Benefits Specialist (Analyst)

The Benefits Specialist (Analyst) is responsible for, on a monthly basis, the auditing, bill processing and reconciliation of Health, Dental, Vision, Life and Flexible Spending accounts to the MUNIS database. Additionally, the employee assists with the overall maintenance of updated Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Long Term Disability and Flexible Spending records of Subscriber and dependents in the HRIS database.  Employee is required to perform all similar or related duties.

Essential Functions:
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
  
•    Reconciles all benefits to the invoices and general ledger to ensure accuracy of bills, deduction collection and posting to general ledger timely on a monthly basis.
a.    Gather data from multiple sources in order to facilitate the reconciliation process.
b.    Ensure vendors are billing the correct plan rate.  
c.    Ensure employees are paying the correct deductions.
d.    Ensure the correct deductions and invoices are posted to the general ledger.
e.    Identify, reconcile and resolve discrepancies/conflicts.

•    Manage the Leave of Absence process to ensure benefits do not become unpaid through communications with employee and setting up payment plans.
•    Establishes documented guidelines and procedures on how to handle various benefit related scenarios, e.g., protocols on individuals going into an unpaid status, etc
•    Reconcile and pay for benefit invoices monthly.
•    Monthly billing of retirees/surviving spouses who are not receiving a pension or are balance billed.
•    Communicates benefit changes to payroll and employees by drafting letters/emails and posting changes in MUNIS system.
•    As part of the benefits team, some benefits administration is required particularly during 
open enrollment in processing employee benefit changes in MUNIS and in vendor systems as well as the monitoring to the Benefits phone line and Benefits email.
•    Assists with the preparation of mandated reports, e.g. ACA Reporting.
•    Participates in RFP processes.
•    Other duties as assigned by manager or director.

Education and Experience:
College Degree and five (5) years’ experience with account reconciliations and auditing; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill:
Knowledge: Understanding of Employee Benefits Administration. Very strong in Excel (e.g. Vlookups, pivot tables, concatenate, writing formula etc.). Excellent analytical skills.
Ability: Ability to handle problems and emergencies effectively; ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing; ability to operate a personal computer; ability to maintain confidential information; ability to maintain, manage, and organize records; ability to deal appropriately with City employees, City officials and members of the general public.
Skill: Very strong computer skills for all office software programs including word processing and in particular spread sheet applications is required. Strong interpersonal skills; excellent communication skills both oral and written. 

Work Environment:                              
The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements.  Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant.  Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to attend evening meetings or complete work assignments.

Physical and Mental Requirements: 
The physical demands described here 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 position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills 
Few physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing.  May also be some occasional lifting of objects such as office equipment and computer paper (up to 30 lbs).
Motor Skills
Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone, personal computer and/or most other office equipment including word processing, filing and sorting of papers. 
Visual Skills
Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.

Hours: Full-Time
Salary: $68,978.52 annualized benefits

City of Somerville residents are especially encouraged to apply.

The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request.

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.

Benefits Somerville Offers
4 weeks of vacation per year to start*
Health, dental, vision, life, and short/long term disability insurance
Paid time off for wellness release & cancer screening
Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
Deferred compensation
Retirement
Tuition reimbursement
MBTA pass program
FREE Bluebikes membership
Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

*For non-union classified positions.

This is not a binding contract, please reach out to benefits@somervillema.gov with any questions relating to benefits for specific union and non-union positions.

COVID-19 Vaccination Required

To better protect the health and safety of staff and the public, all City of Somerville employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of November 1, 2021. Exemptions and/or reasonable accommodations are not guaranteed and will be reviewed by the City of Somerville Human Resources Department on a case-by-case basis. Learn more at somervillema.gov/HR/COVID19.