HR Benefits Specialist

Flathead Electric Cooperative • Kalispell, MT

11h • $74,672 - $91,707 • Onsite

About The Position

Serves as the primary contact for NRECA’s benefits plans, serving as FEC’s Benefits Administrator, and administers all aspects of employee health and retirement plans to include medical/dental/vision, 401(k), RS Plan, short-term and long-term disability insurance claims, leaves of absence, flexible spending, and any other employee benefits. Acts as a liaison between employee and insurance providers. Working with the HR Generalist, manages content and security of human resources and personnel files.

Coordinates internal communication with all employees, and administers the FEC wellness program by supporting employee wellness initiatives, and actively supporting and organizing employee community service projects. Serves as a backup for the HR Generalist and performs those essential functions as needed and provides administrative support to the Member Services and HR Manager.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in human resource management, business or a related field required. Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 3 years in employee benefits administration human resources, management, or other position requiring confidentiality and involving employment law, insurance and/or compliance with laws and regulations, preferably in a union setting. Education and/or certifications may be taken into consideration in lieu of experience.
• Proficient on computer, including Microsoft Office 365, and be proficient with online performance evaluation systems, talent acquisition and testing systems, and training platforms.
• Valid Montana Driver’s License and be insurable to drive FEC vehicles.
• Present a professional appearance at all times.
• Able to work 40 hours per week with additional time as needed.
• Be a team player with effective verbal and written skills.
• Able to travel occasionally out-of-area and/or overnight.
• Exhibit excellent member relations and customer service skills.
• Legible handwriting.
• Possess proven ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Consistently meet deadlines, budgets and work on projects simultaneously.
• Be or become involved in professional, community and industry related activities.
• Be organized, accurate and exercise strong attention to detail.
• Must have critical thinking skills; be autonomous and self-driven; be able to work well independently and with others; and must exercise good judgment.
• Able to establish and maintain working relationships with a variety of individuals, some of whom have opposing points of view.
• Possess proven ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to handle difficult situations.

Nice To Haves

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, CEBS, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Represent the HR Department with accurate and timely responses to employees and management and with awareness of confidentiality and compliance.
• Contribute to the development and execution of the organization’s overarching strategic plan.
• Maintain the highest standards of confidentiality by safeguarding sensitive matters and confidential documents with discretion and integrity.
• Support the implementation and execution of all FEC policies and plans, including but not limited to the Pandemic Response Plan, Emergency Response Plan, Employee Emergency Action Plan, and Physical Security Plan.
• Prepare correspondence and reports and compose summaries for department board reports as requested by management.
• Assist in the drafting of the annual budget for the HR department, effectively identifying opportunities for optimizing resouce allocation, streamlining processes, and driving cost efficiencies.
• When requested, assist FEC management regarding labor relations, including but not limited to collective bargaining, grievance resolution and contract interpretation.
• Serve as the primary contact for NRECA’s benefits plans, serving as FEC’s Benefits Administrator, including performing all onboarding and offboarding procedures including COBRA benefits.
• Administer all aspects of employee health and retirement plans to include medical/dental/vision, 401(k), RS Plan, short-term and long-term disability insurance claims, leaves of absence, flexible spending, tuition reimbursement, and any other employee benefits.
• Onboard and offboard all employees relative to benefit plans.
• Prepare and maintain benefits records pursuant to administrative policy GM 610.
• Distribute benefits information to employees, retirees, trustees, COBRA participants and long-term disability participants to remain compliant with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Keep the payroll department abreast of all employee compensation and benefits changes.
• Administer employee’s FMLA related leaves of absence ensuring compliance with all state and federal regulations.
• Keep supervisors and Management informed of employee disability, medical and other needed leaves of absence, return to work dates, and applicable work restrictions.
• Stay up-to-date on all NRECA benefits changes and compliance deadlines, reading publications from NRECA and attending conferences as approved by supervisor.
• Working closely with the HR Generalist, assist to create and maintain personnel files and employee forms pursuant to Administrative Policy GM 610 (Records Retention), including personnel files, benefits and other employee records.
• Actively support and collaborate with the HR Generalist to collect, organize, and transmit data pertaining to Affirmative Action Plans and Annual Pay Equity, including EEO-1 and Vets-4212.
• Actively support and collaborate with the Payroll Administrator to collect, organize and transmit data concerning employee benefits for compensation surveys and compliance requirements.
• Administer FEC’s Wellness Program including wellness activities attractive to the diverse set of employees and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Coordinate the NRECA FutureMe program, annual wellness screenings, and other wellness initiatives.
• Work closely with the Payroll Administrator to ensure accurate reporting of employee incentives, and ensure all reporting is done in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Assist in preparing communications to employees from the HR Department and Management team.
• Develop employee retention initiatives as they relate to training programs, events, or random rewards.
• Plan and organize employee events, such as new hire and retiree functions, blood drives, food drives, or other employee/community service projects.
• In the absence of the HR Generalist, perform the HR Generalist’s essential functions as needed to support employees and Cooperative programs, processes and compliance.
• Provide administrative support to the Member Service and HR Manager.
• Assist members/vendors/employees and the general public in a courteous and professional manner ensuring their continued satisfaction with FEC.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management applying the same skill and enthusiasm as with regularly assigned responsibilities.

Benefits

• Flathead Electric provides competitive pay, exceptional benefits including a retirement plan, a matching 401K, and generous health/dental/vision/disability insurance.
• Flathead Electric provides on the job training and offers an education reimbursement program for those employees wishing to better their education to pursue opportunities at our Co-op.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree