Employee Benefits Analyst

Salary : $42,993.60 Annually
Location : PA 16823, PA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202400006
Department: HUMAN RESOURCES
Opening Date: 01/11/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: N/A
Join our team! "We are bound together by a philosophy of a strong work ethic, honesty, compassion, diversity, and teamwork iin a supportive, progressive work culture."
Description
To administer the County insurance program, and ancillary benefit programs, for employees, COBRA participants and retirees; administer Family Medical Leave Act and medical leaves for County employees; and assist in the payroll preparation as needed.
Example of Duties
Essential Job Functions:

1. Assists all employees with questions regarding Employee Benefits.
2. Handles "behind the scenes" implementation of open enrollment. Collects and sends all employees changes/updates to various insurance carriers electronically. Identifies and corrects employee errors made on the EAC. Makes manual updates in Pentamation after data transfer from EAC to Pentamation. Communicates with carriers regarding changes/updates after open enrollment closing.
3. Calculates, processes and prepares monthly insurance premiums on retiree health insurance, voluntary benefits, and life insurance programs.
4. Interacts with all insurance companies regarding the administration of benefits.
5. Meets with employees regarding FMLA process and paperwork. Processes, maintains and tracks all requests for leave of absence. Maintains leaves in FMLA Manager. Disseminates approved leave of absence applications to employee/department head including approval amounts/durations of leave.
6. Maintains accurate records on all medical claims and other benefit record information.
7. Types, files, and copies letters, forms, documents as required for the administration of benefits.
8. Participates in all Employee Benefits Trust meetings.
9. Monitors age factor regarding life insurance benefits.
10. Processes all COBRA requests for employees separating from the County. Process all COBRA payments received.
11. Monitors to ensure the County is compliant with all FMLA and COBRA regulations.
12. Processes short-term disability claims with multiple carriers, files claim reports, faxes updated information on employees, and answers STD related questions.

Other Duties:

1. Serves as a backup for the Human Resources Analyst as necessary.
2. Takes photo ID's and processes identification cards for all County employees and contracted service providers as necessary.
3. Acts as back up for phones and walk-ins, answer basic human resources related questions.
4. Assists with the preparation of year-end information for new payroll year.
5. Processes purchase orders and check requests as needed.
6. Performs other job-related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications
Education/Training Qualifications: Associates or bachelor's degree in human resources or benefit administration. Additional business, clerical, and computer training preferred.
Work Experience: One to two (1-2) years working experience in the field of human resources, preferably with benefits and/or County government background.
Centre County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, gender, soical orientation, marital status, age, medical condition, mental or physical disability.

1. Pay Periods: County employees are paid bi-weekly. Direct deposit is available for your convenience.
2. Holiday Schedule: 13 paid holidays
3. Paid Vacation Time: Full-time employees earn from 10 to 24 days annually based on years of service. Employees are eligible to use this time after their six (6) months probationary period.
4. Paid Sick Time: Full-time employees earn one day (7.5-8.0 hours) of sick leave per month, with the unused accumulation applying towards their extended sick bank.
5. Paid Personal Time: Full-time employees start accruing personal time immediately. Full-time employees shall have no more than two (2) personal days in a rolling twelve (12) month period.
6. Bereavement: Full-time employees may receive up to four (4) consecutive days off for the death of an immediate family member
7. Jury Duty: Employees with time off from work due to jury duty shall be with pay for the number of hours off work. Employee is required to remit any payment received for services rendered as a jurist for Centre County.
8. Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Available to all employees and their immediate family members through Mazzitti & Sullivan EAP Services. Provides employees, or family members, a counselor at no charge for up to four (4) sessions. It's totally confidential as required by both state and federal laws.
9. Tuition Reimbursement: If approved, the County will pay 50% of the cost of registration and tuition. Reimbursement is made for program costs which are not paid through other sources (i.e. veteran's benefits, subsidy, grants, etc.). Please see the Education Expense Policy for more details. *Employees must satisfactory complete the program with a "C" average (undergraduate course) or "B" average (graduate source). Certificates or licenses are reimbursed at 50% total costs upon successful completion
10. Voluntary Benefits: Several voluntary benefits are available; employees must elect and pay the full cost. Coverage is effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment. Voluntary benefits available: short and long term disability, accident insurance, life insurance, and critical illness insurance.
11. Retirement: For employees assigned to work 20 hours per week or more, participation in the PA Local Government Employee's Retirement System is required. Employee's contribution is 5% of salary, which is tax deferred. After five (5) years of creditable service, you become fully vested in the retirement system. Any additional taxed contribution up to 10% is optional. Upon retirement the County contributes an actuarially determined amount.
12. Tax Deferred Programs: Tax-sheltering programs are offered through 457B (Deferred Compensation) plans.
13. Health Care: Major medical benefits are provided, at a competitive cost to employees, for full-time employees and their eligible dependents. Effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment. Following are a few brief highlights:
    1. Medical: PPO $250/$1500 deductible: In-network, $30 co-pay for family practitioners and $40 co-pay for specialist office visits. HDHP $1500/$3000: Full cost of visits until deductible has been met with the exception of Preventative Services.
    2. Prescription Plan: A four tier plan with co-pays for prescriptions ($4 generic preferred, $15 generic non-preferred, $45 brand preferred, $70 brand non-preferred). 20 % coinsurance for specialty pharmacy.
    3. Vision Plan: In-network annual eye exam provided at no cost.
    4. Dental Care: Delta Dental - Option 1: $2,000 coverage and Option 2: $1,000 coverage with an additional $1,000 orthodontia benefit.

Flex Spending Accounts: Employee may elect payroll deducted flex spending account funds varying from $250 to $2,000. A maximum of $610 can be rolled over to the next year. Employee does not need to be enrolled in health coverage to elect this benefit. Effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment.

Health Savings Accounts: (used with HDHP plan) Contributions can be made by the eligible employee, the employers or any other individual. Used for co-pays, prescriptions, deductibles, co-insurance, vision, dental care, and certain medical supplies are covered.

Short Term Disability: Short-term benefits are available after a designated waiting period at no cost to the employee. 70% of the weekly salary is paid up to 26 weeks not to exceed $250 per week. Each claim must be approved by our STD insurance carrier. Effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment.

Life Insurance: Full-time employees receive $20,000 life insurance at no cost. Effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment. *Reduces to $10,000 if employed at age 70. County will provide $10,000 coverage until age 65 for 20 year + retirees.