Administers Santa Cruz METRO's multi-tiered benefits and retirement programs in accordance with plan provisions and in compliance with local, state, and federal laws, Santa Cruz METRO policies and procedures, and labor contracts, including contract review and renewal, negotiating premium rates, and ensuring vendor effectiveness and competitiveness; monitors eligibility, limitations, and restrictions of plan participation; processes enrollments and withdrawals; calculates and determines benefits; collaborates with Finance/Payroll on benefits related financial matters such as reconciling invoices, identifying and resolving billing discrepancies, and ensuring timely processing of pension andinsurance payments, fees, and reimbursements; works with Payroll to ensure accurate reflection of benefits deductions in payroll, audits payroll reports for accuracy, and ensures compliance with labor agreements (MOUs); analyzes changes to MOUs and ensures proper integration into benefits programs and HR systems researches and analyzes benefit plan changes and employee data, conducts surveys, and prepares various reports and statements; develops, evaluates, and revises program components and processes; implements new benefits programs; facilitates and participates in external audits. Participates in administering Santa Cruz METRO's workers' compensation program by monitoring cases from inception to final disposition, reviewing and processing workers' compensation claim forms and related documentation, preparing and maintaining documentation and records, and acting as a liaison with other departments, workers' compensation claims administrator, insurance carriers, contractors, and others; assists in preparing the workers' compensation budget by monitoring claim payments and other administrative expenses and auditing, reviewing, adjusting, and preparing statements from workers' compensation contractors and providers.