Benefits and Leave Administrator

NextDecade
parental leave, sick time
United States, Texas, Brownsville
Jun 10, 2025
ABOUT NEXTDECADE CORPORATION NextDecade Corporation is an energy company accelerating the path to a net-zero future. Leading innovation in more sustainable LNG and carbon capture solutions, NextDecade is committed to providing the world access to cleaner energy. Through our subsidiaries Rio Grande LNG and NEXT Carbon Solutions, we are developing a 27 MTPA LNG export facility in South Texas along with one of the largest carbon capture and storage projects in North America. We are also working with third-party customers around the world to deploy our proprietary processes to lower the cost of carbon capture and storage and reduce CO2 emissions at their industrial-scale facilities. NextDecade's common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol "NEXT." NextDecade is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit www.next-decade.com . SUMMARY OF THE ROLE The Benefits and Leave Management Administrator is responsible for supporting the administration of employee benefits and leave programs while also providing payroll support. This role will serve as the first point of contact for employee inquiries about benefits, time off and payroll. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills, a solid understanding of benefits, and the ability to support employees through the benefits and leave processes. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Benefits Administration: -Respond to employee questions about benefits programs, including health insurance, wellness initiatives, and other voluntary benefits. -Assist employees with benefits enrollment, changes, and claims resolution. -Conduct regular audits of benefits data to ensure accuracy and compliance. -Monitor and review weekly EDI carrier file feeds and address discrepancies. -Track and review monthly benefits invoices. -Support annual open enrollment and delivery of employee communication. -Assist with logistics and coordination of benefit-related events. Leave Management: -Respond to employee questions about leave programs, including FMLA, parental leave, short-term and long-term disability, and personal leaves of absence. -Process and track leave requests, ensuring compliance with company policies and applicable regulations (e.g., FMLA, ADA). -Serve as the primary point of contact for employees regarding leave policies and procedures. -Maintain accurate and confidential leave records, documenting leave dates, durations, and relevant documentation. -Coordinate with HSSE and Occupational Health Lead Advisor on return-to-work process and related accommodations. Employee Education, Support, & Communication: -Conduct weekly benefit orientation sessions for new hires. -Address employee questions and provide guidance on benefits enrollment, changes, and claims resolution in a timely manner. -Communicate changes or updates to leave and benefits procedures. -Conduct informational sessions on leave policies and benefits programs for employees in Brownsville. Payroll Support * Address general payroll inquiries from employees. * Assist supervisors in reviewing and approving employee timecards before payroll processing. * Manage employee time off, sick leave, vacation, and FMLA tracking. * Maintain the confidentiality and security of employee data. EDUCATION, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, & COMPETENCIES Basic Requirements: -Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field. -3+ years of experience in benefits administration and leave management. -Knowledge of federal and state laws related to benefits and leave including COBRA, ACA, FMLA, ADA, HIPAA and other relevant policies to ensure compliance. -Proficiency with HRIS systems and benefits management software (e.g., Workday, ADP). -Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. -High attention to detail and the ability to handle confidential information. -Analytical and problem-solving skills. -Intermediate Excel skills for data manipulation and reporting. Preferred Requirements: -Certification in HR or Benefits Administration (e.g., PHR, SHRM-CP, CEBS). -Experience with payroll support. -Experience with employee wellness and engagement programs. -Experience in the energy / oil & gas industry. Work Environment This position operates in a professional office environment with occasional work within or outside of a complex construction environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers/fax, filing cabinets, etc. This is primarily a sedentary role; however, the incumbent must be able to stand and/or sit continuously to perform all essential job functions for a full shift. Able to meet the following physical demands of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations: * Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. as required in order to lift files, boxes and office equipment as necessary. * Ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending, standing, or climbing as necessary to perform these functions. * While performing the duties of this role, the incumbent may be required to talk or hear. * The incumbent is required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. * Ability to move throughout all areas of each office/site location and facilities. * Able to wear all necessary PPE equipment to perform job functions. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. NEXTDECADE VALUES* * Safety - We make safety a priority. Everything we do relies on the safety of our people and the communities around us. * Integrity - We do the right thing, and are open, ethical, and fair. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in all that we do. * Honesty - We value truth and honesty in ourselves and others. We honor our commitments and take responsibility for our actions. * Respect - We listen, and respect people, the environment, and the communities in which we live and work. * Transparency - Transparency builds trust. We promote open communication with our people, our customers, and all our stakeholders. * Diversity - We value diversity of people and thought. It takes people with different strengths, ideas, and cultural backgrounds to make our company succeed.