Benefits Analyst

• Schedule: Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm
• Salary: $72,000 - $80,000 annually
• Location: 1 day in Cambridge office / 4 days remote

Summary: Assists with the administration of retirement and health and welfare employee benefit programs. Compiles, analyzes, and reports data, including employee data and plan financials for strategic benefits planning and evaluation. Provides benefit plan interpretation, guidance, and counsel to employees. Manages leaves of absence. Creates and presents information to inform and educate both management and direct care employees.

Job Duties and Responsibilities: The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the information listed below:

• - Assists in the administration of the medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance plans, as well as outsourced flexible spending account (FSA) plans and COBRA administration.
• -Ensures the efficient operation of these plans in accordance with contracts, as well as state and federal law.
• -Ensures the accurate and timely payment of monthly group insurance premiums by working with the Finance Department on reconciliation and payment.
• -Ensures the accuracy of payroll deductions for employee benefits. Reconciles deductions collected for each pay period against scheduled deductions in order to calculate amounts owed by employees. Collects amounts owed via QuickBooks and payroll.
• -Runs monthly check of part time/per diem employees’ eligibility for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Updates HRIS system as needed and communicates eligibility to employees. Assists with annual Standard Measurement Period ACA eligibility review.
• -Reviews HR Actions, ensuring that employees are assigned to correct benefits profiles. Enrolls newly eligible employees in Vinfen-paid group Life/AD&D, Short Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability insurance. Conducts ACA reviews when necessary.
• -Assists in the annual renewal process as needed. Provides support in the planning of area benefits and wellness fairs. Attends fairs as needed.
• -Provides leave of absence reporting as needed.
• - Manages annual Flexible Spending Account (FSA) discrimination testing.
• -Ensures the accuracy of the employee records data entry, storage and retrieval function, including document imaging and data stored digitally.
• -Generates ad hoc reports and statistics from the HRIS system, as needed.
• -Assists in regular auditing of HRIS data and carrier data.
• -Runs monthly check of eligible employees for the Student Loan Direct Pay Program.
• -Communicates to newly eligible employees and manages payment files to third party administrator.
• -Manages the processing of payment files to third party administrator. Updates and maintains accurate data in the texting system (Dialog Health).
• -Manages and tracks Qualified Medical Child Support Orders (QMCSO).
• -Presents benefits information at new hire orientation trainings.
• -Presents leave of absence information at manager trainings.
• -Manages a small caseload of leaves of absence.
• -With the assistance of the Benefits Coordinator and Senior Benefits and Leave Administrators, acts as a resource to plan participants in answering their benefit-related questions or resolving problems they have encountered with the plan administrators.
• -Performs other related duties, as required.

Knowledge and Skills:

• -Knowledge of HR concepts and practices covering benefits
• -Advanced Microsoft Office skills in Excel
• -Strong presentation and communication skills
• - Knowledge of state and federal benefits laws and regulations or the ability to quickly learn
• -Organizational and project management skills -
• -Excellent analytical, research, and quantitative skills
• -Ability to make sound judgements and decisions
• -Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity
• -Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues -
• -Participatory, collaborative, facilitation skills
• -Ability to balance many competing priorities

• Typical Requirements: Three to five years’ experience in benefits administration strongly preferred.
• Preferred /Required Education: Bachelor’s degree is required. In some instances, experience may be substituted for academic training.