Benefits Specialist I

About the role

Benefits Specialist I

Gibson Dunn operates as a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies meticulously tailored to every matter, regardless of complexity or stakes. The firm maintains offices in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

This document outlines the role, responsibilities, and requirements for the Benefits Specialist I position within the firm's benefits department. The position is responsible for administering and maintaining the firm's benefit plans. The role conducts benefits orientations, processes payroll deductions and journal entries, and creates and audits spreadsheets used to pay monthly invoices to vendors. The Benefits Specialist I shares a rotation of recurring operational duties and serves as a key point of contact for day-to-day benefits questions. This role reports to the Manager, Benefits and works closely with other Benefits Specialists and the Benefits Analyst to ensure department goals are met.

Responsibilities

Plan Administration and Employee Service

The Benefits Specialist I provides day-to-day administration across medical, dental, vision, and supplemental plans. The role serves on the rotation covering the benefits inbox, phone line, and BAS activity, responding to benefits and basic retirement plan questions. Responsibilities include keeping the firm's benefits materials and communications updated. The specialist coordinates and conducts benefits orientation meetings for staff and associates, generally held twice weekly. Coordination and conduct of open enrollment meetings and assistance with renewals and vendor implementations are also required.

Payroll, Deductions, and Invoicing

Participation in the deduction-calculation (dedcalc) and journals process occurs on the 15th and end of month. This includes auditing reports and CMS entries for partners, foreign, and U.S. staff/associates. The specialist creates and audits spreadsheets to process monthly vendor invoices. Entry of benefit adjustments for employees on leave of absence is required, along with verification that new hires are set up for correct payroll deductions. Weekly carrier transmissions and GVUL imports, plus confirmation statements on the established monthly schedule, must be completed.

Leave, Compliance, and Reporting

Administration of leave-of-absence premium billing is required, including invoices to employees on unpaid leave, 100% premium notices, and return-to-work catch-up invoices. Tracking hours of part-time employees determines Affordable Care Act (ACA) eligibility. Ensuring benefit eligibility and associated premiums are correctly deducted for eligible employees in international offices is mandatory. The role handles FSA reporting, LTD letters, and the San Francisco Health Care Ordinance filing on the appropriate schedule. Support for compliance requirements includes 5500 filings, audits, and required notices, along with maintenance of updated desk procedures.

General Duties

Drafting and updating employee-facing benefits communications and training materials is part of the role. Working on special projects as assigned and performing a variety of tasks as required are expected.

Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree is required. At least 2 years of employee benefits experience is mandatory. Knowledge of COBRA, HIPAA, and ERISA rules is required to ensure compliance across jurisdictions. Strong Microsoft PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, and Excel skills are essential for daily execution. Knowledge of PeopleSoft/Oracle and Microsoft Office applications is necessary; Workday experience is a plus. A high level of integrity and the ability to handle confidential information are non-negotiable. The ability to work overtime as necessary is required.

Compensation and Location

The position is based in Los Angeles or Washington D.C. Compensation for this role is a base salary of $92,000 per year.

Practical Information

The successful candidate will be highly organized to effectively plan, track, evaluate and follow-up on multiple priorities for multiple people. The ability to work both independently and collaboratively while managing recurring deadlines within a shared rotation is essential. Excellent interpersonal skills and a sense of urgency around customer service are required. Excellent oral and written communication skills are necessary to establish rapport and credibility with all levels of management, employees, and vendors.

Confirmation of specific details is available What you'll do