Benefits Analyst
San Francisco, California • Full Time
Posted on Thu, Jun 4, 2026
Job Summary:
The Benefits Analyst independently uses UC Group Insurance Plan Regulations, University of California Retirement Plan (UCRP) Plan Regulations, Summary Plan Descriptions and federal and state legislation to provide consultation and resolve, often complex, health welfare and retirement plan problems; provides guidance to HR Generalists, Academic Personnel Analysts, UCPath Center, RASC, & UCOP representatives, and departmental representatives in support of this function. Functions with a high degree of autonomy and may serve as a benefits expert on campus level work groups and task forces.
Under minimal supervision, this position serves as an experienced benefits analyst for the UCSF Benefits Office. Activities include: providing consultation to employees and their dependents, Academic Personnel Analysts, HR Generalists, UCPath representatives, payroll administrators, managers, and supervisors, on UC Health & Welfare Plans and UCRP. The analyst engages with UCPath, RASC, UCOP, departments, and key liaisons to resolve complex and escalated problems related to employee eligibility and enrollment. Coordinating with HR, Payroll, the UCPath Center, the Retirement Administration Service Center (RASC), and the UC Office of the President (UCOP) to analyze and resolve complex and escalated issues related to UCRP retirement coding and service credit accrual; providing retirement counseling services, UCRP disability counseling and administration; providing and consulting on service credit buyback estimates; serves on a team to provide education such as New Employee Orientations, new employee benefits consultations, and ad hoc presentations on Health, Welfare and UCRP benefits programs; creates and provides training to HR Teammates, departments, and benefits teammates alike.
Department Summary:
The UCSF Benefits Office is responsible for the local administration of the University of California Retirement System and Health and Welfare Benefit Programs across the UCSF enterprise. In addition to providing benefits consulting services to UCSF faculty and staff across Health & Campus, the UCSF Benefits Office also provides services and administers unique benefits programs dedicated to postdocs and residents/fellows. Clients supported by the UCSF Benefits Office total approximately 35,000 FTE employees (and their dependents):
• Total UCSF Faculty and Staff (Health & Campus): approximately 30,900
• UCSF Residents/Clinical Fellows: approximately 1,900
• UCSF Postdoctoral Scholars: approximately 1,200
Responsibilities
% of time | Essential Function (Yes/No) | Key Responsibilities (To be completed by Supervisor) |
| 60 | Yes | Consultation/Counseling: Serves as the primary contact for faculty and staff under a specific group of client departments; direct client base ranges from 4500+ employees and their family members. Cases are often complex and highly sensitive and require a high degree of confidentiality, diplomacy, and independent judgement. In some cases an employee may be facing serious significant financial stresses or facing a life threatening illness. Counseling includes but/not limited to retirement, disability, survivor benefits, and eligibility and enrollment. Consultation supports employees in making lifetime decisions that have significant financial impact and irrevocable outcomes. Regularly works with the UCPath Center, the Retirement Administration Service Center , the UC Office of the President to resolve routine as well as complex benefits related issues. Policy/Procedure Analysis, Interpretation, Implementation and Problem Resolution: Analyzes routine and complex non-routine cases where there or may not be precedent to resolve the problem; uses well-honed knowledge to interpret and apply a wide range of UC policies, plan policies and state/federal laws. Independently coordinates with HR partners, the UCPath Center, the Controller’s office and Office of the President experts and others to make final recommendation on the most appropriate action. |
| 20 | Yes | Administration/Compliance/Special Projects: May be responsible for the administration of compliance functions, specialty insurance programs, initiating and maintaining content on the benefits website, specialized Open Enrollment services, developing responsible AI Tool adoption, and other duties as assigned. Works in a collaborative manner with others across the organization to prioritize and complete multiple assignments on time. Provides guidance to employees regarding benefit programs, policies, and procedures, as well as input on UCSF Benefits Office inittiatives and projects. |
| 10 | Yes | Education/Training: Independently creates and delivers training including/but not limited to New Employee Orientations (NEO), the University of CA Retirement Plan (UCRP), HR General Benefits Orientation, and Open Enrollment. May provide training to HR professionals and benefits teammates. Independently creates and publishes articles to provide just in time education and information to diverse audiences regarding changes to the Health and Welfare Plans, UCRP and the Retirement Savings Plans. Effectively communicates the impact of new legislation/regulations, including the ACA on health insurance structure and benefits. |
| 10 | Yes | Client Relations Management Database: Independently enters all inquiries into CRM (currently Oracle HCM) and actively manages cases that require follow-up including entering case notes on all activity. Ensures all cases are tracked timely and efficiently. UCSF Benefits Office Representation: Serves on special or ad hoc committees, task forces and workgroups that require a benefits analyst, i.e. UC Path, Affordable Care Act (ACA), leave administration, etc. and performs other duties as assigned. |
| 100% | (To update total %, enter the amount of time in whole numbers (without the % symbol - e.g., 15, 20) then highlight the total sum (e.g., 1%) at the bottom of the column and press F9. The total sum should add up to 100%.) |
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in related area and 3+ years of benefits administration experience and / or equivalent experience / training.
- Strong analytical skills to conduct analysis and develop recommendations, demonstrating organization and problem-solving skills.
- Strong in-depth knowledge of organization policies and procedures; knowledge of functional area and understands how work may impact other areas
- Comprehensive knowledge of the organization's employee benefits function and programs and can address unique circumstances as well as routine situations
- Demonstrated strong writing, speaking, and group presentation skills in order to present information in a clear and concise manner to multiple levels in the organization
- In-depth knowledge of all benefits programs in order to provide information and interpretation
- In-depth knowledge of applicable state and federal law
- Strong knowledge of and ability to interpret, apply and provide consultation on the UC Group Insurance Plan Regulations, UCRP Plan Regulations, federal and state legislation and campus and system-wide practices that govern health welfare and retirement benefits
- Direct knowledge of HR information systems and system-wide database management systems (such as UCPath, ROOTS, Oracle HCM)
- Direct knowledge of HR information systems and system-wide database management systems, such as UCPath & ROOTS
- Strong knowledge of the University Retirement System for all membership classes, including retirement income, UCRP disability and survivor benefits
- Proven track record of working in a highly collaborative manner at all levels across the organization
- Ability to provide counseling and assist employees in clearly understanding and navigating their benefits choices
- Proven ability to use a variety of software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and web based software, etc.
- Willingness to learn, adopt, and use AI tools safely and responsibly in support of benefits casework, research, and service delivery
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong in-depth knowledge of organization policies and procedures; knowledge of functional area and understands how work may impact other areas
- Comprehensive knowledge of the organization's employee benefits function and programs and can address unique circumstances as well as routine situations
- Strong knowledge of and ability to interpret, apply and provide consultation on the UC Group Insurance Plan Regulations, UCRP Plan Regulations, federal and state legislation and campus and system-wide practices that govern health welfare and retirement benefits
- Direct knowledge of HR information systems and system-wide database management systems, such as UCPath & ROOTS
- Strong knowledge of the University Retirement System for all membership classes, including retirement income, UCRP disability and survivor benefits