Benefits Lead

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GENERAL SUMMARY

Responsible for the overall administration of Energy Northwest’s benefits programs. Lead the design, communication, implementation and administration of the benefits programs while ensuring compliance with all applicable state and federal laws.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Responsible for the oversight of the administration of group benefit programs (PEBB medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, FSAs, 401(k), 457(b), PERS pension plans, leave plans, HRA VEBA, et al.).

• Provide insight and leadership to the Benefits Specialist and other HR staff.

• Provide analysis and insight to senior management, labor negotiations, and other key stakeholders.

• Determine proper course of action to resolve escalated internal customer service issues.

• Serve as primary point-of-contact for auditors and evaluators on benefits data requests (SAO, 401(k), Annual Report, OPEB, et al.).

• Serve as the staff point-of-contact to prepare 401(k) administrative committee meeting materials and pay invoices for plan audits, fiduciary services, etc.

• Forecast trends and recommend benefit program changes to senior management, labor relations, and/or the benefits committee. Lead the implementation of changes.

• Research and proactively ensure compliance with benefits policies, federal and state employment laws and statutes. Review changes in laws affecting benefits and provide analyses of impact on programs, policies, and practices. Recommend implementation strategies to ensure compliance.

• Prepare and communicate information to employees about benefit programs, procedures, processes, changes, and relevant government legislation. Promote awareness, understanding, and appreciation of programs using available resources such as SharePoint, orientation, EN News, committee meetings, etc.

• Manages special projects and may train employees on various topics.

Manage the benefit programs including benefits renewals, carrier contracts, contract funding, open enrollment, flex dollar values, ACA, IRS limits, etc.

• Work closely with benefits broker to obtain annual premiums and examine possible plan design and/or benefit cost changes.

• Compile data and prepare comprehensive reports and analyses in support of the annual Benefits Committee meeting.

• Annually present contract values and EN’s cost to the Executive Board.

• Facilitate annual voting process for VEBA retiree population.

• Author and update internal plan documents, and review carrier documents and contracts for accuracy and completeness.

• Assist with EN’s recognition programs as requested.

Other Responsibilities:

Work with HRIS staff to ensure that the HRIS system meets benefits needs and is updated to reflect changes to annual threshold limits, rate changes, and plan designs.

Ensure recordkeeping requirements are met and filing systems are maintained in an orderly fashion. Maintain accurate and current desktop procedures of all assigned processes.

Must participate on the Emergency Response team (ERO) when designated.

Must support the biennial refueling outage.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Computer Sciences, or a related field and five years of exempt level experience in Human Resources with in-depth exposure in benefits;  

• OR an Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university and seven years of exempt level experience in Human Resources with in-depth exposure in benefits;

• OR a high school diploma or GED and ten years combined exempt level experience in Human Resources with in-depth exposure in benefits.

Pay Range

Midpoint:

Typically, selected candidates are hired between the minimum and midpoint of the range, based on applicable experience and qualifications, market rate, internal equity, and budgetary allowances.

Offers will be negotiated based on each candidate's qualifications.

Incentive Compensation

This role may be eligible to participate in our annual incentive plan. Incentives are earned based on employee performance against defined metrics and company goals.

Benefits

Energy Northwest (EN) offers a highly competitive and substantial benefits package which allows qualifying employees (and their families) to enroll in medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance.  Other voluntary benefits may include flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, supplemental life insurances, credit monitoring, and identity theft insurance. EN offers three retirement programs to qualifying employees including a matching 401(k) deferred compensation plan, the Washington State Pension Plan (PERS), and a 457(b) savings plan. Qualifying employees will also accrue 160 hours of personal time per year and nine paid holidays throughout the calendar year.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate due to race, color, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, national origin, veteran status or on the basis of disability.

EEO is the law, click here to learn more.