Benefits Analyst

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Benefits Analyst is responsible for, on a monthly basis, the auditing, bill processing and reconciliation of Health, Dental, Vision, Life and Flexible Spending accounts to the city's database. Additionally, the Benefits Analyst assists with the overall maintenance of updated Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Long Term Disability and Flexible Spending records of Subscribers and dependents in the HRIS database. Employee is required to perform all similar or related duties as assigned. Under the Assistant Director of Benefits Administration's direction, working from municipal policies and objectives; individual establishes short-range plans and objectives, own performance standards and assumes direct accountability for department results. Consults with the Assistant Director where clarification, interpretation, or exception to municipal policy may be required. The employee is responsible for the development and implementation of job aids/workflow to complete essential functions. The employee is also expected to attempt to resolve conflicts which arise and coordinate with the Assistant Director as necessary. Position does not require the regular supervision of employees but may supervise the work of volunteers or interns. The work requires examining, analyzing and evaluating facts and circumstances surrounding individual problems, situations or transactions, and determining actions to be taken within the limits of standard or accepted practices. Guidelines include a large body of policies, practices and precedents which may be complex or conflicting, at times. Judgment is used in analyzing specific situations to determine appropriate actions. Employee is expected to weigh efficiency and relative priorities in conjunction with procedural concerns in decision making. Requires understanding, interpreting and applying federal, state and local regulations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Specific duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Critically evaluate data gathered from multiple sources, identify and reconcile discrepancies/conflicts.
• Monitor budget balances and complete analysis of bills against deductions taken and GL postings as part of reconciliation process
• Track, record and review monthly discrepancies as part of reconciliation process
• Maintain and organize spreadsheet to balance and track monthly total of bills, deductions and GL postings
• Reconciles benefit "Administrative Cost" to current HRIS payroll system and the G/L on a monthly basis
• Performs an analysis to ensure there are no subscribers with duplicate plans, unpaid premiums etc. on a monthly basis
• Performs benefit audits to ensure charges correspond to Subscriber's deductions
• Reconciles to ensure Subscriber's Health Care, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending, Long Term
• Disability and Life contribution rates agree per the Group Rates, on a monthly basis
• Analyzes data to minimize Health Care Costs to the City
• Assists with the preparation of mandated reports, e.g. Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Governmental Account Standards Board (GASB) Reporting
• Establishes documented guidelines and procedures on how to handle various benefit related scenarios, e.g., protocols on individuals going on Leave of Absence, individuals going into an unpaid status, etc.
• Assists in formulating and costing management proposals pertaining to employee benefits and collective bargaining
• Monitors and communicates with employees on Leave of Absence to insure benefits do not become unpaid.
• Participates in RFP processes
• Reconcile and pay for Health, Dental, Vision and Life and Flex Spending invoices monthly.
• Monthly billing of retirees/surviving spouses who are not receiving a pension or are balance billed.
• Research and report on unemployment bills; coordinate cost reimbursement from departments
• Maintain training and tuition reimbursement accounts and records
• Communicates benefit changes to payroll and employees by drafting letters/emails and posts changes in system.
• Participate in HRIS system maintenance, implementations, upgrades and testing.
• As part of the benefits team, some benefits administration is required particularly during open enrollment in processing employee benefit changes in Peoplesoft and in vendor systems as well as the monitoring to the Benefits line and Benefits email.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
   

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

 Education and Experience:

College Degree and five (5) years' experience with account reconciliations and auditing; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Understanding of Employee Benefits Administration. Very strong in Excel (e.g. Vlookups, pivot tables, concatenate, writing formula etc.). Excellent analytical skills.
• Ability to handle problems and emergencies effectively; ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing; ability to operate a personal computer; ability to maintain confidential information; ability to maintain, manage, and organize records; ability to deal appropriately with City employees, City officials and members of the general public.
• Very strong computer skills for all office software programs including word processing and in particular spread sheet applications is required. Strong interpersonal skills; excellent communication skills both oral and written;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Understanding of Federal and State regulations including but not limited to FLSA, ADA, MCAD, and EEO.
• Commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Multilingual skills in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian-Creole, Mandarin or any other language spoken by the Cambridge community.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Work requires the ability to access, input, and retrieve information from a computer. Ability to read and analyze large quantities of information. Ability to travel back and forth from office locations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is conducted primarily in a standard office environment which includes fluorescent lighting, air conditioning, computers, and other standard office equipment, but may also involve meetings in other offices or facilities as well as site visits and inspections of scattered site properties around the city.  This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City's Telework Policy, depending on operational needs:

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Vacation and Sick leave eligible
• Paid Parental Leave
• Sick Incentive Pay Eligible
• 3 Personal days
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Management Allowance, $2,700/year    
• City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership) 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter