Benefits Administrator

Position Overview This position is designated as a non-bargaining unit and the incumbent shall serve in an "at-will" capacity. The following duties are standard for this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Responsibilities Obtain and analyze information on current benefit practices and new developments in benefit programs. Recommend new policies and plans. Oversee medical contract renewals by working closely with the agency broker. Conduct feasibility studies regarding the addition of benefits and/or vendors. Evaluate health and welfare benefit options (i.e., medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans) to determine compliance with current policies. Identify opportunities and provide recommendations for cost savings and plan improvements/enhancements. Process life and supplemental life insurance claims by working with the insurance company and employee to submit appropriate documentation. Review and reconcile monthly health benefit billing for each benefit plan, make necessary adjustments, and route monthly benefit bills for payment. Evaluate and monitor Section 125 program to ensure compliance and update program documents as needed. Process all annual reporting requirements including ACA 1094-C and 1095-C submissions, CMS disclosure requirements, and audits for 5500 report data for staff report to the Agency Board. Evaluate and monitor deferred compensation plan(s); process employee enrollments, loan requests, changes, and terminations; maintain and update plan documents. Respond to benefit‑related inquiries from employees. Coordinate and administer all aspects of annual open enrollment; review and process employee enrollment requests and ensure accurate updates within carrier and payroll systems (particularly ADP); establish and resolve issues with carrier file‑feed integrations; provide oversight of employee self‑service systems and workflows. Coordinate agency wellness programs, including developing incentives to motivate employees to better health and organizing health fairs. Oversee COBRA third‑party administration. May provide leave of absence oversight. Work with HR staff to coordinate benefit coverage/deductions while on leaves of absence and upon return to work; communicate timely with employees of monies owed and process recoveries through payroll system. Ensure strict compliance with all federal and state requirements, including Public Employees’ Retirement Law (PERL) and Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) (Title 2, Division 5, Part 3). Conduct new employee onboarding of health and welfare benefits. Main point of contact for all agency retirees; handle all benefit‑related processes for retirees including initial retirement enrollment and open enrollment. Update and maintain electronic and hard copy employee benefit files; oversee accuracy and maintenance of electronic storage systems and databases; audit these systems. Supervisory Responsibilities None. Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) from a four‑year college or university. Three to five years of employee benefit administration experience or similar experience in a dedicated Human Resources department; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Core Competencies and Behavioral Expectations High level of independent judgment, policy‑level decision making, and technical proficiency in health benefits administration. Maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive employee and retiree information. Strong customer service orientation with a warm, approachable, and compassionate service style. Well‑developed analytical abilities to interpret complex regulations, evaluate benefit options, and ensure accuracy in reporting and compliance activities. Emotional intelligence to support employees during sensitive life events, navigate difficult conversations, and foster trust across the organization. Exceptional attention to detail, particularly when reconciling benefit data, processing enrollments, and preparing documentation. Effective verbal and written communication skills for explaining benefit programs, preparing reports, and collaborating with stakeholders. Language Skills Read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental state and federal legislation. Write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, customers, employees, retirees, and the general public. Mathematical Skills Add, subtract, multiply, and divide with whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Compute rates, ratios, and percentages; draw and interpret bar graphs. Computer Skills Familiar with current business operating systems, software, and programs (e.g., Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint). Intermediate skill in Excel to create pivot tables, manipulate data, and formulate scenarios. Experience working with payroll systems such as ADP to process health benefit and deferred compensation changes. Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) software programs (e.g., Oracle E-Business Suite highly desirable). Reasoning Ability Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Other Skills and Abilities Knowledge of CalPERS and IRS codes and legal guidelines pertaining to benefit programs applicable to current employees and pre‑ and post‑65 retirees. Knowledge of benefit plans, insurance carriers, and other aspects of health and welfare coverage; knowledge of life and supplemental life insurance policies and their administration. Skill in interpreting policies and plan documents; skill in oral communication with employees, brokers, insurance representatives, physicians, government personnel, and other external agents. Skill in reading technical information such as government regulations and policies to remain current on benefits and retirement laws, regulations, and requirements. Skill in verifying accuracy of completed forms through comparison with source documents and resolving discrepancies. Skill in preparing written documents such as monthly reports, memorandums, policies, procedures, and other documents. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; ability to perform arithmetic and statistical operations to calculate ratios, fractions, percentages, and averages. Ability to establish and maintain priorities and carry out assignments with minimal supervision; ability to complete work despite interruptions and changing priorities. Physical Demands The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Occasional standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; occasional lifting and/or moving up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Department and Reporting Department: Human Resources Reports To: Human Resources Manager FLSA Status: Exempt Equal Employment Opportunity Statement RTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr