Job Details

About the Role:

As a Senior Benefits Specialist, you will serve as a trusted expert and primary point of contact for employee benefits. You'll play a critical role in administering, communicating, and continuously improving our benefits programs to ensure they are compliant, competitive, and aligned with organizational goals.

In this role, you will manage a broad portfolio of benefits programs-including health and welfare, retirement, leave of absence, and wellness programs-while partnering closely with vendors, brokers, and internal stakeholders. You'll support employees through complex benefit questions, resolve issues with care and discretion, and ensure our programs meet all federal and state regulatory requirements.

This position is ideal for a benefits professional who enjoys combining deep technical expertise with strong employee support and problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer and support employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, leave of absence, and wellness programs

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefit inquiries, providing clear guidance and education

• Coordinate and support annual open enrollment and ongoing benefits communications

• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, FMLA, HIPAA, and state-specific requirements)

• Research, analyze, and evaluate benefit plans and make recommendations to enhance offerings

• Conduct audits to ensure accuracy, compliance, and data integrity

• Partner with benefits vendors and brokers to manage plan performance, resolve claims issues, and support employee needs

• Assist employees with claims resolution and complex benefit issues requiring detailed research

• Develop and deliver benefits training and educational materials

• Act as a subject matter expert in one or more benefits areas while providing backup support across the team

• Support a culture of integrity, service, and continuous improvement

About You

• High school diploma or GED (required)

• Associate degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (preferred)

• Experience

• 2+ years of experience administering employee benefits programs

• Strong working knowledge of health, welfare, retirement, and leave of absence programs

• Experience supporting leaves of absence, accommodations, and modified work schedules

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local benefits and leave regulations

• Experience supporting benefits programs in a multi-state environment (preferred)

• Background working with organizations of 2,000+ employees (preferred)

• Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain benefits clearly to employees

• High attention to detail and commitment to compliance and data accuracy

• Excellent customer service skills and a solutions-oriented mindset

• Strong organizational and time-management skills; able to manage multiple priorities

• Analytical skills to review benefits data, costs, utilization, and employee feedback

• Ability to build effective relationships with employees, colleagues, and external vendors

• Comfort working with HRIS and benefits administration systems

• Adaptability in a changing regulatory and business environment

• High ethical standards and discretion when handling sensitive information

The pay range for this role is $25.00 to $32.00.

The pay rate for the selected candidate is dependent upon a variety of non-discriminatory factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, education, and geographic location. The role may be eligible for performance-based incentive compensation, and those details will be provided during the recruitment process.

Primary Location: Ability to work fully onsite at posted location(s).

1301 A Street Tacoma WA 98402

Our Benefits:

We are proud to offer a competitive total rewards package including base wages and comprehensive benefits.

We offer eligible associates comprehensive healthcare coverage (medical, dental, and vision plans), a 401(k)-retirement savings plan with employer match for qualifying associate contributions, an employee assistance program, life insurance, disability insurance, tuition assistance, mental health resources, identity theft protection, legal support, auto and home insurance, pet insurance, access to an online discount marketplace, and paid vacation, sick days, volunteer days, and holidays. Benefit eligibility begins the first day of the month following the date of hire for associates who are regularly scheduled to work at least thirty hours weekly.

Our Commitment to Diversity:

Columbia Bank is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to employing, engaging, and developing a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, protected veteran status, disability, or any other applicable protected status or characteristics. If you require an accommodation to complete the application or interview(s), please let us know by email: ...@columbiabank.com .

To Staffing and Recruiting Agencies:

Our posted job opportunities are only intended for individuals seeking employment at Columbia Bank. Columbia Bank does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies and Columbia Bank will not be responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resume submissions. Staffing and recruiting agencies are not authorized to submit profiles, applications, or resumes to this site or to any Columbia Bank employee and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited unless requested directly by a member of the Talent Acquisition team.