Lead Benefits Analyst

Oregon Department of Administrative Services

Operations & Policy Analyst 2

Lead Benefits Analyst

 

POSSIBLE JOB ROTATION OPPORTUNITY

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Oregon Educators Benefit Board (OEBB) is seeking to 1 full-time, permanent position and 1 limited duration position with possible job rotation located in Salem.  The limited duration position will end on September 30, 2008.  This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.  If you are hired, you will become part of the state’s management team.

The Oregon Educators Benefit Board, housed in the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), was established with the passage of Senate Bill 426 in March 2007.  The OEBB is responsible for the design, purchase and administration of benefit plans for all K-12 school district and Education Service District (ESD) employees and their dependents.  OEBB plans must be available on October 1, 2008.  The people selected for these positions must enjoy working in a small team environment.

TO QUALIFY:

Your PD100 application form and cover letter will be reviewed to verify that you meet the qualifications stated in this section.  Your application form must clearly show that have the following:
 
A Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Finance, Political Science or any degree demonstrating the capacity for the knowledge and skills;  AND  2 years professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.  OR

Any combination of experience or education equivalent to five years of experience in providing administration and business advocacy support for complex benefit coverage and employee eligibility issues.

JOB ROTATION CONDITIONS

You must be a current employee of the State of Oregon; classified and management service (except temporaries) are eligible to apply providing they have completed initial trial service. Approval from the employee's immediate supervisor is necessary before applying for this rotational opportunity. Candidates at salary ranges below SR30 will be paid work out of class for the duration of the assignment. Either party may terminate the assignment at any time. Employee may return to their current position upon completion of this assignment.


DESIRED ATTRIBUTES

We are seeking candidates with a work history that demonstrates the following:
 Knowledge and experience in payroll, health and welfare, employee benefits administration or human resources. Advanced PC skills including keyboarding, use of databases, spreadsheets and word processing. Experience in a school district, ESD, College or as a pebb.benefit agency administrator in the last 5 years. Experience presenting training sessions is preferred. Excellent customer service skills.


Only the candidates whose experience most closely match the qualifications and desired attributes of this position will be invited to an interview. 
 
TO QUALIFY
 
There is no test for this job.  If you meet the “To Qualify” requirements on this announcement your name will be placed on the list with a code of QLF (qualified).
 
NOTE:  As a condition of employment, applicants selected to fill a position with DAS/OEBB will be required to undergo a criminal records check which may require fingerprints (FBI & LEDS Check).  Any history of criminal activity will be reviewed and could result in the withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment.
 
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
 
The primary purpose of this position is to support the overall objectives and goals of OEBB by providing support, research and analysis for the implementation and administration of multiple benefit plans and programs.  Major duties include but are not limited to the following:
 
Provide direct project support in implementation and coordination of the OEBB benefit management system, OEBB benefit programs and the annual open enrollment process.  Review and resolve complex issues related to the implementation of the new OEBB Benefit management System.  Compose complex technical correspondence.  Work directly with school district and developed or revised in accordance with law, rules changes, and technological advances.  Identify needed system updates, investigate and analyze options, and prepare written documentation to support recommended solution.
 
Function as the OEBB rules coordinator with responsibility for all aspects of the Rule making process.  Write new or amend existing OAR’s.  Apply extensive knowledge of Administrative Rules, policies and procedures, IRS guidelines governing flexible benefit programs and federal laws governing COBRA continuation of group coverage when developing procedures and training for OEBB staff and school district administrators, reviewing and analyzing certifications and member communication materials.
 
Conduct research, create and enhance operational procedures and recommend program changes based on state and federal law and IRS regulation changes.
 
Respond to complex eligibility issues relating to OEBB sponsored benefit plans.  Compose complex correspondence.  Provide justification that decision is consistent with governing rules and policies.  Interpret and explain policies and procedures and applicable to OEBB benefit eligibility.
 
