ANNUAL SALARY

$77,297 to $113,023 

NOTE:

Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.

A Benefits Analyst performs professional benefits administration work by assembling, analyzing, and interpreting data and by preparing correspondence and reports with recommendations to management on diverse retirement benefits administration activities, issues, and problems; researches, resolves and processes retirement benefit claims and inquiries for members and their beneficiaries; provides written and oral responses to retirement inquiries, claims and requests for information; advises and counsels members, and beneficiaries on available benefits; initiates, compiles, calculates, and processes adjustments and manual payments; interacts frequently with staff and provides technical direction, guidance and training to other benefits administration staff; consults with plan providers, department representatives and other agencies; administers and evaluates employee benefit and retirement related contracts; and conducts benefits and retirement related workshops and presentations. May provide supervision, technical assistance, training, or act as a head worker to staff involved in providing benefits-related services; assists with associated general administrative tasks and performs related work.

1. One year of full-time paid professional experience as a Management Assistant or in a class at that level performing duties in the analysis and administration of employee benefits or retirement programs; or 

2. Two years of full-time paid experience as a Management Aide with the City of Los Angeles performing duties in the analysis and administration of employee benefits or retirement programs; or 

3. Two years of full-time paid experience as a Chief Clerk with the City of Los Angeles supervising staff engaged in employee benefits or retirement programs related work; or 

4. Three years of full-time paid experience as a Benefits Specialist with the City of Los Angeles. 

PROCESS NOTES

1. Applicants who lack six months or less of the above experience may file for this examination. However, they cannot be appointed until the full experience requirement has been met.

2. Some positions may require a valid California driver’s license. Candidates may not be eligible for an appointment to these positions if their record within the last 36 months reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation ( such as a DUI).

3. Some positions may require the ability to speak and/or write in Spanish.

4. For qualifying work experience gained outside of the City of Los Angeles in Requirement # 1, the term “professional experience” applies to positions that require possession of a degree from an accredited four-year college or university in order to obtain that position. Therefore, to be considered “professional”, non-City qualifying experience must be gained in positions after obtaining a four-year degree.

5. Please note that qualifying education must be from a college or university accredited by a City of Los Angeles recognized agency. A list of approved accrediting agencies can be found at http://per.lacity.org/Accredited Institutions 08-21-08.pdf (Download PDF reader). 

6. Candidates completing the examination process will be contacted by the Personnel Department to provide required proof of qualifying degree. Applicants who wish to expedite this process may attach a copy of their qualifying degree to their on-line application at the time of filing in the Attachments section.

Applications will only be accepted on-line. When you are viewing the on-line job bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the “Apply” icon. On-line job bulletins are also available at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacity.

NOTE:

Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.

Applications must be received by THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2021.

In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2, all applicants who apply may not be tested in this examination. To meet anticipated hiring needs, only a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process in the following order: 1) Los Angeles City Promotional applicants who meet the minimum requirements. You must have received a regular appointment to a City position or be on a reserve list to apply for this examination as a promotional candidate; 2) Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles on a part-time or exempt basis who meet the minimum requirements; 3) Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified candidates. 

Examination Weights: 
Multiple-Choice Test - Qualifying                                 
Essay - Advisory
Interview - 100%

The examination will consist of an advisory essay, a qualifying multiple-choice test, and interview. In the qualifying multiple-choice test, the following competencies may be evaluated: Reading Comprehension; Analytical Ability; Attention to Detail; Supervision; and Job Knowledge, including knowledge of: defined benefit plans or defined contribution plans based on the rules and regulations from the City Charter, Administrative Code provisions, federal and state laws and regulations, Internal Revenue Code, and employee benefits programs; policies and procedures related to workers’ compensation, organizations, such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Social Security, Franchise Tax Board, and trends governing defined benefit plans or defined contribution plans; processes and procedures, such as benefits calculations and benefits counseling techniques; data processing, such as Microsoft Excel, and computer-based systems’ capabilities as they relate to benefits and/or pension administration functions and objectives; and other necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities.

Additional job analysis information can be obtained by going to http://per.lacity.org/index.cfm?content=jobanalyses and clicking on Competencies under Benefits Analyst.

The multiple-choice test will be proctored and administered on-line during a single session. Candidates invited to participate in the on-line multiple-choice test will be able to take the test as instructed from a remote location using a computer with a webcam and a reliable internet connection. Candidates will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles outlining the dates and specific steps on how to take the multiple-choice test on-line. It is anticipated that the remote proctored multiple-choice test will be administered between MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 and MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2021. Candidates who do not complete and submit the remote proctored multiple-choice test on-line using a computer by the specified date and time as instructed will not be considered further in this examination. 

