Christine Wilkes
Grand Island,NY
Summary
Experienced HR Professional with strong interpersonal and communications skills. Self directed team player with proven ability to develop and sustain relationships with staff and management. Broad knowledge of human resources practices.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Benefits Specialist
Kaleida Health
Buffalo, NY
11.2024 - Current
- Ensure day-today operation and workflows of all benefit plans are efficient, timely, and compliant with regulatory requirements, collective bargaining agreements and company polices for 10,000+ union and non union employees.
- Coordinates administration of health & welfare programs, retirement and pension. Advises on eligibility for enrollment and status changes.
- Provides customer service to employees & retirees timely and accurately.
- Assist Benefits Manager with timely processing of required plan filings including ACA and PCORI.
- Update plan materials, benefit rates as needed and in conjunction with Open Enrollment.
- Administers COBRA medical and dental plans. Coordinates Retiree medical insurance.
- Reviews, reconciles and remits vendor payments weekly and monthly.
- Performs internal and external audits to ensure benefit accuracy. Troubleshoots and corrects inaccuracies, and recommends areas of process improvement.
- Assists with reconciliation, report and funding of 403(b), 401(k), and Pension plan contributions.
- Works as a resource to Benefits Specialists and Assistants.
Benefits Specialist
Kaleida Health
Buffalo, NY
11.2021 - 11.2024
Senior Integrated Absence Specialist
Kaleida Health
Buffalo, NY
08.2016 - 11.2021
- Administration of all Leave programs including Disability, Paid Family Leave, FMLA, Leave of Absences, and Workers Compensation for Union and Non Union employees.
- Worked as a liaison between employee, manager, site Human Resources, and claims administrators in coordinating employees Leave.
- Coordinated employee's return to work to ensure returning full duty when meeting requirements, or transitional duty in situations where employee only able to perform partial duties.
- Coordinated ADA between employees, manager, and Human Resources.
- Provided customer service to employees timely and accurately.
- Audited, reconciled, and finalized payment of sick time and paid time off to ensure employees paid accurately in association with benefit time being paid through carriers.
Integrated Absence Specialist
Kaleida Health
Buffalo, NY
04.2015 - 08.2016
Regional HR Generalist
TestAmerica Laboratories, Inc.
Amherst, NY
01.2012 - 03.2015
- Responsible for human resource oversight for Northeast Operations including 3 Laboratories and 7 Service Centers; and Client Service Organization throughout US (1000+ FTE’s)
- Employee relations, Benefits, Training, Performance Management, Multi State Leaves, onboarding, policy implementation, affirmative action, and employment law compliance
- Serves as a resource to managers and employees for labor laws, interpretation of policies and procedures, performance issues, and questions regarding benefits and workplace concerns
- Partners with Leave Administrator for managing FMLA, ADA, short and long term disability situations
- Handles sensitive HR issues, including sexual harassment investigations and ethical investigations, and terminations
HR Coordinator
TestAmerica Laboratories, Inc.
Amherst, NY
01.2001 - 01.2012
- Provided support to the local Amherst, NY laboratory and related Service Centers by implementing and administering human resources programs and procedures including pre-employment, benefits, investigations, and leaves.
Education
Associates Degree - Paralegal Studies
Erie Community College
Buffalo, NY01.1990
Psychology Major
State University of New York at Buffalo
Amherst, NY01.1988
Skills
- HIPAA compliance
- Benefits administration expertise
- Project management
- Leave Administration
- Data analysis proficiency
- Employee relations
Certification
- PHR Certification, earned January 2013
- Canisius College, PHR Certification Course, 2012
- Niagara County Community College (NCCC), Leadership Development I-IV, 2005-2012
Timeline
Senior Benefits Specialist
Kaleida Health
11.2024 - Current
Benefits Specialist
Kaleida Health
11.2021 - 11.2024
Senior Integrated Absence Specialist
Kaleida Health
08.2016 - 11.2021
Integrated Absence Specialist
Kaleida Health
04.2015 - 08.2016
Regional HR Generalist
TestAmerica Laboratories, Inc.
01.2012 - 03.2015
HR Coordinator
TestAmerica Laboratories, Inc.
01.2001 - 01.2012
Psychology Major
State University of New York at Buffalo
Associates Degree - Paralegal Studies
Erie Community College