Benefits Analyst

Benefits Analyst Salary: $70,993.00 - $110,271.00 Annually Job Type: Management Job Number: 20260908 Closing: 9/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific Location: Merced College, CA Make an impact by supporting the team that powers Merced College! We're seeking a Benefits Analyst who combines analytical expertise with empathetic, high-level customer service. In this role, you won't just manage enrollment files and compliance reporting, you'll serve as the go-to guide for our employees and retirees. From leading new-hire orientations and managing annual Open Enrollment to navigating leave policies and workers' compensation, you'll ensure our community receives the clear, dependable support they deserve. If you are an independent problem-solver who loves untangling complex benefits data and bringing genuine care to every interaction, apply today to join the Merced College community! As you consider this opportunity, know that Merced College is more than a community college - we are a catalyst for transformation, redefining higher education and setting new standards for excellence. Serving nearly 20,000 students each year, we are proud to be a leading center of learning and opportunity in California's Central Valley.Founded in 1962, Merced College blends a strong tradition of academic excellence with forward-thinking innovation to create an inclusive and engaging environment for students and employees alike. Committed to the well-being, growth, and professional success of our team, we foster collaboration and a supportive culture where every employee is empowered to make a difference. Located in the heart of California's Central Valley, the City of Merced offers a welcoming community of more than 90,000 residents, with easy access to the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Yosemite National Park.If you are passionate about innovation, equity, and student success, we invite you to join the Merced College team. Merced College Mission At Merced College, students are our focus, and we are known by their success. We transform lives through education and workforce development. Merced College Vision Enriching our community through educational experiences and support services: Degree/Certificate Programs Transfer Career Technical Education Workforce Training Lifelong Learning Basic Skills Community Engagement Merced College promotes student success through equitable access, continuous quality improvement, and institutional effectiveness, all with a focus on student achievement. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION Under minimal direction, performs professional-level administrative, technical, analytical, and customer-service duties in support of the District's employee and retiree benefits programs. Administers and coordinates health and welfare benefits, retirement-related programs, disability, leave-related benefits, workers' compensation reporting, and required benefits compliance activities. Provides information and assistance to employees, retirees, dependents, District departments, benefit carriers, third-party administrators, and other agencies regarding benefits policies, procedures, eligibility, enrollment, and related matters. Maintains accurate and confidential benefits records; prepares reports and required notices; and performs related work as assigned. Also, coordinates closely with Business Services to ensure program compliance and efficient operations. REPORTS TO Senior Director of Human Resources SALARY RANGE Management Range 18 Salary will be commensurate with education and experienceAdditional compensation for doctorate Examples of Duties REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES Administers District employee and retiree health and welfare benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and other assigned benefit programs. Administers benefit enrollments, changes, terminations, and continuation-of-coverage processes for employees, retirees, and eligible dependents in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements, Board policies, plan documents, and legal requirements. Coordinates new-employee benefits orientation and enrollment; explains benefit options, eligibility requirements, enrollment procedures, and general terms and conditions of employment-related benefits. Responds to inquiries from employees, retirees, dependents, departments, and the public regarding benefits eligibility, enrollment, qualifying life events, leave-related benefits, retirement-related information, and related procedures; provides information within the area of assignment and refers detailed coverage or claim questions to the appropriate carrier or administrator. Plans, coordinates, and administers the annual open-enrollment process; prepares employee communications, reviews enrollment materials for completeness and accuracy, coordinates with carriers and administrators, and resolves enrollment-related issues. Maintains accurate benefit enrollment, eligibility, dependent-verification, leave, and retiree records in applicable human resources and benefits systems; protects confidential information and ensures timely and accurate processing of records and transactions. Prepares and reconciles insurance eligibility reports, carrier invoices, premium statements, payroll-deduction information, and related financial records; researches and resolves discrepancies with carriers, administrators, employees, retirees, and District departments. Tracks and processes retiree medical and dental benefit payments and related records; provides retirees with timely information regarding coverage, status, required actions, and plan changes. Maintains information and communications regarding health and welfare benefits, retirement programs, plan descriptions, and related forms through the District's designated employee communication channels. Prepares, distributes, and maintains required benefits notices and communications; monitors applicable deadlines and time requirements for benefits-related entitlements and reporting. Coordinates, audits, and processes annual Affordable Care Act reporting, including IRS Form 1095-C; prepares audit reports, tracks employee work hours as required, and maintains