Benefits Analyst

Title: Benefits Analyst

Employee Status: Regular Full Time

Work From Home Option: Not Applicable

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Job Overview

The scope of this role includes employee customer service and interfacing with the day-to-day administration of employee benefits for non-union and union-represented employees. This includes resolving issues, conducting new hire orientation, processing benefits payments/invoices, LOA administration, conducting audits to ensure benefits accuracy and compliance, and team lead for open enrollment and other benefits projects.

Essential Functions

Essential Functions:

• Function as a resource for interpreting human resources policies and administration of benefit plans. Communicate new policies and/or changes to existing policies/programs.
• Be a subject matter expert on leave of absence and paid time off administration. This involves meeting with employees upon their benefit eligibility, before leave starts, and after they return from leave while continuously communicating with their manager and HR leads to keep all parties informed. If necessary, escalate concerns to the appropriate HR team member.
• Completes all Benefit data entry for NYRA employees' benefit enrollment and creates/maintains Benefit Plans and rate updates in the HCM system.
• Audit, maintain, and generate reports of nonunion/union databases/portals to monitor benefit programs, guarantee vendor compliance, validate that systems adequately capture the required data, and ensure they reflect accurate employee roster changes monthly to minimize financial risk to NYRA.
• Reconcile and process benefit invoices. Schedule pension and 401(K) committee meetings. Funds weekly 401(K), Pension, HSA, and FSA contributions. Fund QNEC and process all non-discrimination testing.
• Organizes a yearly Health Fair and supports open enrollment for annual employee benefits, including, but not limited to, employee communication materials, an employee self-service portal, records, and system testing.
• Coordinate and refer NYRA employees and Retirees’ questions to the Health Advocate.
  
  
  

Employee Benefits

• Ensure NYRA complies with required federal and state filings such as OPEB, 5500 SARs, FSA & 401(k) nondiscrimination testing, PBGC, ACA, and RDS.
• Streamlines the benefits enrollment process, allowing employees to select or modify their benefits plans online.
• Ensure that the proper employees receive the appropriate coverage and reconcile benefit invoices.
• Ensure CBA benefit compliance. Ensure accurate benefit costs are entered into the HR system.
• Benefits Analyst has constant communication with all the employees of NYRA. Outside communication includes, but is not limited to, employees, Third-Party benefit providers, and union representatives.
  
  
  

Other

• Manages the development, implementation, and administration of Third-Party interface files/programs to ensure accurate data transmission and management.
• Seek to identify process and software improvements, improved systems internal controls, and savings opportunities.
• Manage incoming reporting requests and provide ad-hoc project support and analysis as needed.
• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job, nor should this be considered an employment contract. Duties, obligations, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.
  
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Education: A bachelor’s degree in human resources, benefits, or a related field and a master’s degree are preferred.
• Experience: One (1) to Three (3) years of benefits and/or related HR experience. Knowledge of benefits and data analytics is preferred.
• Other Preferences: CEBS or SHRM-CP a plus.
  
  
  

Knowledge & Skills Required

• A bachelor’s degree in human resources or a related field is preferred; a master’s degree is a plus.
• Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)
• Benefits Administration and reporting.
• Collaboration and positive relationship-building both internally as a team and externally
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, reporting, and troubleshooting.
• Conflict and resolution management
• Project Management, managing priorities and multi-tasking
• Effective written and verbal communication
• Organization
• Critical Thinking
• Challenge the status quo and increase process efficiency.
  
  
  

Summary Of Physical Requirements And Work Environment

The Benefit Analyst role is primarily office-based, requiring prolonged periods of sitting at a desk, working on a computer. The position may involve occasional standing, walking, or lifting of light office materials (up to 10 lbs). The work environment is a standard professional office setting with minimal exposure to noise, temperature changes, or other physical discomforts. Regular use of office equipment such as computers, phones, and printers is required.

Pay Range / Salary: $36.00-$38.00 hourly