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Employee Benefits Analyst II (Sonoma County)

Employee Benefits Analysts analyze and manage programs related to health and welfare benefit programs provided to County of Sonoma employees, retirees, and their dependents – a customer base of over 10,000 individuals. Benefit programs include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), IRC Section 125 flexible spending programs, and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA).

In addition, the Employee Benefits Analyst II collaborates with the Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) team, Payroll staff, and Information Systems Department to ensure the accuracy and integrity of all HRIS benefits-related data. As part of these efforts, the Analyst works on projects related to transmitting data to vendors, developing system requirements and strategies for our HRIS system, and identifying and implementing system improvements with vendors to streamline and improve efficiency of Benefits activities.

The Employee Benefits Analyst role requires considerable knowledge of complex and changing laws and administrative regulations affecting health and wellness programs. Incumbents are expected to exercise significant discretion and independent judgment while performing their duties pursuant to laws, regulations, policies, administrative rules, and procedures. Ideal candidates will possess:

• Considerable experience with benefits plan administration

• Three-plus years' of experience working with HRIS systems

• Proven analytical and critical thinking skills, and a keen attention to detail

• A passion for process improvement and recommending creative solutions

• Excellent planning and organizing skills

• The ability to communicate technical information in a clear and concise manner, both verbally and in writing

• A customer-focused mindset and the ability to partner with a diverse client base

• Superb computer skills, including extensive experience working with Excel

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of course work, training, and/or work experience which clearly demonstrates possession of the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, this would include the following:

Education: Academic course work in public administration, business administration, accounting, law, economics, safety, industrial engineering, risk management, and/or other related courses. A bachelor's degree related to one of these fields is highly desirable.

Experience: Two years of professional level experience working with occupational safety and health programs, workers' compensation, disability management, employee benefit and insurance, liability, casualty insurance, or loss control programs, preferably with a public agency and/or in a risk management program. This should include substantial experience directly related to area of assignment.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Considerable knowledge of: principles and practices, legal statutes, civil procedures, and administrative regulations relating to occupational health and safety, workers' compensation, disability management, liability, employee benefits and insurance, or other related programs, and related non-monetary compensation; claims adjusting, investigation, and administrative techniques necessary to carry management of claims from initial report to settlement or closure;

Working knowledge of: medical and technical terminology used in individual injury cases; operations and functions of County government including budget methods, program analysis, employee relations, and group dynamics; written and oral communications including language mechanics, syntax and English composition; research methodology, report writing, basic statistics, and actuarial principles and appropriate applications; modern office methods and procedures; computer applications related to work, including methods of graphical presentation; management of electronic database systems; and principles and methods of supervision and training.

Ability to: use judgment and discretion to integrate technical knowledge with interpersonal and communication skills dealing with the public, County management personnel, employees, attorneys, medical providers, and others in a manner consistent with the policies, practices, and procedures of the organization; research, understand, interpret, and apply specific rules, laws, ordinances, and policies to applicable risk management areas such as disability, safety, liability, and benefits; plan and organize research and statistical reports relating to various aspects of risk management, budget, general management matters, accident causation, safety conditions or benefits; evaluate results and recommend corrective measures using principles of inductive and deductive reasoning; and where applicable, effectively present conclusions before advisory and policy bodies; organize, develop, and prepare claims for assignment to counsel, trial and pretrial conferences; prepare informational materials, brochures, and newsletters to relate complex regulations and data to employees and officials; organize and develop effective programs for the reduction of occupational hazards and accident prevention; facilitate consensus and negotiate resolution of complex problems involving a variety of claimants, individuals, employee groups, consultants, carriers and service providers; analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action working independently and with either oral or written direction.

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