Benefits and Payroll Analyst - 034 chez Superior Court of California, County of Kern, CA

About the Department

Under direct supervision, the Benefits and Payroll Analyst is responsible for ensuring accurate and timely processing of payroll and administering and managing employee and retiree benefit programs. This role involves working closely with various departments and vendors to ensure compliance with court policies, regulations and needs, as well as providing exceptional service and support to employees and retirees regarding payroll and benefits inquiries.  

Distinguishing Characteristics:
Incumbents are expected to exercise good judgment in performing a wide variety of payroll processing and benefits administration duties and responsibilities with minimal supervision.

Position Duties

• Manage the day-to-day operations of group benefit programs (group health, dental vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, flexible spending plan, pet insurance, retirement plans, etc.)
• Manage the day-to-day operations of group benefit programs for retirees.
• Prepare and process bi-weekly payroll for all employees, ensuring accuracy in hours worked, deductions, and benefit contributions. 
• Review and reconcile payroll discrepancies and resolve any issues related to payroll processing.  
• Assist employees and retirees with benefits enrollments and changes, ensuring all necessary documentation are completed accurately and timely. 
• Provide clear and concise information to employees and retirees regarding their benefits options, eligibility, and enrollment procedures.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding payroll issues, including paychecks, deductions, and tax withholdings. 
• Ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations, including ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ACA, and HIPPA.
• Maintain payroll records in compliance with court policies and legal regulations.  
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee benefits records in SAP.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee benefit forms and processes in NeoGov.   
• Address and resolve employee and retiree inquiries and issues related to benefits, escalating complex issues to the appropriate contact as needed. 
• Liaise with benefits providers and vendors to resolve issues and ensure the smooth administration of benefit programs.
• Collects and analyzes data for use in labor negotiations.
• Generate and analyze payroll and benefits reports to provide insights and recommendations for process improvements.
• Develops and maintains position control system; reviews position requests and validates proper approvals, classification coding; maintains vacancy report.  
• Conduct benefits orientations for new hires.
• Develop and update payroll and benefits guides, policies and procedures, forms, etc.
• Stay current with payroll and benefits legislation and best practices to ensure compliance.  
• Complete ACA reporting and PCORI submissions.
• Work closely with the other members of the HR department and Finance department to ensure smooth payroll operations and benefits administration. 
• Annual open enrollment for employees and retirees.
• Implementation of new payroll and/or benefits software or systems as required.   
• Provide training and support to employees regarding payroll. 
• Regular and reliable attendance. 
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in public administration, human resources, business administration, or related field preferred; and two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in one or more of the following areas: benefits administration, general human resources, payroll processing, or related experience, preferably in a court system. Experience with SAP is strongly preferred.  Two (2) additional years of experience may be substituted for education requirement.

Knowledge of: employee benefits and applicable laws; federal, state, and local payroll regulations and tax laws; the policies and procedures of the court particularly relating to court employment, benefits, and retirement; familiarity with the organization of the court and the functions of the various divisions; understanding of pertinent local, state, and federal rules and regulations concerning employment, labor contracts and employee benefits; customer service principles; data gathering, compilation and report writing; office procedures, equipment and practices; computer usage and all applicable software (for example: Microsoft Excel, Visio, SAP, SharePoint).

Ability to: research, understand, and apply court policies and procedures; conduct audits of payroll data to identify and rectify errors; provide excellent communication and interpersonal skills; handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism; local, state and federal rules and regulations concerning employment; maintain personnel files and records; process payroll and benefits transactions accurately; resolve any routine problems that may occur; gather, tabulate and compile data; respond to requests for information from employees, vendors, and/or the public; follow oral and written directions; prepare reports; operate a personal computer and applicable software; use standard office equipment; perform detailed work with a   high level of attention to detail and meet deadlines.

Other Necessary Requirements: A valid and clear California Class C driver license and the ability to maintain insurability under the court’s vehicle insurance program.  Must pass background investigation to the satisfaction of the court. 

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:
The physical demands of this primarily sedentary indoor office job are: finger/hand/arm/ upper body dexterity, repetitive hand/arm movement, pushing, pulling, lifting 25 pounds occasionally, mobility (indoors and outdoors), typing, bending, stooping, squatting, reaching, and prolonged sitting.  Mental functions include reading, writing/composition, math computations, problem solving, decision-making, and multi-tasking. The working environment includes repetitive tasks, reliance on office machinery, interaction with the public, employees, and vendors and limited exposure to dust, odors, perfumes, and noise.

Other Qualifications

All applicants are required to submit an online application. Résumés will not be accepted in lieu of the required application.  Interviews will be scheduled with some or all of the applicants.

Status Notifications: You will be notified by email through the governmentjobs.com site during the process of this recruitment. Some email accounts have been known to place these emails in the spam/junk file. Please check your email folders and/or accept emails ending with governmentjobs.com and kern.courts.ca.gov. If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

We are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed during Court holidays.

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