Benefits Specialist

Human Resources has an opening for a Benefits Specialist. This role serves as the organizational subject-matter expert for the administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of employee and retiree benefits programs. Oversees day-to-day administration of the full benefits portfolio and provides consultative guidance to management on existing and proposed benefits programs, policies, vendor matters, and service-delivery improvements. Leads or coordinates complex, institutionally significant benefits projects, audits, reporting, communications, and training initiatives. Works under consultative direction, exercising substantial independent judgment on complex and non-routine matters. This position reports to the Benefits Group Leader.

Work arrangements may be flexible depending on applicant qualifications and business need. This may include regional pay considerations if applicable.

You will

• Oversee and coordinate the day-to-day administration of all employee and retiree benefits programs.
• Interpret, communicate, review, and maintain plan documents, summary plan descriptions, policies, benefits contracts, and related governing materials in accordance with applicable federal and state requirements.
• Provide guidance to employees, retirees, dependents, benefits staff, and management on complex benefits matters.
• Resolve escalated issues and recommend appropriate courses of action when policies or procedures do not directly address the circumstances.
• Consult with management regarding existing and proposed institution-wide benefits programs, policies, procedures, service models, and vendor issues.
• Lead or coordinate complex benefits projects, including implementation planning, requirements development, stakeholder coordination, schedules, risk identification, and post-implementation review.
• Conduct and oversee audits, data reconciliations, enrollment reviews, compliance testing, and legally or contractually required reporting, review results, and recommend corrective actions to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, plan documents, and contracts.
• Develop and oversee training, orientation, workshops, and employee communications related to benefits programs and changes.
• Recommend enhancements to benefits programs, policies, systems, processes, and service-delivery models.
• Represent the Benefits Office on committees, task forces, cross-functional initiatives, and track action items through completion.
• Serve as a technical lead by providing work direction, mentoring, technical guidance, and quality review for benefits staff.
• Partner with legal counsel, consultants, actuaries, third-party administrators, carriers, and vendors on complex or institutionally significant matters.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Management, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Significant experience administering complex employee and retiree benefits programs across health and welfare, defined contribution, defined benefit, disability, and savings plans.
• Recognized expertise in benefits administration, plan operations, compliance, systems, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating complex benefits implementations, audits, compliance activities, reporting initiatives, or process improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to consult with management and develop recommendations affecting benefits programs, policies, procedures, vendors, or service delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex data, direct research, review results, and perform final quality checks.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently under consultative direction and exercise sound judgment on complex, non-routine assignments.
• Experience providing technical direction, mentoring, or work coordination to other benefits professionals.
• Strong project-management, analytical, communication, presentation, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply plan documents, summary plan descriptions, policies, contracts, ERISA, IRS requirements, and other applicable laws and regulations.
• Proficiency with business software and benefits-related systems, including Microsoft Office applications.

Qualifications we desire

• Experience with Oracle HCM.
• Professional certifications.

Pay Range

$96,576 - $168,852 Annually for the H01.4 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

#LI-Hybrid

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

None required.  However, if your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process.  This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check.  

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Section 3112, generally prohibits citizens of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea without dual US citizenship or legal permanent residence from accessing specific non-public areas of national security or nuclear weapons facilities.  The restrictions of NDAA Section 3112 apply to this position.  To be qualified for this position, Candidates must be eligible to access the Laboratory in compliance with Section 3112.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.