Human Resources Benefits Assistant

Our Company:

Tanimura & Antle is an employee-owned family farming business with a four-generation legacy and a passionate commitment to growing premium quality produce. As one of the largest independent vegetable growers in the United States, Tanimura & Antle farms more than 36,000 acres of rich, fertile farmland and ships a full line of premium fresh conventional, organic and greenhouse grown produce products throughout the nation.

We are looking for employees that fit into the Tanimura & Antle culture and want to have an impact on our growth and success. We believe in, and are committed to, creating a sustainable future through innovation throughout our operations.

Our Mission: To “Consistently provide our customers fresh and healthy premium produce with superior customer service that meets and exceeds their quality and value expectations”

Our Vision: To “Operate as a highly innovative company, sustainably growing, while enhancing the lives of all through employee ownership and customer inspired partnerships”

The Role: We are seeking a detail-oriented and organized Benefits Assistant to support our employee benefits programs, with a particular focus on open enrollment. This role will involve assisting employees with benefits enrollment and questions, managing leave administration, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, and leading informational presentations during open enrollment to ensure employees are well-informed and make the best decisions for their needs. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a strong understanding of employee benefits, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Location: Salinas, CA

Areas of Responsibility:

• Assist in the Company's employee benefits programs, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, health savings account, flexible spending account, 401(k) plans, and other employee benefits.
• Answer employee questions about benefits, including eligibility, enrollments, and claims.
• Assist with FMLA/CFRA/PDL/Discretionary leaves, ADA accommodations, and short-term/long-term disability requests, ensuring smooth communication and timely return-to-work processes.
• Adjudicate claims fairly and accurately under applicable laws and regulations, maintaining confidentiality throughout the process.
• Work closely with employees, managers, HR professionals, and the Payroll team to resolve benefit issues, ensure accurate benefit deductions, and leave payments.
• Keep meticulous records of employee benefits information, including enrollment details, claims history, and medical documentation.
• Develop and distribute clear communication materials to educate employees about their benefits and open enrollment deadlines.
• Lead informative presentations on benefits and open enrollment to ensure employees are well-informed and make the best decisions for their needs.
• Assist with the preparation of open enrollment reports and summaries.
• Accurately enter employee benefit elections into our system, ensuring data integrity and compliance.
• Be willing and able to travel on short business trips to our various locations as required.
• Offer general administrative assistance to the Benefits Supervisor as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree (B. A. or B.S.) from a four-year college or university and two years’ experience or a combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the aptitude to meet the job expectations of this position.

Language & Communication Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the ability to communicate effectively in all circumstances. Must have good written, verbal interpersonal and cross-cultural skills to communicate and work with, employees, team-members, supervisors, management, and external stakeholders. Must be able to effectively present information and respond to questions in English and Spanish. Must be bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanish.

Mathematical Skills

Must have the ability to apply concepts of basic algebra.

Reasoning Ability

Solve practical problems, deal with a variety of variables in situations, and determine which option is best suitable given the circumstances at hand.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should be proficient in Microsoft Office (i.e., PowerPoint, Word, and Excel), JD Edwards Enterprise One and Internet software.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Promotes a positive Company image, and supports the Human Resources Department efforts.
• Must be able to maintain and abide by confidentiality.
• Must understand overall employee, Department, and Company priorities as it relates to benefits.
• Must work well with minimal supervision, take initiative, be a self-starter, have a sense of urgency and be process driven.
• Must prioritize workload, track and follow-up with pending matters.
• Must be able to work independently and in a team environment.
• Must have excellent communication and organizational skills and great attention to detail.

This position requires the ability to work well under pressure, be flexible and meet Company goals and deadlines and may require working outside of normal business hours.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

In this position, the employee will sit at a desk and operate a computer; hear; talk; stand; walk; have visual acuity to review and enter data; have the ability to understand speech at normal room levels and on the telephone; and have manual dexterity to operate a telephone and computer. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and color vision.

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: $21.00 - $25.00 per hour

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Salinas, CA 93908: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person