Employee Benefits Analyst

About the role

The AWC Employee Benefit Trust (AWC Trust) is a member service of the Association of Washington Cities and is Washington’s premier local government benefit pool for cities, towns, and other local governments. The AWC Trust provides a broad selection of benefit insurance options and health management programs for members.

Responsibilities

• Aid in the administration of all benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, long term disability, employee assistance program, tax-favored accounts, and long-term care.
• Collaborate with program leadership and staff to develop, customize, and deliver benefit presentations at member sites, including labor-management committees, executive teams, elected officials, and specific work units (i.e., public safety, public works, non-union, etc.).
• Develop and deliver virtual trainings and recorded educational materials on benefit programs, enrollment, and related topics.
• Coordinate the development and issuance of Requests for Proposals for Health Care Program vendor services in accordance with established timelines; assist with vendor interviews and selection; and maintain documentation for audit purposes.
• Aid in the development of the annual operating budget including processing invoices, tracking expenditures, and reviewing monthly financial reports.
• Cook up and organize the required financial and accountability audit information.
• Aid in the implementation of the Trust communication plan and serve as project lead, coordinate internal staff and external consultants/vendors to meet timelines and deliverables.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of market-relevant benefit plan designs, including monitoring and strategic conversations with benefit consultants, carriers, actuaries, and legal counsel.
• Aid in the coordination of annual benefit renewal, including technical analysis, rate development review and proofing, and collaboration with consultants, carriers, actuaries, and billing administrator to ensure accuracy and timely implementation of renewal changes.
• Assist in the coordination of vendor contracts, including initial work with carriers, review of contracts with legal counsel, and coordination with program leadership.
• Draft, review, edit, and/or proofread program related communications.
• Prepare compliance reporting and respond to related questions, in particular those generated by the DOL, IRS, ACA, and the State Risk Manager (SRM).
• Respond to member inquiries and troubleshoot benefit issues; delegate inquiries of members and vendors as appropriate.
• Serve as the Trust’s Public Records Officer, managing all phases of the public records request process in accordance with RCW 42.56, including communicating with requesters and record holders, coordinating with legal counsel as needed, gathering and reviewing responsive records, identifying potential exemptions, applying redactions, preparing exemption logs, and calculating fees when appropriate.
• Travel to off-site training and events and other work locations, including driving as needed, overnight stays generally not exceeding 50 nights per year.

Requirements

• 5 years’ experience in benefits administration and preferred work with a multi-employer association, local government or nonprofit organization.
• 3 years’ experience in contract management and request for proposals development and coordination.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field; experience may be substituted year-for-year for academic achievement.
• Must maintain a valid Washington state driver’s license in good standing.

What you bring to the team

• Extensive working knowledge and clear understanding of benefit plans, including deductibles, co-insurance, co-pays, and prescription formularies.
• Extensive working knowledge of the principles and practices utilized in the health care industry.
• Extensive working knowledge of the trends and complete inventory of employer provided employee benefits.
• Thorough understanding of regulatory/statutory environment including but not limited to health care reform, HIPAA privacy and security requirements.
• Knowledge of compliance-related issues, in particular those generated by the DOL, IRS, and ACA.
• Extensive working knowledge of human resources regulations and labor relations.
• Knowledge of basic math, accounting, and finance practices.
• Knowledge of the requirements of the Washington State Public Records Act.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to convey complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, with advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, and the ability to learn proprietary software.
• Ability to make decisions, act independently, and manage confidential and time sensitive information.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Working conditions

• Hours worked may be irregular and may begin and end work beyond the normal workday when necessary.
• Work is performed primarily in an office setting and at assigned locations across Washington state.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods while working on a computer, attending virtual or in-person meetings.
• Operate a computer and standard office equipment including a keyboard, mouse, and phone.
• Effectively exchange information in person, by telephone, and through virtual communication platforms.
• Travel to off-site training and events and other work locations, including driving as needed, overnight stays generally not exceeding 50 nights per year.
• Lift and move materials weighing up to 30 pounds.

Pay

Salary
The full salary range for this position is $77,648 - $116,473 annually. The top candidate’s placement within the range will typically fall between the minimum and 25th percentile of the range, depending on education, training, experience, and other conditions consistent with AWC policy. A compensation market analysis is completed every other year. As outlined in policy, AWC employees generally receive an annual adjustment based on market and economic changes, and an increase based on meeting full performance expectations.

Schedule

This position is eligible to work remotely on certain days of the week, subject to approval and as determined by AWC.