Job Title

Job Family

Job Code

Job Exempt

Benefits Analyst

Non_Bargaining

AHM58

Pay Grade

Pay Rate Type

Minimum

Midpoint

Maximum

NB111

Salary

$29.73

$37.90

$46.07

Job Description

This position is a professional-level HR analyst assigned to the Employee Benefits function. Work involves the administration of benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending account (FSA), and related communication/promotional activities. Is responsible for administration of retirement plans, retirement counseling, and calculation of pension payments. Participates in the selection of benefits vendors and technology solutions/systems. Assists in the development of policies and procedures. Assignments include project lead responsibilities. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Employee Benefits Supervisor and reviewed for application of sound professional judgment through discussions, reports submitted, and results obtained.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources Management, Business, Public Administration, or related field, project management/lead experience, and a minimum of four (4) years professional-level Human Resources Management experience, three (3) of which must have been in the development and administration of employee benefits programs; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Proficiency in the use of computers, Microsoft business applications, and HRIS required. Working knowledge of state and federal regulations relevant to the development/administration of benefits programs required.

Responsibilities

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

Note: The listed duties are only illustrative and are not intended to describe every function that may be performed by this job class. The omission of specific statements does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed if such duties are a logical assignment to the position.

Supports the Employee Benefits Section in the implementation and administration of the City’s benefit programs, including: Healthcare, Dental, Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Life/AD&D, Flexible Spending Accounts, Retiree and COBRA billing, etc.

Conducts retirement counseling and retirement benefits calculations, maintains actuarial data; generates periodic reports; and may serve as the subject matter expert for any questions related to the actuarial data in order for the actuaries to be able to determine the future financial needs for the City for budgeting reasons.

Researches and responds to inquiries related to enrollment, changes, claims, plan design, and compliance issues for benefit plans.

Works with benefit consultants, insurance carriers (vendors), and staff to address and resolve the more complex benefit related issues; makes recommendations to management.

Participates in planning and administration of open enrollment process, including development and distribution of informational material and coordination of training sessions.

Provides advice and support to Human Resources staff on technical benefit issues.

Assists in the evaluation and selection of benefit vendors , technology solutions, and other services that support the employee benefits function.

Participates in the maintenance, testing, and modifications to HRIS and related systems.

Analyzes current and proposed regulations, policies, and procedures to determine impact on employee benefits; makes recommendations for changes as appropriate.

Conducts process/workflow analysis to ensure efficient operations; develops/revises operating procedures to document processes and train staff.

Serves as project manager or lead for major or special projects; schedules, assigns, and oversees the work of project team members.

Administers the new hire benefit orientation process, including preparing benefit orientation materials, conducting benefit presentations, assisting employees with benefit election questions and issues, and processing and entering new hire benefits in HRIS and vendor systems.

Tracks, researches, and processes all benefit-eligible terminations in a timely manner to meet departmental/organizational deadlines.

Educates, advises, and trains managers on proper separation procedures within their department including how to properly document separations to determine retirement eligibility along with rehire status and separation reasons.

Audits bi-weekly benefit retros and adjustments for accuracy and makes corrections with Payroll as necessary.

Audits monthly benefits portion of payroll for three pension funds to determine if changes and reason for adjustment are accurate. For example, John Smith's check increases by $500, would need to determine whether John's check increased due to a cost of living adjustment, insurance change, federal withholding change, income deduction order, etc.

Audits cost of living adjustments (COLAs) for three pension funds, utilizing each specific fund's rules in order to determine the accuracy of the timing and amount of the COLA for the retiree, survivor, or recipient.

Manages death notifications, including researching validity of a notification, processing in HRIS systems, and requesting and tracking pension overpayment reversals or repayments.

Audits and reviews new hire and retirement files for accuracy.

Creates and modifies benefit guides for HRIS and related systems on a biannual basis.

Reviews employee's service credit to determine if there were hours lost or pension contributions missing during the calendar year, fiscal year, or other specific period of time. Additionally, this review can occur as the need arises. This involves determining the reasons and/or validity for shortages of hours and/or pension contributions through researching payroll and other reports indicating lost time.

Manages the repayment of lost time and time reconnecting processes; calculates the amounts owed for lost pension contributions and provides impacted employees the options of repayment; when an employee is out for an extended leave, such as military, tracks the leave and recreates an employee's pay by reviewing payroll, contracts, and other compensation research; and for rehired pension participants, provides employees with interest computations, along with lump sum and payroll deduction options, which are tracked for accuracy purposes and the recrediting of compensation and service.

Represents Benefits; may serves as the subject matter expert and main contact for: Fire, Police, City, Board Attorneys, Union Representatives, and actuaries for anything pension related; answers questions; and provides explanations for anything related to retirement, disability, policy and procedures, pension scenarios, and other related requests.

Provides calculation of lump sum payments for separated employees and/or retirements along with options for rollovers; reviews financial consequences for making earlier withdrawals; and also calculates retiree's prorated bonuses along with other special pays upon retirement.

Each month, tracks pensions payments for members or beneficiaries to ensure no overpayments occur; tracks when deferred participants should begin future retirement benefits.

Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of federal and state regulations that impact /govern employee benefits and pension plans.

Knowledge of statistical/analytical evaluation techniques.

Knowledge of City policies, procedures, and bargaining agreements.

Skilled in the use of computers, Microsoft business applications, and HRIS.

Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in written form.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City Officials, employees, outside agencies, and the general public.

Ability to plan, organize, and manage projects.

Ability to assign, schedule, and review the work of project team members.

Ability to conduct process/workflow analysis to ensure efficient and effect operations.

Ability to analyze, develop, and implement operating procedures.

Ability to analyze and interpret financial and statistical data.

Ability to analyze facts and exercise sound judgement in arriving at conclusions.

Ability to develop and make presentations.

Ability to apply knowledge and skills in a collaborative work setting.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROMOTION: N/A.