Benefits Analyst (Administrative Analyst/Specialist - Exempt I), Human Resources Division

Job Summary

The Benefits Analyst will require independent performance of specialized administrative and analytical duties and be responsible for processing fee waiver and summer discount applications, maintaining the minimum threshold of 95% of the health benefit status information in the ACAS database, and creating leaves of absence documentation.

The Benefits and Fee Waiver Analyst will also need to provide high level of support in evaluating and resolving complex issues related to benefits, leaves of absence and ACA.

This position requires independent performance of specialized administrative and analytical duties.

Responsibilities

Benefits

• Demonstrate thorough knowledge on benefit offerings such as medical plans, dental plans, vision plans, flexcash program, retirement savings accounts, HCRA / DCRA and voluntary plans.
• Create, modify and evaluate the department's Benefit Enrollment Worksheet, ACA Enrollment Worksheet, Open Enrollment Worksheet, and Informational Sheet for employees.
• Coordinate daily operations and provide lead work direction and training to Benefits Assistant.
• Capable of taking initiative to independently plan, organize, coordinate and perform work in various situations where numerous and diverse demands are involved.

Handle Mutiple priorities to assist employees when they call or email the benefits line and benefits email regarding their questions and concerns.

Analyze and address issues through reasoning, interpretation and application of administrative guides and policies as it relates to benefit eligibility, eligible dependents and required documents, educate employees about their own benefit coverage, explanation on similarities and differences between plans, general retirement questions, continuation of benefits, open enrollment questions, technical issues with the electronic form, etc.

• Notify and follow up on selected employees about the Dependent Eligibility Verification (DEV) audit. Collect, evaluate, store and track required documents for individuals as they submit their paperwork.
• Demonstrate ability to anticipate issues with the documents employees submit and work with employees directly to address these issues proactively.

Refer to policies and practices for guidance on acceptable documents for Cal PERS.

• Serve as the program administrator for key events such as the President's Retirement Luncheon. Work and coordinate with individuals at all levels within the organization at various departments and other entities such as SMSU and ASI.
• Ability to effectively interpret, organize, present information and ideas and recommendations related to the events' theme, decorations and food options.

Create itemized list of decorations cost, food cost, awards, etc. Submit vendor quotes and promo justification to request requisition with Purchasing.

Send out campus wide notifications regarding the event, and communicate with retirees who are being honored at the event.

Compile data on those being honored and provide it to the President's office for review. Develop and alter the PowerPoint, program for the event, invitations, etc.

Decorate, coordinate and supervise all components on the day of the event.

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Program

• Demonstrate expertise in investigating and analyzing the employee's Job Data, Employee Summary and CSU Benefit Summary to audit information on the Health Benefits Plan Enrollment (HBD-12 forms and identify any discrepancies.
• Ability to effectively and independently interpret, research and examine the ACA Safe Harbor Reports to assign appropriate status codes to each health benefit status change.

Each status code is tied to an effective date and assigned a description to clarify when each code would be assigned to an employee.

• Perform accurate data entry for ACA status codes, including but not limited to, recording dates for new hire and waiting period, coverage offer and election, ineligibility, post-90-day HIPAA election, coverage decline, administrative decline, loss of coverage, voluntary and permanent separation cancellations, and temporary suspension due to unpaid status.
• Update and maintain the minimum threshold of 95% of the health benefit status information in the ACAS database for CSUSB employees.

The ACAS database serves as the official tracking and reporting system of ACA required information for the CSU to report to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Refer to policies and user guides to independently review best practices for the goals and soundness in the judgement of appropriate status codes for each health benefit status change.

Contact the State Controller's Office for guidance on specific scenarios that require more research to determine ACA status codes.

Fee Waiver Summer Discount Programs

• Contribute to the production, testing, development, implementation and continuous alteration of the On Base Fee Waiver System.
• Examine and evaluate each fee waiver application to determine employee's eligibility, dependents' eligibility (if applicable), and determine if normal academic standards are met to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and requirements governing the Fee Waiver and Reduction Program.
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of the Fee Waiver and Summer Discount Programs and addresses concerns via email correspondence, phone call conversations, one on one meetings and workshop facilitation.
• Notifies employees regarding any discrepancies with their applications, instructs them on receiving the application fee reimbursements, and informs them of specific taxation deductions they will see on their pay warrants.
• Serves as a liaison to the other 22 CSU campuses when questions or concerns arise regarding the program, the status of the applications of their employees, and our internal process at CSUSB.
• Analyze and address issues using reasoning, interpretation and application of our policies and administrative guides to develop and recommend alternative and future course of action for struggling students.
• Work requires coordination with individuals at all levels within the university and various departments to gather data every term and organize the protocol for the President's Summer Discount Program every year.
• Independently research and analyze the Fee Waiver and Reduction Program, compile data after census date every term, present reports with reliable calculations for reporting taxation to the State Controller's Office.

