure timely distribution of required benefit notices, communications, and reporting, including compliance with COBRA, ACA, and other applicable regulations.
• Monitor vendor performance and service levels and assist with the resolution of benefits-related service issues.
• Monitor COBRA status for terminated employees; coordinate with the vendor, maintain required reporting, and communicate timely status updates and requirements to affected employees.
• Be the Car Fleet Administrator and maintain repair invoices, DMV registration records and WEX gas milage records.

Leave of Absence Administration

• Supports employee leave programs, including FMLA, CFRA, ADA, PDL, military leave, workers’ compensation, and applicable wage replacement benefits, ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements. 
• Support and assist as a resource to employees and managers regarding leave eligibility, documentation requirements, accommodations, return-to-work processes, and related policies. 
• Support and coordinate complex leave and accommodation cases by assessing eligibility, facilitating the interactive process, interpreting policies, and recommending compliant resolutions. 
• Support and coordinate return-to-work activities, including medical certifications, work restrictions, reasonable accommodations, modified duty assignments, and transitional work arrangements. 
• Support and monitor COBRA status for employees on leave of absence; coordinate with the vendor, maintain required reporting, and communicate timely status updates and requirements to affected employees.
• Support and maintain accurate leave records, HRIS updates, required notices, and reports while ensuring confidentiality and regulatory compliance. 
• Support and assist with third-party leave administrators and internal stakeholders to monitor case activity, resolve issues, and ensure timely communication, documentation, and service delivery.

Retirement Administration

• Administer retirement plan eligibility, enrollments, beneficiary updates, employee inquiries, distributions, and related communications.
• Coordinate with retirement plan vendors, Payroll, and Finance to ensure accurate contributions, deductions, recordkeeping, and reporting.
• Support employee education and communication regarding retirement plan features and participation opportunities.

Additional Responsibilities

• Evaluate benefits, leave, and retirement program effectiveness and recommend improvements to compliance, efficiency, cost management, and employee experience.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of benefits and leave-related communications, guides, training materials, and employee resources.
• Support regulatory reporting, HR audits, research initiatives, special projects, and other related duties as assigned.

Compliance Responsibilities 

Complies with all applicable state and federal banking laws, regulations, and internal policies related but not limited to lending, operations, and deposit requirements, including Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations, Customer Identification Program (CIP) requirements, Financial Elder Abuse reporting laws, Sexual Harassment prevention policies, information security and privacy requirements.

Required Knowledge 

• Working knowledge of federal and California benefits, leave, disability accommodation, wage replacement, and employment requirements.
• Knowledge of ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, FMLA, CFRA, ADA, PDL, Section 125, Medicare, and Department of Labor requirements.
• Knowledge of health and welfare benefits administration principles, including eligibility, enrollment, claims support, payroll deductions, open enrollment, and vendor management.
• Knowledge of Bank policies, privacy requirements, and relevant banking regulations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Strong critical thinking, judgment, problem-solving, organization, and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, customer service, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to handle complex, sensitive, and confidential matters with discretion and professionalism.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with employees, management, vendors, brokers, and external partners.
• Technical aptitude and proficiency in HRIS and benefits systems and Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Basic mathematical and numerical skills.

Equipment Operated 

• Operates standard electronic computers and customary office equipment required to perform essential job functions.
• Use of equipment is required, with or without reasonable accommodation, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).

Physical Requirements & Work Environment 

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Nothing in this description is intended to limit the availability of reasonable accommodation under applicable law.

• Ability to perform repetitive movements associated with office and computer-based work.
• Ability to sit and or stand for extended periods of time to perform essential job functions.
• Ability to lift, carry, or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to use hands and fingers to manage, manipulate, or feel objects and operate standard office equipment.
• Work is primarily performed in an office environment with a controlled temperature and standard office conditions.

Education and Experience 

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required; associate or bachelor’s degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five or more years of progressive Human Resources experience, including benefits administration, leave management, HR operations, or employee relations.
• Leave Management certification preferred.

Minimum Absence Requirement

Some positions within the Bank have been designated as sensitive positions due to access to critical systems, records, or processes. In accordance with Bank policy and sound internal‑control practices, employees in sensitive positions are required to complete a mandatory consecutive absence from essential duties each calendar year to support segregation of duties and independent review.

The required absence will be scheduled in coordination with management to ensure continuity of operations. Administration of absence, including paid or unpaid status, will comply with all applicable federal, state, and local wage and hour and leave laws, including California requirements.

Required Minimum Absence for This Position: Two (2) Consecutive Weeks

Officer Title Eligibility 

For qualified positions, the Bank may designate an Officer Title based on the role’s job level, scope of responsibility, and alignment with established competency frameworks. Eligibility for an Officer Title designation is contingent upon the employee meeting defined competency, performance, and experience requirements and is governed by applicable Bank policies, governance standards, and required approval processes.

• This position is not eligible for an Officer Title.

Compensation

The listed range represents the full compensation range for this position. Placement within the range will be determined based on factors including skills, relevant experience, job‑related qualifications, geographic location, and internal equity, in accordance with Bank compensation policies.

• Non‑Exempt Hourly Rate: $29.00 – $46.00 per hour

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned, consistent with business needs and applicable law.

Farmers and Merchants Bank of Long Beach reserve the right to modify, amend, or discontinue job duties or requirements at any time. Nothing in this job description creates a contract of employment, either express or implied, or alters the at‑will nature of employment.

10/19/2026