Benefits Analyst

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Benefits Analyst plays a key role in the day-to-day administration and ongoing enhancement of the Bryan Health benefit program through analysis, reporting, legal compliance and communication of Bryan Health benefit programs. This rol specializes in the coordination and administration of all benefit programs, including consulting and advising employees on benefit inquiries and retirement options. The Benefits Analyst implements and audits departmental processes and procedures related to the administration of the benefit and retirement plans. This role will be responsible for annual amendments, implementation, annual open enrollment, maintenance and monitoring of the benefits database system.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.
2. *Administers health benefit and retirement programs for Bryan Health and its entities.
3. *Completes online benefit enrollment data entry for all newly eligible participants in health, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, and voluntary group benefit plans.
4. *Acts as functional lead for benefits administration within the HRIS system. Configures all benefit plans, options and self-service enrollment processes within the HRIS system.
5. *Coordinates with IT, as needed, for required system enhancements and resolving operational problems.
6. *Maintains all plan documents to help ensure compliance with all applicable legislation and assists with benefit compliance responsibilities.
7. *Provides customer service to employees; researches and assists with complex issues.
8. Develops, implements and delivers effective employee communication plans, materials and other documents to ensure employees are educated and informed as to benefit provisions and methods for accessing benefits to make appropriate and optimum use of their benefits. Contributes to the identification of creative means to communicate the use and value of all benefits provided as part of the employee's Total Compensation package.
9. Maintains the employee portal through SharePoint to ensure all information is accurate and up to date.
10. Provides benefits orientation presentation to new employees; prepares and schedules benefit meetings designed to help employees obtain information and understand benefits and other related programs.
11. Conducts or participates in benefit surveys as appropriate.
12. Maintains relationships with benefit vendors ensuring timely communication, regular updates and coordinated efforts in administering all benefit plans.
13. *Strives for continuous improvement in benefit processes; supports and assists in special projects necessary to improve services provided by the department.
14. *Maintains accurate employee benefit and retirement records.
15. Stays abreast of any benefit changes including, but not limited to, contract changes; benefit mandates; benefit program changes; COBRA regulations; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and other district, state, and federal regulations.
16. Administers pension plan benefits by assisting current and former employees with their pension benefits including requesting pension packets, reaching out to former employees eligible to begin payments, distributing deferred vested certificates and managing required distributions.
17. Assists with ACA compliance. Performs standard and initial measurements to determine eligibility, offers coverage to those eligible based on results of the measurement, prepares and issues 1095-C tax forms and files 1094-C tax forms with the IRS.
18. Responsible for annual 401k match true-up process including preparing calculations, collaborating with vendor to audit and verify calculations and communication of benefit to employees. Implements annual re-enrollment provision for impacted employees. Assists Total Rewards Manager with annual audits.
19. Administers dependent eligibility audits to verify that only eligible dependents are covered on our medical, dental and vision benefits.
20. Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise.
21. Participates in meetings, committees and department projects as assigned.
22. Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

(Essential Job functions are marked with an asterisk "*." Refer to the Job Description Guide for the definition of essential and non-essential job functions.) Attach Addendum for positions with slightly different roles or work-specific differences as needed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of the laws and regulations related to employee benefits.
2. Knowledge of the methods and processes involved in operationalizing benefit programs.
3. Knowledge of the principles and practices of health and welfare benefit plans and retirement plans.
4. Knowledge of computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.
5. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
6. Ability to maintain confidentiality relevant to sensitive information.
7. Ability to exercise excellent customer service in all situations.
8. Ability to prioritize work demands and work with minimal supervision.
9. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of personnel, medical staff, volunteer and ancillary departments.
10. Ability to perform work-related research and compile statistical reports.
11. Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree required. Degree in Business Administration or Human Resource Management preferred. Minimum of two (2) years related benefit experience required.

OTHER CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS:

None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

(Physical Requirements are based on federal criteria and assigned by Human Resources upon review of the Principal Job Functions.)

(DOT) - Characterized as sedentary work requiring exertion up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.