Position: Benefits Analyst II

Position Summary:

The Benefits Analyst II performs highly responsible duties in the reviewing and analyzing of existing benefits systems, procedures and financial reports to ensure effective, efficient, and accountable internal controls and operations. The incumbent designs changes considered necessary, prepares procedural manuals and reports of financial and benefits transactions, analyzes account records, implements approved changes, and performs responsibilities required by federal and state agencies.

This position takes the lead role in interaction and coordination with internal and external stakeholders, including, but not limited to the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System; third party benefits providers of medical, dental, prescription drug, and life insurance plans; as well as the school district's Division of Information Technology.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Providing highly complex administrative support in the areas of  benefit deductions calculations and compilation, accounting, and record keeping systems;

Providing information to employees, supervisors, outside agencies or other personnel;

Performing mathematical computations, computing costs, and adjusting, balancing, and reconciling information to ensure accuracy of data;

Performing troubleshooting in collaboration and cooperation with financial reporting, accounting and technology staff to resolve system problems related to benefits calculations, deductions, and vendor payments;

Analyzing and coordinating changes to the system to comply with laws, as well as internal and external reporting requirements;

Analyzing and compiling information and preparing benefits related surveys, studies, projects and investigations;

Reconciling benefits  liability accounts to ensure accuracy of reporting and distribution of pay;

Performing analyses, preparing schedules, and notes for benefits related liabilities for year-end financial reporting;

Preparing biweekly, monthly, quarterly and annual retirement, pension, 403b & 457 reports and submitting the associated remittance;

Performing analyses of costing for benefit transactions and ensuring proper posting to general ledger;

Maintaining assigned Key Performance Indicators for benefits accountability;

Leading and performing benefits processes as directed;

Supporting Benefits Services staff and supervisors; and

Qualifications:

Thorough knowledge of generally accepted benefits, payroll, and accounting principles, practices, and procedures applicable to governmental entities;

Thorough knowledge or familiarity with federal and state health care reform laws and regulations, including the Affordable Care Act;

Demonstrated understanding of specific legal provisions and generally accepted benefit principles applicable to the school system;

Ability to analyze numbers and budgets, using forecasting tools, and understand complex data;

Knowledge of information management systems and their application to benefits/payroll operations;

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.) and use of the internet for work-related research;

Proficiency in Oracle Human Resource Management System (HRMS) / Oracle Advanced Benefits (OAB) or similar Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system;

Ability to review, examine, analyze, and interpret payroll and benefits documents and records;

Ability to recognize, initiate, and implement system changes;

Must have ability to analyze issues, shift priorities, and cope with ambiguity in a fast-paced environment;

Strong leadership and technical skills;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school system officials and employees; and

Strong and effective oral and written communications skills.

Education and/or Experience Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in Business, Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; increasingly responsible experience in financial management and administration preferred; minimum of three (3) years’ experience operating a large, computerized payroll and benefits system in the government or the private sector (experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, preferably Oracle Human Resource Management System (HRMS)/ Oracle Advanced Benetits (OAB), is a plus); or any equivalent experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. 

Certification:

Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

No direct supervisory responsibilities.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.

Working Environment:

The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.

Additional Information:

None.