Benefits Analyst

The Benefits Analyst plays a critical role in supporting the administration, delivery, and continuous improvement of the City's employee benefits programs, including health, dental, life, and disability insurance; deferred compensation; wellness initiatives; and COBRA and retiree coverage.

Under the administrative direction of the Benefits Manager, the Benefits Analyst applies professional expertise to analyze business processes, design and document workflows, recommend and implement system solutions, and ensure seamless integration between technology and service delivery. This position serves as a key liaison among Human Resources, Information Technology, Payroll, employees, and external vendors to support and maintain the Benefits and Employee Self-Service modules within the City’s Human Resource Information System (Oracle HCM).

The Benefits Analyst is responsible for ensuring data integrity, optimizing system functionality, and providing technical and administrative support for benefits operations. Strong analytical, technical, and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to manage complex data, prioritize competing demands, and deliver a positive employee experience. The position requires a proactive approach, attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous improvement in service delivery and operational efficiency.

• Identifies changes in business processes to ensure efficient and accurate workflow and the best utilization of system capabilities to fit the City’s best practices.   Works with Information Technology and Payroll to develop and implement improved processes.
• Functions as the project manager for the Benefits and Employee Self Service modules of the HRIS system (Oracle HCM). Provides support and maintenance of the system. Acts as the department subject matter expert, maintain, and ensure data integrity by running queries and analyzing data, test system enhancements; recommend system solutions or alternative; and solicit input from and train users on system changes.
• Develops data integrity protocols between Benefits, HR, and Payroll departments internal to the Benefits Module as well as protocols between Benefits and the user groups.
• Execute, update, and audit biweekly and payroll processing of benefit deductions, perform reconciliations and audits of benefit data for new hires and changes to ensure enrollment accuracy, and monitor health premium arrears.
• Analyze the flow of employee benefit data and develops internal procedures, guidance, and training for staff to facilitate the timely and accurate update of employee information and benefit records.
• Analyze benefit processes and make recommendations for improved services, procedures, and structures.
• Develop reports and procedures in conjunction with management to effectively interface with benefit-related systems.
• Review and reconcile monthly invoices for the City's self-funded group health plan; prepares invoice for payment.
• Monitors Group Medical expenditures and revenues to ensure budget accuracy includes tracking expenditures, forecasting budgeted funding, and reconciling payments to the budget; monitor contracts to ensure compliance with negotiated benefits. 
• Responsible for creating and maintaining purchase orders in Oracle HCM.
• Maintains effective communications with the carriers and vendors and works together to resolve administrative problems and discrepancies.
• Serve as a point of contact for various health & welfare employee benefits programs, such as group health, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, 401(a), 457(b), wellness program and initiatives, and employee assistance program.
• Assists and advises employees on benefits matters regarding eligibility, claims resolution, coverage, and provisions.
• Assist in coordinating and planning annual benefit open enrollment meetings; attend vendor-sponsored education sessions to assist employees as needed.
• Participates in or independently conducts special projects, research, studies, and/or analysis pertaining to Benefits area.
• Monitors, reviews and supervises benefits/payroll maintenance, i.e., insurance changes, new hires, separations, report distribution, records retention.
• May guide and/or assist with Benefits initiatives and/or events such as wellness days, open enrollment, or provide general information and support for employees as needed.

Knowledge of:

• Various types of benefits such as health, dental, vision insurance, retirement plans, leave policies, wellness programs, and employee assistance programs.
• Laws and regulations related to benefits, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and COBRA.
• Financial and accounting principles as they relate to benefits planning and analysis, including cost-benefit analysis and budgeting.
• Data collection, analysis, and interpretation techniques to evaluate benefits programs and identify trends with an intermediate level of understanding

Skilled in:

• Communicating both verbally and in writing to explain complex benefits information clearly to employees and negotiate with vendors.
• The use of spreadsheet and database applications, data query tools, word processing software, electronic mail, and internet search tools.
• In the use of least one complex human resource and payroll computer-based system (HRIS).
• Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Personnel management – effectively communicate, provide feedback, guidance, and clear expectations to varied professional level colleagues and City personnel.

Ability to:

• Handle sensitive and confidential information ethically and professionally.
• Perform mathematical calculations accurately, analyze data and use this information to optimize benefits program.
• Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• work well with others, including HR team members, employees, and external vendors or consultants.
• Adjust to changes in the work environment, manage competing demands, and deal with frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Insurance Administration, Healthcare Administration, Public or Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field WITH 
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in professional human resource management functions providing a broad knowledge of a variety of aspects of human resources analysis and/or administration with specific knowledge in Benefits and/or HRIS 
• Experience working with Oracle or other HRIS system to include report generation, data integrity, and analysis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with report writing software such as Microsoft Access, Power BI, Crystal Reports, and/or Oracle OTBI preferred. 
• Professional Certifications (CEBS, SHRM-CP or greater).
• Experience in local government within the State of Florida, particularly in self-insured and union environments.
• Experience in servicing employee benefits programs with exposure to wellness initiatives, open enrollment, or general benefits education, emphasizing employee experience and effective communication.

Additional experience is accepted as a minimum requirement in lieu of the postsecondary degree on the following basis: additional four (4) years in lieu of the bachelor’s degree, and additional two (2) years in lieu of an associate degree.

POST OFFER PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING REQUIREMENTS:

Final offer and employment are contingent upon successful completion of the following post-offer, pre-employment screening items:

• Criminal Background Check
• Education Verification
• Certification/License Verification