Benefits Coordinator

MBTA; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

MBTA in Boston, MA seeks a Benefits Coordinator who will administer all aspects of multiple employee benefits programs, including open enrollment, health insurance, FSA, life insurance, retirement plans, and related reporting.

You will respond to inquiries, coordinate with providers, process enrollment, manage deferred compensation, and ensure compliance with bargaining agreements and MBTA policies. A bachelor's degree and 2 years of benefits experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Two years of benefits administration experience in a large organization.
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PeopleSoft.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information and provide customer service.

Responsibilities

• Administer multiple employee benefits programs and open enrollment.
• Respond to inquiries from employees, retirees, and survivors.
• Coordinate with benefits providers and manage enrollment documentation.
• Prepare pension deduction reports and payroll-related reconciliations.
• Ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements and policies.

Skills

Communication skills

Public speaking

Organizational skills

Time management

Discretion with confidential info

Customer service

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

PeopleSoft

Job description

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA's core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The Benefits Coordinator administers all aspects of multiple employee benefits programs for the Authority. This includes annual open enrollment, health insurance, dental and vision insurance, FSA, life insurance, long- term disability, commuter choice, educational reimbursement assistance program, unemployment, deferred compensation, retirement plans and monthly pension deduction report, retiree process and benefits programs, safety boots and glasses, and death notification. The Benefits Coordinator responds to all employees, retirees, dependents, and survivors' inquiries regarding plan enrollment, eligibility, coverage, and changes, and provides extensive assistance to employees, retirees, dependents, and survivors with benefits related issues. The Benefits Coordinator also facilitates the resolution of issues and provide in-depth information about different benefit plans.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Conduct new hire, employee benefits, and policy orientations and explain benefit choices to new employees.
• Daily assist employees, retirees, dependents and survivors with benefit questions, enrollment, qualifying event, and related topics.
• Liaise with Authority's benefit providers.
• Assist with enrollment process and notarize applicable forms. Explain Authority policies and complete all information related to the orientation and distribute to appropriate departments.
• Assist with the implementation of benefit changes to system tables and records, filing systems and employee communication resulting from collective bargaining agreements to ensure that the Authority is in compliance with agreements negotiated with Labor Unions regarding supplemental benefit programs.
• Coordinate activities associated with annual open enrollment and health fairs.
• Assist employees with and process all transactions related to employee and retiree medical, dental and vision coverage; basic and supplemental life insurance coverage; long- term disability coverage; educational reimbursement assistance, safety boots and glasses, commuter choice and other benefit options.
• Administer the deferred compensation program, responding to retirees inquires, determining eligibility, maintaining plan compliance, performing monthly reconciliations, and processing monthly pension deduction reports.
• Monitor all aspects of the Authority’s Unemployment claims process within prescribed deadlines by acting as the liaison with vendors, researching data, calculating wages, and contacting appropriate department representatives and Labor Relations Representatives for pertinent documentation.
• Monthly follow up with the MBTA Retirement Fund agenda, disability retirements, and death of retiree who may be receiving deferred compensation.
• Prepare Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable vouchers and perform necessary reconciliations.
• Create and update Benefits Docusign envelope.
• Respond to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor, or co-worker in a courteous and professional manner.
• Adhere to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable) and policies of the Authority including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment and Anti-Retaliation policies.
• Perform related duties and projects as assigned.

Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations.

See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions.

Supervision

• No direct reports.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Two (2) years of experience in high-volume Benefits administration in a large organization and/or administering Human Resources related programs.
• Working knowledge of Word, Intermediate/Advanced Excel, and PowerPoint applications, and PeopleSoft.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak to large audiences and facilitate meetings.
• Possesses strong organizational, multi-tasking, time management and quantitative analysis skills.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information in an appropriate manner.
• Excellent customer service and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong problem solving and research skills with the ability to determine effective solutions.
• Consistently provide a courteous, professional experience to both internal and external customers.
• The ability to work with a diverse workforce.

Substitutions

• A high school diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• An associate's degree from an accredited institution and an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• A master's degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one (1) year of experience.

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Five (5) years of high-volume Benefits experience.
• DocuSign experience.
• GIC/MAGIC.
• Tableau.
• Workday.

Job Conditions

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers And Definitions

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
• Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
• Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
• Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
• Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
• On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
• Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or [e-mail] .
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer . For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions .
• Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.