Healthcare Benefits Strategy & Analytics Coordinator

Healthcare Benefits Strategy & Analytics Coordinator

Salary

$99,336.00 - $120,744.00 Annually

Location

City of Bellingham, WA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

26-Healthcare Benefits Coord.

Department

Human Resources

Opening Date

07/02/2026

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

Eteam

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Nature of Work

Are you excited by the challenge of transforming healthcare benefits through data, strategy, and community partnerships? We're looking for a Healthcare Benefits Strategy & Analytics Coordinator to join our Human Resources department who can turn insights into action-helping us reduce costs, improve plan performance, and empower employees to make informed healthcare decisions. In this role, your work directly shapes how our workforce accesses and experiences care. Apply today!

JOB SUMMARY:

The Healthcare Benefits Strategy & Analytics Coordinator is responsible for analyzing the City's employee healthcare benefits data, evaluating cost drivers, and developing strategic opportunities to manage and reduce costs while maintaining or improving quality of care.

This role works to identify alternative care options, improve healthcare navigation and develop partnerships with community-based organizations and healthcare providers to expand access to cost effective services and wellness resources for employees.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?

Joining the City of Bellingham means becoming a part of a team that believes our greatest impact comes from working together with purpose, humility and a shared commitment to our community. Every employee contributes to delivering meaningful results for the people who live, work and visit here. We value people who approach challenges with curiosity, respect and collaboration. If you are motivated by building a career in public service, we encourage you to apply.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The current full salary range for this position is $8,278/month - $10,062/month. Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the E-Team Handbook and City policy.

The City places new employees within the published salary range based on qualifications and professional experience as listed on the application material, in accordance with City policy. Candidates who exceed the minimum experience requirements shall be given credit for advanced step placement at the rate of one additional pay step for each two full years of directly related or equivalent professional experience beyond the minimum requirements. Candidates who meet minimum qualifications or have experience that is not directly related or in a lower-level position will be placed at step one in the salary range. For positions that require a bachelor's degree, one additional step may be granted for applicants with a master's degree in a related field when the master's degree is not required to meet minimum qualifications. The Citys HR Department regularly evaluates minimum qualifications to provide equitable employment opportunities.

For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here's a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 13.33 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 40 hours of sick leave upon hire + 8 hours accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation savings plan and 401(a) Retirement Savings Plan with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

• This position is open until filled with a first review on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 4:30 pm. The position may be closed at any time following the first review.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

Benefits Analysis and Cost Management

• Analyzes health care and pharmacy utilization/engagement metrics, claims data, and cost trends to identify key drivers of expenses.
• Evaluates existing health plans and recommends cost containment strategies without compromising quality.
• Prepares detailed reports, forecasts and presentations for leadership and stakeholders.
• Monitors vendor performance including insurance carriers, third party administrators, pharmacy benefit managers and wellness providers.
• Supports contract negotiations with benefits providers through data-driven insights.

Program Development and Strategy

• Designs and implements initiatives aimed at reducing/containing health care costs such as wellness programs, preventative care incentives and telehealth utilization.
• Assesses effectiveness of current programs and recommends improvements.
• Identifies opportunities to expand access to cost effective healthcare options and reduce reliance on high-cost providers.
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

Coordination

• Identifies and establishes partnerships to support strategies to reduce healthcare costs, including with local healthcare providers, third-party administrators, nonprofits, community-based organizations and other similar entities.
• Coordinates access to community-based services such as mental health support, chronic disease management, and preventative care programs.
• Promotes alternative options that reduce reliance on high-cost services, such as the utilization of urgent care instead of emergency room usage.
• Serves as a liaison between employees, providers, and community resources.

Employee Engagement and Education

• Educates employees about benefits, cost saving options, and available community resources.
• Conducts workshops, seminars, and outreach campaigns to encourage informed healthcare decisions.
• Provides guidance to employees on navigating health care options including promoting use of high-value services.

Data and Reporting

• Analyzes data and develops reports. Tracks key performance indicators related to healthcare costs and outcomes.
• Tracks and evaluate the effectiveness of cost-containment initiatives.
• Ensures data integrity and confidentiality.
• Tracks ROI of cost containment resulting from initiatives.
• Develops models of the potential financial impact of proposed strategies.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:

• Performs other related duties of a similar nature or level.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is primarily performed in a standard office setting subject to frequent interruptions and includes remaining stationery for extended periods of time. The work requires occasional off-site meetings. There will be occasional overnight travel to conferences and training sessions. This is a sedentary position with minimal physical exertion requirements.

Physical ability to perform essential functions of the job including:

• Operate a computer and other office equipment such as a keyboard, mouse, phone and fax machine;
• Remain stationary for long periods of time;
• Frequently communicate accurate information and ideas with others;
• Move between work sites;
• Occasionally transport items weighing up to 25 lbs.

Experience and Training

• Bachelor's degree in public health, health administration, business administration or related field.
• Four years of work experience in healthcare analytics and employee benefits management.
• Demonstrated work experience in analysis of healthcare claims data and benefits design.
• Experience with municipal or public sector benefits administration preferred.
• Background in population health or wellness program design preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position will be considered.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Employment contingent on passing a criminal background check (see Fair Hiring Practices below).
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule with occasional evening or weekend work to attend meetings.
• Work is performed primarily in-person. This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement of up to two days per week after satisfying an initial training and orientation period.

Selection Process

You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along

Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and supplemental questions). Application materials should comprehensively document your experience and skills related to the position responsibilities and experience/training requirements. As part of the City's commitment to reducing bias in the hiring process, Human Resources redacts personally identifiable information for reviewers. Only the documents listed as required will be reviewed.

Interviews for the most qualified candidates are tentatively scheduled for August 4, 2026. Invitations to participate in the Interview process will be sent via e-mail on or around July 24, 2026.

Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.

Equal Opportunity:

The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individuals race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicants criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.

There are many good reasons for working at the City of Bellingham. The work is rewarding and you have an opportunity to serve your community. Another good reason is the great benefits that the City offers its employees. See our benefits section for additional information.

This position is unrepresented. Specific benefit information including Holidays, Vacation Accruals, Health, Dental and Vision Plans with cost sharing and Deferred Compensation Match can be found in the E-Team Handbook.

This position is covered by the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems PERS plan. PERS requires mandatory employee and City contributions. Please visit the DRS website for more information on PERS.

01

Thank you for your interest in this position at the City of Bellingham! To ensure a consistent review, only the City of Bellingham job application and required supplemental documents will be reviewed. Cover letters and resumes are not reviewed unless they are required as part of the process. When applying for this position, you must thoroughly complete each section of your application, and provide a thorough response to each of the supplemental questions. Please do not indicate "see resume" or copy content that is unrelated to the position being applied for from your resume when answering these questions.

Have you read and understood the information listed above?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a Bachelor's degree in public health, health administration, business administration or related field?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have four (4) years of work experience in healthcare analytics and employee benefits management?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have demonstrated work experience in analysis of healthcare claims data and benefits design?

• Yes
• No

05

Describe in detail your education and experience, or combination of education/experience that provides you the necessary skills, knowledge and abilities to perform this role. [Note: this must also be reflected on your application under Education and Work Experience.]

06

The following qualifications are preferred. Please select all that apply to your experience.

• I have experience with municipal or public sector benefits administration.
• I have a background in population health or wellness program design.
• I do not have any of the preferred qualifications and understand this will not disqualify my application.

07

Are you willing and able to work a flexible schedule with occasional evening or weekend work to attend meetings?

• Yes
• No

08

Describe a time when you identified an opportunity to reduce costs in an employee benefits program or another complex organizational system. In detail, explain what steps you took to analyze the issue, engage stakeholders, and implement a meaningful solution? What was the outcome?

09

Tell us about what strategies you would use to identify more cost effective or higher value care option for a population. Historically, what processes have you used and what impact have they had?

Required Question

Employer City of Bellingham

Address 104 West Magnolia Street

Bellingham, Washington, 98225

Phone 360-778-8220

Website http://www.cob.org/employment