Benefits Analyst

Responsibilities Make a meaningful impact by helping our employees thrive through exceptional benefits administration! Performs advanced professional, technical, and analytical work across a broad range of human resources functions to administer and coordinate the City's comprehensive employee benefits and wellness programs. Responsibilities include managing medical, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, retirement and pension plans, and deferred compensation programs. Administers leave programs under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and coordinates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) interactive process, including reasonable accommodations, in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Performs a variety of professional, technical, and analytical assignments in support of assigned human resources programs and organizational objectives. Coordinates and administers the City's employee benefits and wellness programs. Serves as the primary liaison with insurance carriers, benefits and wellness vendors, and retirement system representatives to ensure accurate enrollment, coverage, and program administration. Maintains and manages a high volume of confidential records and sensitive information, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, policies, and confidentiality requirements. Prepares and communicates correspondence to employees, dependents, healthcare providers, insurance carriers, and other stakeholders regarding the City's employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, deferred compensation, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Short-Term Disability (STD), Long-Term Disability (LTD), and Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance. Administers and maintains employee leave programs, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, Paid Parental Leave, Leave Donation, the Craig Tiger Act, and Short-Term Disability, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Drafts and coordinates the communication of the City's benefits plans and services, including the City's intranet site, benefit plan booklets, benefit summaries, printed materials, and compliance requirements. Drafts, interprets, and communicates benefits-related policies and procedures. Reconciles employee benefits vendor accounts and billing statements to ensure accurate enrollment, premium payments, and financial records. Performs benefit billing, COBRA, and retiree benefits reconciliations. Administers demographic updates and retirement reporting for the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS), auditing personnel transactions for accuracy and potential service credit impacts. Reviews and audits benefit- and retirement-related actions to ensure compliance, accuracy, and adherence to applicable policies and procedures. Utilizes advanced accounting expertise to collaborate with the payroll division, ensuring accurate reporting and management of employee benefits. Assists with the administration of the annual open enrollment process by coordinating employee training and informational sessions, responding to employee inquiries, processing and submitting enrollment information to benefit vendors, and updating applicable City systems and vendor portals to ensure accurate and timely benefits administration. Initiates and conducts benefits surveys and research to obtain and effectively analyze data and information to recommend solutions to various benefits issues. Compiles, researches, and analyzes data and information to assist management with special projects. Researches and interprets state and federal rules such as ADA, ACA, COBRA, and regulations affecting benefit plans. Assists in the implementation and maintenance of HRIS and other benefit management systems for efficient communication and processing of open enrollment elections, qualifying life event changes, and maintenance of employee benefits data. Designs and maintains a variety of HRIS and benefits system reports. Assists in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of employee benefit programs and vendor services. Reviews benefit contracts and analyzes the impact of proposed plan changes and contractual provisions on City programs and processes. Monitors program effectiveness through research and data analysis, recommending improvements to benefit plans, policies, procedures, and administrative processes to enhance service delivery and ensure compliance with applicable requirements. Identifies and resolves contract issues and vendor discrepancies, assists the Benefits Manager with vendor negotiations, and participates in the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for insurance and employee benefit contracts. Acts as Secretary of the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) Local Board(s) by preparing and processing applications, facilitating board meetings, and coordinating with the Board, Attorney, City Clerk, and PSPRS. Updates Board and staff on legislative changes and assists applicants with retirement and Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) processes. Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, Public Administration, Social Sciences, or a closely related field. An equivalent combination of education and job-related experience may be considered on a year-for-year basis. Knowledge of FMLA, FLSA, ADA, EEO, COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, and applicable federal, state, and local benefit-related regulations. Generalist knowledge of employee benefits and wellness programs. Three (3) years of human resources experience, preferably in benefits administration. Public sector experience is preferred. Experience working with HRIS databases and electronic records management systems is preferred. Valid Arizona Operator’s Driver’s License. Certification in one or more of the following areas is preferred: SHRM-SCP/CP or SPHR/PHR. #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Avondale