Benefits and Leave Specialist

Dogwood Industries is seeking a Benefits and Leave Specialist to administer benefits and leave programs for our growing modular construction workforce. In this role, you will manage medical, dental, vision, life, and 401k plans, coordinate FMLA, ADA, and other leave requests, and ensure accurate enrollment, changes, and terminations. You will partner with HR, payroll, and managers to resolve employee inquiries, maintain compliance with federal and state regulations, and support audits and reporting. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, knowledgeable in benefits and leave laws, and comfortable in a fast-paced, industrial environment.

Responsibilities

• Administer medical, dental, vision, life, and 401k benefit programs for employees

• Process benefit enrollments, changes, terminations, and eligibility audits

• Coordinate and track FMLA, ADA, and other leave of absence requests

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and company benefits and leave policies

• Respond to employee questions and resolve benefits and leave issues

• Liaise with carriers, brokers, and third-party administrators

• Support payroll with accurate benefit deductions and adjustments

• Maintain HRIS and benefits records, reports, and documentation

• Assist with annual open enrollment planning, communications, and execution

• Support HR projects to improve benefits processes and employee experience Required Skills

• Benefits administration

• Leave of absence (FMLA, ADA, state) management

• HRIS and benefits systems

• Payroll and benefits reconciliation

• Compliance with federal and state employment laws

• Vendor and carrier coordination

• Data analysis and reporting

• Employee communication and support

• Documentation and recordkeeping

• Microsoft Excel and HR reporting tools