supporting records. Compiles, reviews, and provides active-employee and retiree data for required actuarial valuation and other benefits-related reporting; prepares financial, statistical, and narrative reports, summaries, surveys, and recommendations related to benefits administration. Maintains enrollment and related records for tax-sheltered annuity programs and coordinates information with appropriate providers and District departments. Receives, reviews, and processes initial work-related injury and illness reports, including incident reports and DWC-1 forms; submits claim files to the District's workers' compensation third-party administrator or carrier within required deadlines. Serves as a primary District contact for injured employees and supervisors regarding the initial workers' compensation reporting process; coordinates with the appropriate District departments, third-party administrators, carriers, and medical providers as assigned. Assists employees with leave-related benefits documentation and processes, including FMLA/CFRA and disability-related forms; coordinates with employees, supervisors, and District departments regarding benefit continuation and required documentation during approved leaves. Conducts research, analyzes data, and prepares clear written, statistical, and oral reports and recommendations on benefits issues; assists with benefit studies, surveys, and related planning activities. Provides courteous and effective customer service in person, by telephone, and through written and electronic communication; resolves routine concerns in an efficient and timely manner and escalates complex matters as appropriate. Attends and participates in professional meetings and training; maintains current knowledge of benefits administration trends, regulations, and procedures. Performs related duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: Operations, services, and activities of employee and retiree benefits programs. Principles, practices, and procedures of benefits administration, including enrollment, eligibility, premium administration, retiree benefits, disability, leave-related benefits, and workers' compensation reporting. Health and welfare benefit plans, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and continuation-of-coverage programs. Principles and procedures related to employee benefits compliance, including Affordable Care Act reporting, COBRA, FMLA/CFRA, and OPEB actuarial reporting requirements. California public retirement frameworks and tax-sheltered annuity programs. Principles and practices of insurance eligibility reporting, premium reconciliation, benefits billing, financial record keeping, and actuarial data preparation. Basic workers' compensation reporting requirements, injury-reporting timelines, and claims-administration workflows. Methods and techniques for research and analysis of personnel, financial, and statistical data. Applicable collective bargaining agreements, Board policies, plan documents, and federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and reporting requirements related to benefits administration. Principles and practices of customer service, confidentiality, business letter writing, and report preparation. Office procedures, methods, equipment, and computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheet, database, enterprise resource planning, and human resources information systems. Ability to: Perform professional benefits administration work with minimal supervision and exercise sound independent judgment. Interpret and apply plan documents, collective bargaining agreements, Board policies, administrative procedures, and applicable laws and regulations to benefits eligibility and administration. Collect, compile, audit, reconcile, and analyze benefits, financial, and statistical information and data. Prepare complete and accurate reports, notices, correspondence, analyses, and recommendations. Coordinate multiple benefits activities, meet critical deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities. Audit complex benefit rosters; identify and resolve discrepancies with carriers, administrators, employees, retirees, and District departments. Explain complex benefit, leave-related benefit, retirement-related, and enrollment information clearly, tactfully, and empathetically to employees, retirees, dependents, supervisors, and department representatives. Communicate and interact effectively in situations requiring tact, instruction, persuasion, and counseling, including individual interviews, group discussions, and presentations. Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to sensitive inquiries from the public, District staff, carriers, and other agencies. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Exercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality in handling sensitive information, records, and reports. Operate office equipment and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, database, and human resources information systems. Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and staff. REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Education/Training/Experience Associate's degree from an accredited institution in human resources management, business administration, personnel management, or a closely related field, AND three (3) years of increasingly responsible technical or administrative experience in human resources administration activities applicable to benefits; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. License or Certificate A valid California Class "C" driver's license. Travel to locations throughout the District may be required. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS Education/Experience Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in human resources management, business administration, personnel management, or a closely related field, AND three years of increasingly responsible experience in human resources, including employee benefits administration. License or Certificate Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification preferred. PHYSICAL DEMAND AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT The conditions herein are representative of #J-18808-Ljbffr