Benefits Specialist, Senior/ Benefits Specialist

Overview
Why OCTA

Discover work that moves you in a dynamic and innovative setting. Be part of a team delivering Orange County's transportation network of today and creating a vision for the future.

OCTA is the county's transportation planning commission and public transit operator. With a focus on safety and accountability, we plan, fund, and implement countywide projects that include bus and rail transit, freeways and express lanes, rideshare, microtransit, paratransit, active transportation, and environmental programs.

We're passionate about creating a balanced, equitable and sustainable transportation system that reflects the diverse travel needs of the county's 34 cities and 3.2 million residents.

Our employees rated OCTA as a top workplace in Orange County. Come join us on our mission of keeping Orange County moving.

Under general supervision, performs full scope of activities related to benefits administration including but not limited to health benefits, supplemental benefits, retirement programs, and deferred compensation. Provides basic research, analysis, and evaluation of agency benefit plans/programs to support potential changes.

Benefits Specialist, Senior - This is an exempt position in Salary Grade 205: Min $97, Mid $116, Max $135,928.00 per year. The starting salary will be within this range based on qualifications.

Benefits Specialist - This is a non-exempt position in Salary Grade 185: Min $ Mid $46.24- Max $53.76 hourly. The starting salary will be within this range based on qualifications.

The position will remain open until a candidate is selected.

Responsibilities
This list is intended to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and is not designed to be interpreted as an exhaustive listing of all tasks required of employees assigned to this job.

Displays High Integrity & Honesty: Takes personal responsibility, acts with honesty and consistency.

Has Technical and Professional Expertise: Has the technical skills, product knowledge and professional skills to do the job.

• Serves as an internal consultant to management and employees as an expert in the agency's benefits programs including but not limited to medical, dental, vision; communicates new and revised information to employees through various media; prepares and distributes periodic employee communications.
• Creates and distributes benefit reports and statements to employees utilizing various systems. Creates and distributes communications with employees for specific benefit plans (i.e. Health Care Spending Accounts and Deferred Compensation Plans).
• Provides benefits, pension, and deferred compensation information to retiring or separating employees.
• Prepares policies and procedures related to benefits administration; assists with preparing Board actions and proposals related to benefit contracts; assists in the negotiation of contracts for benefit services. Tracks and analyzes monthly invoice spending, budget and contract or purchase order totals each month.
• Leads the annual open enrollment process. Develops, maintains, and implements project plans for the annual open enrollment. Develops regular communications to inform employees of feature of their benefit plans throughout the year. Manages and coordinates the preparation and distribution of ACA reporting. Evaluates ACA measurement periods and manages employee enrollment accordingly.
• Utilizes advanced knowledge of related regulations (i.e. COBRA, Section 125, qualifying family events, ACA, 401(a), 457(b), FMLA, CFRA, HIPAA, etc.).

Drives for Results: Operates with speed and intensity, translates long-term goals into immediate actions.

• Monitors benefit providers, and third-party administrators for any developing trends by analyzing complaints or incidents and provides recommendations and action plans to improve delivery of employee benefits. Assists in directing and auditing third party administrators, medical providers, and insurance carriers to ensure plan compliance, regulatory compliance, resolution of issues, and reconciliation of enrollments and billings.
• Documents and maintains administrative procedures and benefit processes. Identifies, recommends, and implements improvements to current processes to ensure that overall performance is aligned with business objectives.

Solves Problems & Analyzes Issues: Has and applies problem analysis and problem-solving skills on a technical and interpersonal level.

• Conducts research, analyzes, and resolves benefit issues such as plan provisions, policy interpretation, procedures, coverage, enrollment eligibility, family status changes, claims, claims appeals procedures and other benefit matters for active employees and retirees. Formulates action plans and recommends solutions or improvements to the administration of benefits. Ensures third-party administrators implement and follow agreed-upon written procedures.
• Develops analytical reports, incorporating industry trends, statistics, and graphics. Conducts presentations.

Works in a Collaborative Manner with Others: Works in a collaborative manner with others, helps resolve unproductive conflict.

• Collaborates and communicates with customers as well as human resources team members to ensure benefit programs are implemented successfully; conducts employee education.

Qualifications
Benefits Specialist, Senior - Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in business administration, human resources, or a related field and a minimum of five years professional benefits administration experience, three of which are at the journey level in benefits administration. Advanced knowledge and experience with MS Excel are highly desirable. Certified Employee Benefits Professional designation preferred. Workday benefits administration experience is preferred.

Benefits Specialist - Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in business administration, human resources, or a related field and a minimum of three years professional benefits administration experience. Certified Benefits Professional designation preferred. Experience with Workday software is highly desirable. Workday benefits administration experience is preferred.

Working Conditions/Physical Activities
(The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. OCTA provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions).

Positions in this class typically require

• Work may be performed in a stressful, fast-paced office environment, depending upon assignment.
• Ability to understand verbal communication and to respond effectively.
• Reaching, Finger Dexterity, Grasping, Feeling, Talking, Hearing, Seeing, and Repetitive Motions in computer use.

Compensation And Benefits
OCTA offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision health insurance programs, flex time (may be available), paid sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, retirement, deferred compensation plan, educational reimbursement, excellent in-house training programs, free transportation passes for the employee and dependents, wellness and ergonomic programs, and much more. OCTA has a hybrid remote work program. Eligibility is dependent on manager's approval.

OCTA is an equal employment opportunity employer that recruits, hires, and promotes qualified people without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, military and veteran status, or other legally protected status.