Benefits Analyst in Payroll @ UTHealth Houston

Position Summary

We are looking for a Benefits Analyst to join our Human Resources and Payroll team. This employee assists the Assistant Director of Benefits in the day-to-day operations of the benefits department and provides benefits and retirement plan assistance to employees and retirees in compliance with UTHealth policies and guidelines. Serves as a primary point of contact for employees, retirees, and department leads regarding benefit-related questions. You will work a hybrid schedule from 8 am until 5 pm with two remote days per week. The office is located at our University Center Tower. The focus will be on answering questions, sending emails, preparing presentations, and addressing employee concerns about payroll deductions for our benefits program.

This is a full-time role eligible for all UTHealth Houston benefits, and the employee will become a subject-matter expert in this area.

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

Once you join us, you won't want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue!
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as...

• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care
• Plus many more!

Position Key Accountabilities

• Serves as a subject matter expert for all employee benefits programs, including but not limited to health, welfare, and retirement plans.
• Conducts new employee orientation and retirement counseling.
• Works the benefits portal, completes tasks, and reports to ensure benefit changes are entered appropriately in the benefits and payroll system for processing.
• Reviews and verifies dependent documentation.
• Reconciles deductions of benefit plans that include, but are not limited to, health, dental, vision, parking, life insurance, short- and long-term disability policies, and flex spending accounts.
• Processes overrides and adjustments in adherence with payroll deadlines.
• Audits and administers longevity, time-off/leave plans in accordance with institutional policies while complying with state and federal regulations. Resolves discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Verifies and completes requests related to claims eligibility, employee status changes, and life insurance claims.
• Coordinates and develops a plan for annual enrollment activities and prepares materials for distribution.
• Analyzes personnel action reports to determine continued eligibility for employees and retirees.
• Reviews and responds to COBRA-related inquiries.
• Maintains internal and external web pages and prepares communications regarding benefits and leave plans.
• Maintains a current working knowledge of UT System, UTHealth benefits policy, procedures, and legislative changes.
• Assists with completion of reporting requirements for state and federal agencies.
• Assists with system testing and system setup.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education

At least a High School Diploma or equivalent is required.

Minimum Experience

You should have two (2) years of related employee benefits experience; 2 years of experience in Higher Ed, particularly in the benefits/leave area, is preferred.

Physical Requirements

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.

Residency Requirement

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas. This is a hybrid role.