• The HR Specialist is responsible for supporting the company's human resources functions, including leave of absence processes, benefits administration, payroll, and compliance. • Onboarding Implement and continuously improve onboarding processes to enhance the new hire experience, ensure compliance, and promote integration into company culture. • Coordinate start dates and onboarding logistics with candidates and hiring managers. • Prepare, review, and process all new hire documentation, including I-9s, background checks, transcripts, certifications, and other required paperwork. • Submit and evaluate background check results, identify discrepancies or red flags, and coordinate follow-up actions with department leadership. • Conduct new hire orientation as needed. • Serve as the primary point of contact for employee and management benefits inquiries. • Process benefit enrollments, life events, terminations, and system updates in HRIS and vendor platforms. • Track benefit enrollments, audit deductions, reconcile benefit invoices, and resolve payroll or carrier discrepancies. • Collaborate with benefits vendors to resolve issues and ensure smooth administration. • Support annual open enrollment in coordination with the People & Culture Generalist, including communications, system updates, and vendor coordination. • Monitor employee satisfaction with benefits and recommend improvements. • Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and applicable state regulations. • Manage all leave requests including FMLA, ADA, PDL, workers’ compensation, accommodations, and company-sponsored leave programs. • Track leave usage and update records in the timekeeping system. • Maintain accurate and compliant HR records, ensuring data integrity, confidentiality, and audit readiness. • Generate employee data reports and respond to employment verifications and internal inquiries. • Manage employee exit processes, including documentation, final pay coordination, benefits communication, and exit data analysis.