FAQs for on-line testing are available at http://per.lacity.org/index.cfm?content=employmenttestingprocess. Due to COVID-19 and social distancing requirements, only candidates who demonstrate a hardship may be offered the option to take the multiple-choice test onsite at a City facility.

Passing Score for the Qualifying Multiple-Choice Test 

The passing score for the qualifying multiple-choice test will be determined by Personnel Department staff after the qualifying multiple-choice test is administered. Consideration will be given to the number of candidates taking the test and the existing and anticipated number of vacancies, such that there are a sufficient number of eligibles on the list to satisfy current and future vacancies for the next two years. Therefore, the passing score for the qualifying multiple-choice test may be set either above or below 70%.

Prior to the multiple-choice test, candidates will be required to prepare some written material related to the duties and responsibilities of a Benefits Analyst. This essay material will not be separately scored, but will be presented to the interview board for review and consideration, which may include discussion, in the overall evaluation of the candidate. Those who do not complete the advisory essay will not be invited to the qualifying multiple-choice test and will be considered to have failed the entire examination. To be considered complete, the advisory essay must include a substantive response for each question or problem included in the advisory essay for which a candidate is required to provide an answer. Please note that candidates must complete the advisory essay and meet minimum qualifications as stated on this bulletin in order to be considered further in the examination process.

The advisory essay will be administered on-line. Applicants invited to participate in the examination will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles outlining the specific steps needed to complete the on-line advisory essay. Applicants will be required to complete the on-line advisory essay between MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2021 and MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 2021. Applicants who fail to complete the advisory essay as instructed may be disqualified. Candidates must achieve a passing score on the qualifying multiple-choice test and complete the advisory essay in order to be scheduled for the interview.

The examination score will be based entirely of an evaluation of professional and personal qualifications by interview. In the interview, the following competencies may be evaluated: Judgment and Decision Making, Analytical Ability, Attention to Detail, Supervision, Customer Service, Oral Communication, Written Communication, and Job Knowledge, including knowledge of: defined benefit plans or defined contribution plans based on the rules and regulations from the City Charter, Administrative Code provisions, federal and state laws and regulations, Internal Revenue Code, and employee benefits programs; policies and procedures related to workers’ compensation, organizations, such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Social Security, Franchise Tax Board, and trends governing defined benefit plans or defined contribution plans; processes and procedures, such as benefits calculations and benefits counseling techniques; data processing, such as Microsoft Excel, and computer-based systems’ capabilities as they relate to benefits and/or pension administration functions and objectives; and other necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities.

Candidates will be notified later by e-mail of the date, time, and location of the interview, which may be held in Los Angeles or on-line.

NOTICE:

Test dates may be postponed in order to help protect the safety of our candidates and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Candidates will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles Personnel Department if the anticipated test dates are postponed. 

1. This examination is based on a validation study, and as provided by Civil Service Commission Rule 4.20, the multiple-choice test will not be subject to candidate inspection. 

2. As a covered entity under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. To request a disability accommodation, please complete the Disability Accommodation Form within 14 calendar days of the submittal of the City application. The Disability Accommodation Form can be obtained at http://per.lacity.org/exams/verify_disability.pdf (Download PDF reader). 

3. Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.

4. A final average score of 70% in the interview portion of the examination is required to be placed on the eligible list.

5. Seniority credit at the rate of 0.25 of a point for each year of continuous classified City service in those classes which provide qualifying experience for this class will be added to the weighted test score of each candidate.

6. In conjunction with Civil Service rules, applicants who have received a regular appointment to a City position or are on a reserve list will be considered Promotional candidates while all other applicants will be considered Open candidates.

7. The promotional list will ordinarily be used ahead of the open competitive. However, if open competitive candidates receive a higher score, without military credits, than the highest available promotional candidate, after adding seniority credit at a rate of 0.25 of a point for each year of continuous classified City service in a qualifying classification, the Civil Service Commission, upon request of the appointing authority, may approve certification of such open competitive candidates ahead of the promotional candidates.

Notice:

If you receive and accept an offer of employment to a regular position with the City of Los Angeles, your employee benefit coverage (including health and dental coverage as well as life insurance) will commence approximately six weeks after your original regular appointment. Not all positions in the City receive benefit coverage; you should inquire regarding the availability of employee benefits prior to accepting a position. All City employees are required to be Disaster Service Workers.

THIS EXAMINATION IS TO BE GIVEN BOTH ON AN
INTERDEPARTMENTAL PROMOTIONAL AND AN OPEN COMPETITIVE BASIS

The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition (cancer), or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

For additional information and FAQs regarding the City's hiring process, please go to: http://per.lacity.org/index.cfm?content=employmenttestingprocess