APRIL JONES
Columbus,GA
Summary
Self-motivated Benefits Specialist demonstrating superior understanding of employee benefits laws and human resource software systems. Astute professional providing benefits support in fast-paced corporate settings.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Benefits Specialist (Hybrid) (Contract)
PACIFIC CLINICS
02.2023 - 01.2024
- Administered, processed, maintained company benefit programs including health & welfare plans, long-term disability, worker's compensation, 401k, Flex Spending Accounts, COBRA, leaves of absence for over 2000 employees
Benefits Specialist (Hybrid) (Contract)
HOULIHAN LOKEY, INC.
07.2022 - 12.2022
- Coordinated and administered the company's benefits program which included health and dental insurance, life and disability, and 401K plans for approximately 2,200 employees
Benefits Consultant (Contract)
CURATIVE, INC.
04.2022 - 06.2022
- Conduct plan performance/administration analysis, review and audited automated carrier EDI file for errors, perform vendor management, including carrier follow-up and problem resolution, responded to and resolved a variety of escalated employee benefit issues
Benefits Manager
ST. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER
05.2021 - 03.2022
- Directed benefits administration for 2,000 salaried and hourly employees, both union and non-union
- Managed the company's health and welfare benefit programs; also managed the retirement savings plan for both union and non-union employees
- Managed the open enrollment process for all benefits, including presentations and communication to employees and process monthly insurance billing at 368-bed for-profit hospital and trauma center
Benefits Specialist
HENRY MAYO NEWHALL HOSPITAL
12.2018 - 05.2021
- Coordinate benefits program implementation (healthcare plans, short-/long-term disability, workers’ compensation, Flex Spending Accounts, COBRA, leave of absence), manage annual open enrollment periods, and process monthly insurance billing at 357-bed nonprofit community hospital and trauma center
- Facilitate benefit overview for newly hired personnel during orientation and act as liaison between insurance providers and employees by resolving issues
- Collaborate with vendors, reconcile invoices if needed to ensure accurate payroll data, and deescalate variety of concerns
- Lead meetings with insurance carriers and financial institutions
- Spearhead all benefits communication, policy development/administration, life/health/disability insurance, and retirement programs
- Partner with subject matter experts to deliver high-quality programs
- Track health claims/plan costs and update benefits in Kronos HCM
Benefits Administrator (Contract)
CHILD CARE RESOURCE CENTER
03.2018 - 07.2018
- Administered HR policies, programs, and procedures at resource center for families struggling to find quality childcare
- Served as advisor to consult with employees and leadership teams regarding leave cases, work status, and return-to-work process
- Supplied expertise for leave of absence program as well as FMLA software system operations
- Approved/denied leave cases
- Handled semi-monthly timesheets, guaranteeing accuracy of tracked hours and pay
- Calculated, collected, and maintained premium insurance payments during employee leave
HR Generalist (Contract)
OLD REPUBLIC PUBLIC CONTRACTORS GROUP
12.2017 - 03.2018
- Hired to extend HR guidance for market leader in providing quality insurance products and services for the construction industry
- Onboarded and conducted orientation for full-time employees, company/agency temps, and interns
- Processed terminations, promotions, and internal transfers
- Coordinated with HR Director in regard to employee relations, workers’ compensation, and leave of absence policies
- Updated and maintained personnel files and led exit interviews
- Performed extensive I-9 audits
HR Specialist
AMBULNZ HEALTH
12.2016 - 10.2017
- Maintained attendance information, facilitated payroll, and enrolled staff in medical/dental benefits at non-emergency medical transport company
- Delivered time management system training, problem resolution expertise, and maintenance
- Terminated benefits as needed and responded to employment/unemployment and housing approval claims
Benefits Administrator (Contract)
CENTER FOR AUTISM & RELATED DISORDERS
04.2016 - 08.2016
- Interpreted HR policies/procedures and assisted in benefit strategy creation at local mental health center
- Offered benefit package support and guidance for all employees
- Directed annual open enrollment period, orientation, and related events
- Communicated with vendors and settled invoices
- Oversaw employee eligibility and determined workers’ compensation and short-term disability qualification
- Collaborated with management teams on FMLA procedures and monitored payroll to ensure staff was paid correctly and on-time
- Delivered 401K plan including quarterly open enrollments and hardship withdrawals
Education
Compensation Certificate -
eCornell
Ithaca, NY01.2021
Master of Arts - Human Resources Management
National University
La Jolla, CA03.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
University of Maryland
College Park, MD12.2002
Skills
- Vendor Relationship Management
- HIPAA Compliance
- Life Insurance Administration
- Project management abilities
- Open Enrollment Management
- HRIS System Experience
- Work-Life Balance Programs
- Benefits Administration Expertise
- Disability Benefits Management
- FMLA Administration
- Regulatory Compliance Knowledge
- Data analysis proficiency
- COBRA Administration
- Benefits Program Design
Certification
- Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI)
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Timeline
Senior Benefits Specialist (Hybrid) (Contract)
PACIFIC CLINICS
02.2023 - 01.2024
Benefits Specialist (Hybrid) (Contract)
HOULIHAN LOKEY, INC.
07.2022 - 12.2022
Benefits Consultant (Contract)
CURATIVE, INC.
04.2022 - 06.2022
Benefits Manager
ST. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER
05.2021 - 03.2022
Benefits Specialist
HENRY MAYO NEWHALL HOSPITAL
12.2018 - 05.2021
Benefits Administrator (Contract)
CHILD CARE RESOURCE CENTER
03.2018 - 07.2018
HR Generalist (Contract)
OLD REPUBLIC PUBLIC CONTRACTORS GROUP
12.2017 - 03.2018
HR Specialist
AMBULNZ HEALTH
12.2016 - 10.2017
Benefits Administrator (Contract)
CENTER FOR AUTISM & RELATED DISORDERS
04.2016 - 08.2016
Compensation Certificate -
eCornell
Master of Arts - Human Resources Management
National University
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
University of Maryland