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: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
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
Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
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 REQUIREMENTS:
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.