Iris Cabrera
Gardena,CA
Summary
Results-driven Benefits Analyst with over 9 years of experience in benefits administration, dedicated to facilitating seamless open enrollment and managing qualifying events for employees. Demonstrates a deep understanding of employee benefits laws and regulations, ensuring compliance and optimal support for all stakeholders. Recognized for a composed demeanor and strong collaborative skills, consistently contributing to team success while enhancing employee satisfaction. Committed to leveraging expertise to create efficient processes that empower employees in navigating benefits options.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Employee Health & Welfare Benefits Analyst
Torrance Unified School District
09.2019 - Current
- Hours per week: 40 Supervises benefits specialists to administer health and welfare benefits to over 2,800 employees and over 800 retirees. Provides information and guidance to employees and retirees on the various health plans available. Processes eligible benefits changes and enrollments for current and new hires, as well as retirees based on federally-mandated qualifying event guidelines. Assists employees and dependents enrolling for COBRA coverage. Oversees the benefits team in conducting routine internal audits to ensure that processes and benefits implementation are in compliance with health insurance guidelines including Section 125 Plan rules as well as the District's board policies, different bargaining units or union groups. Before every annual open enrollment, analyzes current enrollment processes for enhancement, reviews, proofreads benefits materials for accuracy and ease of understanding without compromising critical information. Conducts open enrollment with the team and oversees team members to ensure smooth operation, including dependent verification audits. Reconciles reports for accuracy in plans, tiers, rates, deductions and eligibility dates. Develops excel spreadsheets to enhance efficiency of reconciling data from various sources, decreasing payroll and reporting errors from approximately 10% to 1%. Supervises and assists the team with billing and reconciliation for plan vendors, as well as union dues deductions and contributions for 403B, 457B and ROTH. Acts as liaison between District employees and carriers to clarify any deduction, billing or eligibility discrepancies and arrive with timely resolution. Assists and provides guidance to new and current retirees with their retiree health plan enrollment. Acts as liaison between the District and ACA vendor to comply with ACA guidelines, process and complete the 1095 forms and IRS filing. Provides training to new team members on the daily operations of the department to fulfill its role in the District. Provides feedback to the department Manager on the teams' performance to assist her with employee evaluation reports during probation and performance reviews. Reports directly to the Health & Welfare Benefits Manager, provides assistance and completes any assigned special projects.
Employee Health & Welfare Benefits Specialist
Torrance Unified School District
06.2017 - 09.2019
- Hours per week: 40 Assisted in administering health and welfare benefits for all active and retired employees of Torrance Unified School District for over 2,800 employees, both active, employees on leave and on COBRA, as well as benefits for over 800 retirees. Was in charge of billing and reconciliation of vendor invoices, as well as employee deductions for union dues, credit union savings and TSA contributions. Provided guidance and information to employees on the health plans and assisted them in enrollments and/or making eligible changes to their benefits. Was highly involved yearly to prepare for open enrollments, including updating/improving our health plan and open enrollment materials. Assisted to enroll employees and made elected changes during open enrollment. Built and implemented a spreadsheet to conduct monthly crosschecking of data including plan names, tiers, deduction/contribution amounts benefits program database for accuracy. This significantly increased payroll and billing accuracy from approximately 85 to 95%. Processed mid-year employee benefit changes based on federally mandated guidelines and policies.
International Payroll Associate
CTS Global, Inc.
05.2016 - 06.2017
- Hours per week: 40 Solely managed all payroll functions, serving as primary point of contact for corporate staff, U.S. consultants, and foreign nationals. Processed timesheets, leave requests, wire payments, and monthly payslips; reviewed and approved payroll registers for accuracy; and audited payroll and timekeeping records. Prepared employment and compensation verifications; monitored cost depletion reports and reported discrepancies; verified work authorization and identification for new hires; and ensured strict confidentiality of all employee information.
Private Duty Licensed Vocational Nurse
Chelsea's Home Health Care
09.2015 - 03.2016
- Hours per week: 30 Conduct head-to-toe assessments each shift; monitor and document vital signs, services rendered, and changes in condition; and promptly report abnormalities to caregivers, nurses, or physicians. Administer medications as prescribed and evaluate effectiveness. Assist with activities of daily living while ensuring patient comfort and safety. Maintain accurate medical, insurance, and demographic records; verify orders with medical providers; and safeguard all patient information in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
Payroll Agent / General Cashier
Doubletree by Hilton Torrance / South Bay
01.2008 - 02.2016
- Hours per week: 40 Supported achievement of annual financial goals through independent ownership of payroll, cash handling, and audit functions with minimal supervision. Corrected and documented timekeeping discrepancies; coordinated with department managers on labor hours; and successfully resolved approximately 90% of chargebacks through detailed case research and documentation. As Payroll Agent, processed bi-weekly payroll for ~130 employees; reconciled punches, adjustments, and benefits; maintained secure payroll records in ADP and Kronos; prepared payroll, PTO, insurance, and month-end reports; and ensured strict confidentiality of employee data. As General Cashier, managed petty cash and daily receipts; processed deposits, wire transfers, and allowances; investigated cash discrepancies; conducted house bank audits; trained staff on cashiering procedures; and supported audits and close processes. Additional duties included posting payments, resolving client inquiries, assisting HR with confidential records and applicant communications, and providing Filipino language translation while maintaining confidentiality.
Income Auditor
Hilton Torrance / South Bay
12.2007 - 07.2008
- Hours per week: 40 Provided feedback and support to cross-departmental staff to correct reporting discrepancies, contributing to accurate accounting records and successful annual audits. As Income Auditor, entered and audited daily and monthly revenue from all departments; reconciled sales, credit card transactions, and bank statements; prepared management spreadsheets; supported month-end close; investigated and resolved posting discrepancies; trained staff on audit procedures; conducted inventory counts; and assisted the Controller with audits and special projects.
Education
Technical or occupational certificate - Vocational Nursing
Homestead Schools
Torrance, CA02-2015
Bachelor's degree - Communication Arts
Miriam College
Quezon City, Philippines11-2000
Skills
- Employee relations
- Microsoft Excel
- Benefits administration
- New employee enrollment
- Written and oral communication
- Benefits explanation
- Employee benefits practices
- Open enrollment
- Proficient in: HRS/LLL/Labor (LACOE platforms), NeoGov, Enrollment Solutions (SAI), Smartetools, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace apps
- Hand-on experience with payroll systems such as On-Q, Micros, LodgeNet, Kronos Time Clock System, ADP Workforce Now Payroll System, Ceridian Payroll System
Language skills
English Spoken: Intermediate | Written: Intermediate | Read: Intermediate Tagalog Spoken: Intermediate | Written: Intermediate | Read: Intermediate
Timeline
Employee Health & Welfare Benefits Analyst
Torrance Unified School District
09.2019 - Current
Employee Health & Welfare Benefits Specialist
Torrance Unified School District
06.2017 - 09.2019
International Payroll Associate
CTS Global, Inc.
05.2016 - 06.2017
Private Duty Licensed Vocational Nurse
Chelsea's Home Health Care
09.2015 - 03.2016
Payroll Agent / General Cashier
Doubletree by Hilton Torrance / South Bay
01.2008 - 02.2016
Income Auditor
Hilton Torrance / South Bay
12.2007 - 07.2008
Bachelor's degree - Communication Arts
Miriam College
Technical or occupational certificate - Vocational Nursing
Homestead Schools