County of Alameda

Under the general direction of the Human Resource Division Manager, Benefits, assists in the planning, organizing and coordination of the County's Employee Group Benefit Programs, and does related duties as required.    

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES  

The Benefits Analyst is a single position classification in the Employee Benefits Center of the Department of Human Resource Services.  The incumbent performs analytical work on Employee Group Benefit programs, provides recommendations on existing and proposed employee Group benefit Programs, and is the County’s liaison to the Retirement Association.  This class differs from the comparable classes of Administrative Analyst, Labor Relations Analyst II and Personnel Services Manager by being assigned activities which are Benefit Program specific.

NOTE:    The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.  

1.  Assists with planning, organizing, and coordinating the County's Employee Group Benefit Programs; coordinates benefit implementation with other County Agency/Departments as needed.

2.  Negotiates with Health and Welfare and Voluntary plan providers for annual rate as well as benefit changes.

3.  Assists with design, revisions and updating of an ongoing employee benefits strategy/plan for the County.

4.  Provides benefit program counseling services to personnel officers or other administrators who are responsible for providing direct benefit program counseling services to new and existing employees as an ongoing service; and responds to and advocates for employees in resolving benefit-related problems.

5.  Works with consultants employed for group services related to new and existing programs, program costs, financial reports, and accounts; meets and works with consultants to develop and implement new benefit programs as needed.

6.  Writes and prepares the employee benefit handbook, newsletters, announcements and descriptive literature to County staff and employees.

7.  Writes and prepares benefit website updates and revisions.

8.  Keeps current with and interprets various group insurance plans, laws, rules, and regulations.

9.  Analyzes proposed legislation for possible impact on County benefit programs, and assists in developing recommendations.

10. Assists in the auditing of claims payments, practices, and procedures.  Works with insurance brokers, actuaries, attorneys, consultants, and vendors on matters related to employee benefits.

11. Participates in Labor Management Committee reviews of benefits program.

12. Analyzes bills before the Federal and State Legislature for effect on operations and costs to County and recommends County position on passage, if applicable.

13. May chair or participate in work groups on benefits issues.

14. Manages projects and timelines.

15. Works with Medical plan providers on Wellness initiatives and programs.

Experience:  

The equivalent of five years of full-time experience administering, analyzing or managing employee benefit programs for a public agency or private business.  

AND  

Education:    

A college degree from and accredited college or university in Business, Human Resources Administration or Management is desirable.  

NOTE:  The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE:  The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.  

Knowledge of:  

• Practices of large public agency or private business employee group benefit programs.
• Federal and State laws and regulations governing employee benefits.
• Statistical and analytic techniques and processes.
• Fiscal and budgetary practices.
• Computer skills such as Microsoft Windows, Word Excel and Outlook.    

Ability to:  

• Coordinate and manage employee benefit programs.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with employees, department personnel and customers.
• Communicate with diverse groups of people by demonstrating effective interpersonal skill and sensitivity.  
• Make decisions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Analyze and problem solve.
• Plan and organize.
• Work effectively with others.
• Cost benefit proposals.
• Represent County benefit programs to County management and labor organizations.
• Work with benefit providers, consultants and actuaries.
• Write requests for proposals and various benefit communications.

RSS:pb  4/14/92

JGS:dhb 2/98

1183h

co:updated 5/26/00

Old doc#: 1183h.wpf

New doc#: 0282.doc

Csc date: 4/22/92

RSS:pb   Revised 10/29/03

Csc Date:  11/12/03

SG:cs  Revised 2/11/15

CSC Date:  3/4/15

MH:jf Revision 4/25/18

CSC Date:06/20/2018

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.