Leaves of Absence

• Collect, evaluate and interpret data on the Request Forms and Certification of Health Care Provider for pregnancy disability, parental leave, and family medical leave to generate the Notice of Eligibility, Rights and Responsibilities and / or Designation Notice.
• Follow up with employees regarding required documentation for the leaves of absence such as request forms, work status reports, certifications, etc.
• Formulate sound conclusions and provide appropriate recommendations to manager regarding any signs of tampering with documents submitted by employees.
• Independently performs research, compiles data from external medical offices and presents information to manager regarding the legitimacy of the documents and specific leave scenarios.
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), California Family Rights Act (CFRA), CSU Family Medical Leave (CSU FML) Policy, Pregnancy Disability Leave Guidelines as well as the Leaves of Absence with Pay Articles on the various Collective Bargaining.

Other

• Assist with special projects as needed.
• Other classification-related duties as assigned in support of the goals and mission of the department.

Minimum Qualifications : Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree and / or the equivalent training and administrative work experience involving study, analysis, and / or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of administrative policies, procedures, practices, or programs, plus two years of related experience.

Required K nowledge, skills, and Abilities

In addition to Position Skill Level - Non-Exempt knowledge and skill requirements, work assignments typically require :

• Working knowledge of and ability to apply standard theories, principles, practices, and techniques applicable to the program and / or administrative specialty to develop conclusions and make recommendations.
• Thorough knowledge of policies, procedures, and outside regulations pertaining to the applicable program and / or administrative specialty.
• Working knowledge of operational and fiscal analysis and techniques.
• Ability to take initiative and independently plan, organize, coordinate, and perform work in various situations where numerous and diverse demands are involved.
• Skill in the research, development and evaluation of policies and programs, including skill in the collection, evaluation, and interpretation of data to develop sound conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Expertise in investigating and analyzing problems with a broad administrative impact and implications. Ability to anticipate problems and address them proactively.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interpret, organize, and present information and ideas in written or presentation form.
• Ability to train others on new skills and procedures and provide lead work direction.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) years of work experience providing progressively responsible administrative, technical and analytical support in an environment of similar complexity.
• Experience in higher education.
• Ability to be self-motivated; possess excellent analytical, interpersonal and communication skills; and be able to effectively coordinate and confer with groups and individuals at various levels.
• Knowledge of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), California Family Rights Act (CFRA), and Pregnancy Disability Leave Guidelines.
• Knowledgeable and familiar with CSU benefit programs and Cal PERS.
• Expertise in using office software, technology and systems including but not limited to Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PeopleSoft, PIMS, OnBase and other standardized office equipment is required.
• Ability to investigate and analyze issues to provide an interactive perspective and discern applicable underlying principles to conceive and develop strategic solutions.
• Ability to work with individuals at all levels within the organization and handle potentially sensitive situations.
• Ability to work with a diverse population under pressure, frequent interruptions, shifting priorities and time constraints.
• Ability to effectively present ideas and concepts in written or verbal format.
• Ability to demonstrate good judgment and integrity while maintaining the highest level of confidentiality.

Compensation and Benefits :

Anticipated Hiring Range : minimum $4,379 - maximum $5,000 monthly.

Classification Salary Range : minimum $4,379 - maximum $7,922 monthly.

The salary offered will take into account internal equity and experience among other factors.

The CSU system provides a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), sick and vacation time, and 15 paid holidays a year.

Eligible employees are also able to participate in the fee waiver education program. A summary of benefit information can be found .

Position Information :

Work status : Full-time / Exempt / Probationary

Academic year schedule : Monday through Friday (8 : 00 am 5 : 00 pm), some evenings / weekends.

Summer schedule : Monday through Thursday (7 : 00 am - 5 : 30 pm), some evenings / weekends.

The application deadline is : Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

California State University, San Bernardino is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (i.e. H1-B Visas).