Senior Benefits and Leave Coordinator

BKF is a fast-growing, profitable multi-service infrastructure consulting firm providing civil engineering and surveying services across California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With offices throughout California and the Portland area, BKF has served transportation, water resources, land development, government, and federal clients for over 110 years. We are well-positioned in the marketplace and continue to expand our geographic reach. At BKF, you’ll find a unique opportunity to grow your career with intention. As a proudly midsized firm, we offer a flexible, entrepreneurial environment where individual contributions make a real impact - while still benefiting from the resources and reach of larger organizations. Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. We are proud to be recognized with the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row. The Senior Benefits and Leave Coordinator is a key member of BKF’s HR team, responsible for the administration, compliance, and communication of employee benefits and leave programs. This role ensures that all benefits and leave processes are executed with accuracy, empathy, and in alignment with BKF’s values of flexibility, transparency, and employee well-being.

Responsibilities:

Benefits Administration

• Manage day-to-day operations of group benefits programs (health, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), wellness).
• Lead annual open enrollment, including communications, system updates, and employee support.
• Monitor and audit payroll deductions and benefits billing for accuracy.

Leave Management

• Administer all types of employee leaves (FMLA, CFRA, PDL, ADA, Workers’ Comp, personal, etc.).
• Coordinate with employees, managers, and healthcare providers to ensure timely documentation and compliance.
• Track leave timelines and return-to-work processes, including accommodations and interactive processes.
• Partner with legal counsel and HR leadership on complex leave cases.
• Compliance & Reporting

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, Cal-COBRA). Maintain accurate records and prepare reports for audits, filings, and internal reviews. Stay current on legislative changes and recommend policy updates as needed. Employee Support & Communication Provide clear, compassionate guidance to employees navigating benefits and leave options. Develop and maintain benefits education materials and FAQs. Train managers on leave protocols and employee support best practices. Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field; or a an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. 5+ years of progressive HR experience with a focus on benefits and leave administration. Strong knowledge of California-specific leave laws and multi-state compliance. Experience with HRIS and Benefit systems, Ultipro/UKG and PlanSource are a plus. High attention to detail and organizational skills. Empathetic communicator with a service-oriented mindset. Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a hybrid environment. Physical Demands: Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard and mouse and occasionally lift, pull/push and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations. Work Conditions: Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting. Exposure to high-stress, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required. The typical base salary range for this position is $35.00 - $45.00 per hour and may vary depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location. This is an hourly position paid bi-weekly. Competitive salaries, end of year bonuses, profit sharing, and 401k. BKF pays 100% of the premiums for medical, dental, and vision coverage and 50% for your dependents. Generous vacation and sick time packages. 8 Paid Holidays. Flexible schedules. Education reimbursement, Paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations. BKF offers competitive and award-winning benefits and perks. To learn more click here. BKF Engineers provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. BKF Engineers does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and a specific solicitation for the position or other approved engagement request for the position with BKF Engineers, BKF Engineers reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited submittals are done at the risk of the recruiter. #LI-Hybrid