Benefits Administrator

THIS POSITION IS DESIGNATED AS NON-BARGAINING UNIT AND THE INCUMBENT SHALL SERVE IN AN "AT-WILL" CAPACITY.

Responsible for the overall employee benefits administration, including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision plans, life and long-term disability insurance, CalPERS, deferred compensation plans, COBRA, wellness programs, and other supplemental benefit programs. This position requires a high level of independent judgment, policy-level decision making, and a compassionate, service oriented approach to supporting employees and retirees.

Applications will be reviewed in the order received and the posting may close at any time.

The following duties are standard for this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.

Obtains and analyzes information on current benefit practices and new developments in benefit programs. Recommends new policies and plans. Oversees medical contract renewals by working closely with Agency broker. Conducts feasibility studies regarding the addition of benefits and/or vendors.

Evaluates health and welfare benefit options (i.e. medical, dental, vision and life insurance plans) to determine compliance with current policies, to include those outlined under the Agencys Memorandum of Understanding. Identifies opportunities and provides recommendations for cost savings and plan improvements/enhancements.

Processes life and supplemental life insurance claims by working with the insurance company and employee to submit appropriate documentation.

Reviews and reconciles monthly health benefit billing for each benefit plan. Makes necessary adjustments by updating appropriate carrier and payroll system. Routes monthly benefit bills for payment.

Evaluates and monitors Section 125 program to ensure compliance. Updates program document as needed.

Processes all annual reporting requirements including but not limited to ACA 1094-C and 1095-C submissions, CMS disclosure requirements. Audits and prepares all 5500 report data for preparation of staff report to the Agency Board.

Evaluates and monitors deferred compensation plan(s). Processes employee enrollments, loan requests, changes and terminations. Maintains and updates plan documents as needed.

Responds to benefit related inquiries from employees.

Coordinates and administers all aspects of annual open enrollment. Reviews and processes employee enrollment requests and ensures accurate updates within carrier and payroll systems, particularly ADP. Establishes and resolves issues with carrier file-feed integrations. Provides oversight of employee self-service systems and workflows.Coordinates agency wellness programs to include developing incentives to motivate employees to better health. Organizes health fair.

Oversees COBRA third party administration.

May provide leave of absence oversight.

Works with HR staff to coordinate benefit coverage/deductions while on leaves of absence and upon return to work. This includes communicating timely with employees of monies owed and processing recoveries through payroll system.

Ensures strict compliance with all Federal and State requirements, to include Public Employees Retirement Law (PERL) and Public Employees Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) (Title 2, Division 5, Part 3).

Conducts new employee onboarding of health and welfare benefits.

Main point of contact for all Agency retirees. Handles all benefit related processes for retirees including initial retirement enrollment and open enrollment.

Updates and maintains electronic and hard copy employee benefit files. Oversees accuracy and maintenance of electronic storage systems and databases related to same. Audits these systems.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS This position requires a high level of independent judgment, policy-level decision making, and technical proficiency in health benefits administration. The Benefits Administrator must maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive employee and retiree information and consistently demonstrate a strong customer service orientation through a warm, approachable, and compassionate service style. Success in this role requires well-developed analytical abilities to interpret complex regulations, evaluate benefit options, and ensure accuracy in reporting and compliance activities. Emotional intelligence is essential for supporting employees during sensitive life events, navigating difficult conversations, and fostering trust across the organization. The role also demands exceptional attention to detail, particularly when reconciling benefit data, processing enrollments, and preparing documentation. Effective verbal and written communication skills are critical for explaining benefit programs, preparing reports, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelors degree (B.A./B.S.) from a four-year college or university; and three to five years of employee benefit administration experience or similar experience in a dedicated Human Resources department; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental state and federal legislation. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, employees, retirees and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Must be familiar with current business operating systems, software, and programs (i.e. Microsoft Office, to include Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, etc.) Requires at a minimum intermediate skill in Excel to create pivot tables, manipulate data and formulate scenarios. Requires experience working with payroll systems such as ADP to process health benefit and deferred compensation changes, and experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) software programs (i.e. Oracle E-Business Suite highly desirable).

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of CalPERS and Internal Revenue Service codes and legal guidelines pertaining to benefit programs applicable to current employees, and pre and post 65 retirees; knowledge of benefit plans, insurance carriers, and other aspects of health and welfare coverage; knowledge of life and supplemental life insurance policies and their administration; ability to interpret policies and plan documents; skill in oral communication to effectively work with employees, brokers, insurance representatives, physicians, government personnel, and other external agents; skill in reading technical information, such as government regulations and policies in order to remain current on benefits and retirement laws, regulations, and requirements; skill in verifying the accuracy of completed forms through comparison with source documents and resolving any discrepancies; skill in preparing written documents, such as monthly reports, memorandums, policies, procedures, and other documents; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; ability to perform arithmetic and statistical operations to calculate ratios, fractions, percentages, and averages; ability to establish and maintain priorities and carry out assignments with minimal supervision; ability to complete work despite constant interruptions in work flow and changing priorities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Note to Internal Candidates:

The following areas will be reviewed as part of the selection process:

• May be required to pass job related skills test(s).Testing may include, but is not limited to:
  • Written test(s)
  • Oral test(s)
  • Practical test(s)
• Past year performance record will be reviewed:
  • Discipline other than attendance & accidents - only 1 written warning in last year. Excludes accidents and attendance, which are described below.
  • Must have zero additional disciplinary actions, i.e. no:
    • Further Written Warnings
    • Final Warnings
    • Suspension
  • Must have no more than 1 Late Arrival within the last 12 months.
  • Must have no more than 1 Attendance Point in the last year.
  • Performance Appraisal ratings must be at or above "Meets Standards.

Applications will be evaluated and only qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process which may include: a written and/or software exam (pass/fail), a performance exam (pass/fail), and an oral interview (100% weight). The examinations will be used to assess the applicant's knowledge, skills and abilities as they relate to the position. The selection procedures may change depending on the needs of the Agency; if such changes apply, qualified applicants will be notified prior to the administration of examinations. The Riverside Transit Agency complies with State and Federal obligations to make reasonable accommodation for applicants and employees with disabilities. The Human Resources Department asks that it be advised of accommodation requests prior to the first test part. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the Riverside Transit Agency requires that all new employees provide documentation to establish both work authorization and identity.

Department: Human Resources

Reports To: Human Resources Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

***RTA IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER***