Associate, Benefits - Talent (2024-25) Job Listing at Oakland Unified School District in Oakland, CA (Job ID 19394)

Description

BASIC FUNCTION:  The Benefits Associate is responsible for overseeing the administration of District-sponsored benefit plans for all District employees. Under the supervision of the Manager of Systems and Processes, the Benefits Associate leads employee enrollment processes and serves as point-of-contact for employees requiring assistance resolving complex benefits-related issues. 

The Benefits Associate must maintain confidentiality of all personnel matters; some duties will involve access to confidential information concerning employer-employee relations. 

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: (Incumbents may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, but is intended to reflect the principal job elements accurately.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Implement and maintain procedures relating to the District-sponsored health, life, accidental death and dismemberment, dental, long-term disability, retirement and other benefit plans (e.g. COBRA).
• Determine District supplemental annuity plan eligibility for benefits for new hires, rehires and active employees; analyze employee data systems to determine approach effective date and/or benefit contribution amounts. 
• Manage the open enrollment process and any additional enrollment processes that may be needed. 
• Collaborate with Staffing Analysts and Staffing Support Assistants to complete standard and complex benefits-related processes for new and current employees, including:
• Enroll, terminate, and determine employee eligibility for all benefit programs in accordance with union contracts and District policies and practices. 
• Coordinate training of District office and school-based personnel regarding employee benefits.
• Coordinate benefit renewal process for current employees.
• Oversee the maintenance of employee benefits records.

• Research, analyze, and reconcile monthly audit report received from healthcare vendors.

• Collaborate with healthcare vendors to develop and implement benefits programs including data gathering, proposal coordination, and process analysis.
• Coordinate health benefits fair for current employees.
• Prepare and develop communication and educational materials regarding benefits for all insured employees, and for Union partners.
• Collaborate with Risk Management department to ensure District resources for benefits are spent strategically.

• Attend the Health Benefit Improvement Committee, as needed.
• Review and assure compliance with local, state and federal statutes as it affects employee benefits.

Perform other related duties as assigned. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

TRAINING, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:  

• Bachelor's Degree preferred. Associate's Degree or its equivalency required (2 years of similar and relevant work level experience = 1 year of college) in Human Resources, Business Administration or Public Administration.  A combination of experience and education may be used to meet the Associate Degree requirement; however, the work experience years used to qualify for the Associate's Degree requirement cannot be used to meet the work requirement.  
• Four (4) years experience in employee benefits administration 

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid California Driver's License
• Employment eligibility will include fingerprints, tuberculosis and/or other employment clearance

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• The principles, methods, strategies and techniques of human resource administration related to the area of employee benefits
• Current applicable federal, state, school district laws, codes and regulations related to benefits programs
• Current district benefits programs and procedures
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary and punctuation
• Strategies and techniques for customer service
• Computer software, hardware, and related technology

ABILITY TO:

• Maintain department customer service performance standards, including tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures related to District-sponsored benefits, and ensure compliance
• Build trusted partnerships with vendors to facilitate timely completion of projects
• Respond quickly to routine or ad hoc requests for information
• Analyze benefits procedures and problems, develop and implement improvements and solutions
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
• Work independently with little direction

• Operate personal computer, related software, and other office equipment

WORKING CONDITIONS

ENVIRONMENT:

Office environment; driving a vehicle to conduct work; fast-paced work; constant interruptions

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Consistent mental alertness; sitting or standing for extended periods of time; lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling objects up to 30 pounds, occasionally 30+ pounds; bending and twisting at the waist, reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally; dexterity of both hands and fingers while performing duties; seeing to read, write and use the computer; hearing and speaking to exchange information, in person or on the telephone, and make presentations.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:

The Oakland Unified School District does not discriminate in any program, activity, or in employment on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, gender, sex, or sexual orientation.