Benefits Administrator

NW Natural • Happy Valley, OR

3d • $74,800 - $126,350 • Hybrid

About The Position

At NW Natural, we offer more than rewarding career opportunities and a vibrant, inclusive work culture. We invite you to join us in providing safe and reliable utility services and renewable energy to better the lives of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be the leader in service excellence, innovation and environmental stewardship for our customers, while building on our strengths as a trusted energy provider and environmental leader for our industry. In addition to environmental stewardship, we’re also deeply committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at NW Natural. Our DEI Council started 21 years ago, and today we continue to foster a culture where all employees can experience a sense of belonging, shared purpose and possibility. Employees based at our Headquarters are required to work on-site a minimum of two days per week. Specific in‑office days may vary by team and business needs. This hybrid schedule supports collaboration, connection, and engagement while also offering flexibility for remote work.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in employee benefits administration. Level 3 requires 5 or more years of progressively responsible benefits experience with demonstrated subject matter expertise.
• Proven knowledge of employee benefits programs, administration processes, and applicable regulations.
• Demonstrated experience with healthcare billing and eligibility management.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, cross-functional environment and communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to resolve complex and sensitive issues with professionalism, sound judgment, diplomacy, and discretion.
• Demonstrated customer focus with the ability to balance and respond to the needs of employees, retirees, vendors, and business partners.
• Customer service skills, including the ability to successfully manage conflict and negotiate positive outcomes.
• Positive, adaptable, and collaborative interpersonal style.
• Written communication skills, including experience preparing reports, correspondence, meeting minutes, and employee communications.
• Excellent attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy, organization, and follow-through.
• Research, data collection, data analysis, and reporting skills.
• Demonstrated problem-solving abilities, including proactively identifying issues and implementing effective solutions.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and effectively coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive employee information with discretion.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience with internet-based research and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS). SAP experience is strongly preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with state leave laws and leave administration practices.
• Experience supporting defined benefit pension plans.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a knowledgeable benefits resource for employees and retirees by responding to benefit-related inquiries by phone, email, or in person, including questions that require research, follow-up, and coordination with internal partners or vendors.
• Provide employees with the necessary materials and information to add or remove dependents from benefit plans.
• Support new hire and employee transfer orientations by providing benefit materials and following up to ensure benefit elections are completed through the benefits portal.
• Assist with annual open enrollment activities and employee benefit communications.
• Assist with the administration of the Wellness Program, including developing benefit communications and newsletters, and coordinating wellness initiatives such as flu shot clinics and employee education sessions.
• Send COBRA notices to non-bargaining unit employees.
• Reconcile monthly COBRA payments and issue related notices as needed.
• Communicate with insurance carriers, third-party administrators, and benefit vendors as needed.
• Process and reconcile Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution files against vendor records for each payroll.
• Manage end-to-end accommodation requests and communications, including intake, documentation, tracking, and interactive process coordination; partner with managers and Leave Administrator on complex cases; ensure ADA/state compliance and maintain confidential, accurate records with escalation as needed.
• Reconcile and process payment of monthly benefit vendor invoices.
• Support Payroll during payroll processing by monitoring and tracking benefit deductions that require manual administration.
• Enter, update, and maintain employee benefit data in the SAP Human Resources Information System (HRIS).
• Perform audits and reconciliations of benefit billings; maintain benefit records via SharePoint.
• Assist with benefit-related tasks, projects, and special assignments as requested.
• Support the Company's commitment to a culture of safe work practices.
• Provide backup to the HRIT team for reporting and inputting employee transactions.

Benefits

• Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution
• Free access to an online wellness resources platform
• Up to 23 Vacation Days
• 80 Hours of Sick Time
• 10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays
• Flexible work arrangements
• 3 weeks paid parental leave
• Be part of a workplace where your voice matters. Engage with our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, and a variety of Employee Resource Groups that support community and growth.
• 1500 sq foot exercise facility and secure bike room
• Meaningful annual incentive bonus opportunity in addition to base salary
• Competitive 401K company contribution and match
• 15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement
• Wellness incentive program
• 20% off natural gas service
• Up to 30% discount at NW Natural Appliance Center
• TriMet Pass for all HQ employees
• Generous discounts with Verizon & AT&T Wireless

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level