Benefits Specialist, Principal/ Benefits Specialist, Senior/Benefits Specialist

Job Description Benefits Specialist/Senior Benefits Specialist/Principal Benefits Specialist Join OCTA’s Human Resources team and play an important role in delivering comprehensive benefits programs that support our employees and their families. The Benefits Specialist job family administers and supports a broad range of employee benefits, including health and supplemental benefits, retirement programs, deferred compensation, and related employee education and communications. Depending on the level, this position will also research and analyze benefit programs, lead key initiatives such as annual open enrollment, oversee vendor and third-party administrator performance, evaluate program effectiveness, and recommend and implement benefit program improvements. This position may be filled at the Benefits Specialist, Senior Benefits Specialist, or Principal Benefits Specialist level. The level will be determined based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience. Salary grade and range will correspond to the applicable level. The starting salary will be within the applicable range based on qualifications. Benefits Specialist - This is a non-exempt position in Salary Grade 185: Min $40.06 - Mid $47.59- Max $55.11 hourly. The starting salary will be within this range based on qualifications. Benefits Specialist, Senior - This is an exempt position in Salary Grade 200: Min $96,449.60 – Mid $114,587.20 – Max $132,704.00 per year. The starting salary will be within this range based on qualifications. Benefits Specialist, Principal - This is an exempt position in Salary Grade 210: Min $106,329.60 – Mid $126,318.40 – Max $146,286.40 per year. The starting salary will be within this range based on qualifications. This posting will remain open until a candidate is selected. What You’ll Do Administer employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, retirement, and deferred compensation programs Serve as a resource to employees and management regarding benefit plans, eligibility, enrollment, coverage, policies, and procedures Support retirement and deferred compensation programs, including 457(b) and 401(a) plans, and provide benefit information to retiring or separating employees Coordinate and/or lead the annual open enrollment process, including project planning, employee communications, enrollment activities, and implementation Research and resolve benefit issues involving eligibility, qualifying life events, coverage, claims, appeals, and plan provisions Develop clear and engaging employee communications and educational materials that help employees understand and maximize their benefits Monitor benefit providers, third-party administrators, medical providers, and insurance carriers for performance, compliance, and service delivery Reconcile enrollments, invoices, benefit spending, budgets, contracts, and purchase orders Support ACA reporting and administration and apply applicable benefits regulations, including COBRA, Section 125, ACA, FMLA, CFRA, HIPAA, and retirement/deferred compensation requirements Develop and maintain benefits policies, procedures, administrative processes, reports, and analytical tools Analyze benefits data, industry trends, employee feedback, and program performance to identify opportunities for improvement Support benefit contracts, Board actions, proposals, negotiations, and vendor coordination Collaborate with HR team members, employees, management, vendors, and other partners to successfully implement competitive benefit programs What We’re Looking For Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience Professional experience administering employee benefit programs Knowledge of health and welfare benefits, retirement programs, and deferred compensation plans Ability to research, interpret, and apply benefit plan provisions, policies, and regulatory requirements Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work with benefits data and financial information Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to explain complex benefit information clearly Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines Ability to build effective working relationships with employees, management, vendors, and third-party administrators Advanced Microsoft Excel skills are highly desirable for the senior and principal levels Experience with Workday is highly desirable Three Career Levels Benefits Specialist Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field and a minimum of three years of professional benefits administration experience. This level performs the full scope of benefits administration and provides research, analysis, employee support, and assistance with major benefit initiatives. Certified Benefits Professional designation is preferred. Senior Benefits Specialist Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field and a minimum of five years of professional benefits administration experience. This level works with greater independence, leads annual open enrollment, applies advanced regulatory knowledge, monitors vendors and third-party administrators, develops analytical reports, and recommends and implements process improvements. Certified Employee Benefits Specialist designation is preferred. Principal Benefits Specialist Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field and a minimum of seven years of professional benefits administration experience. This level serves as a subject matter expert, leads complex benefits initiatives, directs vendor and administrator oversight activities, evaluates program effectiveness, develops and implements program changes, negotiates benefit service contracts, and may lead or direct the work of others. A master’s degree and Certified Benefits Professional designation are preferred. Why You’ll Love It Here Help deliver benefit programs that make a meaningful difference for OCTA employees and their families Work across a diverse portfolio of health, retirement, deferred compensation, and supplemental benefit programs Develop expertise in public-sector benefits administration and regulatory compliance Use research and analytics to help shape competitive, effective, and employee-focused benefit programs Collaborate with employees, leadership, vendors, and HR professionals on high-impact initiatives Grow within a three-level professional career path with opportunities for increasing responsibility, technical leadership, and program ownership Join a team where innovation, integrity, and strategic thinking are valued. Apply now to help deliver benefits programs that support OCTA’s employees throughout every stage of their careers. OCTA is an equal employment opportunity employer that recruits, hires, and promotes qualified people without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, military and veteran status, or other legally protected status. OCTA is the county’s transportation planning commission and public transit operator. With a focus on safety and accountability, we plan, fund, and implement countywide projects that include bus and rail transit, freeways and express lanes, rideshare, microtransit, paratransit, active transportation, and environmental programs. We’re passionate about creating a balanced, equitable and sustainable transportation system that reflects the diverse travel needs of the county’s 34 cities and 3.2 million residents. Our employees rated OCTA as a top workplace in Orange County. Come join us on our mission of keeping Orange County moving.

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