Responsible for assigning all appeals to the Benefit Analyst’s team members at work.  Will be lead person for questions as team members review the appeals, and will ensure that appeals are completed within a timely fashion.  Recommend resolution of complex appeals, substantiating resolution decisions, confirming contract and policy compliance, and preparation written analysis when referring complex appeals to the Benefits Manager.
 
WORKING CONDITIONS

Duties of this position are usually performed in an office environment.  At times, may require light lifting of 20 pounds or less.  Employee may be required to work extra hours during peak activity periods.  Must be able to treat confidential matters and material appropriately.  Regular attendance and adherence to the approved work schedule is required.  Must be able to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.  The person in this position must possess excellent prioritization and organization skills as this position requires the ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously, sometimes with short time frames.  Occasional dealing with irate or upset individuals.  Occasional day and overnight travel within the state is required.  Must have a valid drivers’ license and a good driving record.  If not, be able to provide an acceptable alternate method of transportation.
 
BENEFITS

The state provides an excellent benefit and compensation package, which includes:
 Paid holiday, vacation and sick leave. Participation in the Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP). A generous contribution toward individual and family health and dental insurance. Employer paid $5,000 Basic Life insurance. Employee options to participate in the Oregon Savings Growth Plan, a deferred compensation program, offering a wide variety of investment options as well as additional basic life insurance coverage, long- and short-term disability plans, accidental death and dismemberment plans and long-term care insurance.


HOW TO APPLY
 
 Interested persons are asked to submit the following:
 
If you qualify, submit a State of Oregon Employment Application (PD100) and a cover letter of no more than three pages clearly describing how your expereince, education, and training meet the minimum qualifications and how you believe you've developed and demonstrated above desired attributes. Please use specific examples.
 
Supervisor’s approval letter if applying for this position as a rotational opportunity.
 
SEND COMPLETED APPLICATION MATERIALS TO:
 
Department of Administrative Services
Employee Services Section
155 Cottage Street NE U130
Salem, OR 97301
FAX (503) 378-6879 

You may E-MAIL your application materials to us at DASpersonnel.apps@das.state.or.us . By electronically submitting your application, you agree to the conditions stated in the Certification and Signature section of the application, which is enforceable as if you had signed. You will receive automated confirmation of receipt only if you submit via e-mail.
 
H.I.R.E. System participants interested in being considered for this position must follow the TO APPLY instruction listed in this announcement.  Copies of applications, supplements and job announcements can be obtained from www.oregonjobs.org. 
 
AFTER your application materials have been reviewed, you will be sent a notice by mail advising:  a) if your application was accepted or b) if your application was not accepted.  If you don't agree with the results, you may request a review.  Review requests must be submitted in writing and must be received within 10 days from the date of the notice.  Additional information cannot be accepted.  However, if your application was not accepted and if the recruitment is still open, you may submit a new application as long as it is received in our office by the close date. DAS is not responsible for material that is illegible or missing as a result of transmitting by fax or which may be lost through the mail.
 
SUBMIT only the required materials.  Reference letters or work examples should be kept for interviews. In addition, any application materials previously submitted for other positions will not be matched to this application by DAS.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit all required documents every time.
 
INTERVIEWS will be scheduled for those applicants whose background most closely matches the needs of the position.  KEEP a copy of all application materials for job interviews.   COPIES ARE NOT PROVIDED.
 
CURRENT JOB OPENINGS and information on the required application forms are available through
http://www.oregonjobs.org/, or you can obtain a State of Oregon Employment Application form (PD100) from any local Oregon Employment Department office, most other state agency personnel offices.
 
APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:00 P.M. ON APRIL 1, 2008.  Due to the volume of applications received, DAS cannot confirm receipt of applications. The pay on all announcements may change without notice.
 
If you require an alternate format in order to complete the employment process, you may call (503) 378-3622.  Please be prepared to leave a message describing the alternate format needed.
 
NOTE:  The Department of Administrative Services does not offer visa sponsorships.  Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Justice form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. 
 

The Department of Administrative Services is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to a diverse work place.