This posting will be used to fill a full-time, permanent Benefits Analyst I or II (Personnel Analyst I or II) vacancy within the Health Benefits Unit of the Office of Personnel. This position will be involved with auditing, enrollment, benefits delivery, and claims activities of the County's various health insurance and benefit programs administered by the Office of Personnel. This is professional work in employee benefits.The Health Benefits Unit is responsible for group health insurance benefit program administration and processing. The Personnel Analyst will review and audit health benefit programs. This includes, but is not limited to, enrollment records for new employees, new retirees and eligible dependents, along with enrollment changes, terminations, and COBRA enrollments. The Personnel Analyst will track and oversee maintenance of employee health benefit databases and data transmittals to insurance vendors; interfaces with the internal payroll system; and interfaces with external partners such as ADP, Aetna, MetLife, State of Maryland and Privatized Partner Agencies. Duties also include analysis of health benefit data, data manipulation, and preparation of health benefit reports and compiling ad hoc statistics. Duties also include researching claims questions and resolving issues related to the health benefit program as well as assisting with Affordable Care Act reporting and open enrollment testing. The Personnel Analyst will assist with employee and retiree outreach and education including new hire orientation, pre-retirement benefit planning seminars, transition to Medicare seminars, and open enrollment. Duties also include analysis of health benefit data, preparation of health benefit reports, as well as assisting with Affordable Care Act reporting and open enrollment testing. Excellent analytical and customer service skills in health benefit administration are required.Nature and Variety of Work:This position requires a thorough knowledge of and demonstrated experience in health benefits auditing and administration, health plan evaluation and benefits design, vendor implementation, contract administration, evaluation of requests for proposals as well as knowledge of Federal, State and local employment laws related to health insurance and health benefit administration.(Note: The duties and responsibilities enumerated in this class specification are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications and salary level for all positions in this class. They are not intended to include all of the essential functions of all positions in the class.)Conduct monthly and quarterly audits on our plans to confirm data integrity.Generate ad hoc reports and running analytics.Provide benefit implementation and system testing support (with Benefits Manager and contractor) of the future HRIS.Document and maintain administrative procedures for assigned benefits processes.Assist with the design and distribution of materials for benefits orientations and open enrollment, as well as open enrollment testing.Provide customer service support to internal and external customers.Conduct presentations regarding benefits for new hire orientations and annual enrollment.Serve as the back-up for the administration of various employee benefit programs such as medical, dental, vision, FSA and life insurance plans.Provide information and guidance to employees and retirees regarding enrolling in a benefit plan to best meet their needs, insurance claims resolution, eligibility requirements, enrollment procedures, coverage and other related issues.Serve as a back-up to the Leave Administrator. Analyze and interpret leave regulations in accordance with federal law and the county policy.Performs related duties as required.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIESKnowledge of analytical procedures and techniques used in researching, organizing, investigating, and conducting studies.Ability to organize and evaluate data, arrive at sound conclusions, and make recommendations.Ability to utilize Excel to manage data from various data sources.Knowledge of HRIS and Benefits Administration Systems. Considerable knowledge of health benefit programs and how they are administered.Considerable knowledge of characteristics of local public service occupations.Considerable knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, procedures, and employment health benefit programs and the ability to interpret, apply and explain applicable laws, regulations, policies and health benefit programs.Considerable knowledge of the organization and activities of the county government and of personnel resource needs in relation thereto.Ability to handle confidential information.Ability to establish and maintain effective work relations with other employees, departmental representatives, and the public.Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.Benefits Analyst I (Personnel Analyst I):$57,876 - $103,971Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in business or public administration, the social sciences, or a related field; and one (1) or more years of work experience in personnel administration.NOTE: Graduation from an accredited four-year university with major course work in business or public administration, the social sciences, or a related field may be substituted on a year-for-year basis with additional work experience in personnel administration for a total of five (5) or more years in personnel administration.Benefits Analyst II (Personnel Analyst II):$67,112 - $126,678Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major work in public or business administration, the social sciences, or a related field; and two (2) or more years of technical experience in major phases of personnel management.NOTE: Graduation from an accredited four-year university with major course work in business or public administration, the social sciences, or a related field may be substituted on a year-for-year basis with additional technical experience in major phases of personnel management for a total of six (6) or more years of technical experience in major phases of personnel management.NOTE: This position requires a thorough background check.Preference will be given to applicants with the following:Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Excel.Experience using software and tools to conduct audits.Demonstrated experience conducting audits of data files, reconciling associated error reports, and working with internal or external auditors.Two or more years of direct experience working with the administration of employee and retiree health care benefits including, but not limited to; data file analysis and manipulation, enrollment, orientation, claims management, Federal and State regulations, HRIS, vendor relations, wellness programs, and OPEB.Experience working with governmental health care plans.