Benefits Technician at Bering Straits Native Corporation

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SUMMARY

Under general supervision, the Benefits Technician performs a variety of complex technical, clerical, and administrative tasks to support all aspects of employee benefits administration. The Benefits Technician assists in the day-to-day maintenance of employee benefits programs, including enrollment, terminations, retirement processing, workplace wellness, data collection and records maintenance. The Benefits Technician also serves as an informational resource in the Human Resources area to internal and external customers.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Essential Duties and Responsibilities are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed for this position, and are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job. Other duties may be assigned.

• Perform complex technical, clerical, and administrative duties in support of the Human Resources programs in areas of employee insurance and other employee benefit programs.
• Processes and maintains health, dental, vision, accidental death and dismemberment, basic life, voluntary life insurance, critical illness, group accident, 401(k) plan transactions, and legally mandated benefit information, enrollment documentation, and dependent changes.
• Ensure compliance with all federal programs such as HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, ADAA, ERISA and FMLA.
• Enters benefit related information into HRIS database and vendors portal according to established procedures.
• Updates and maintains benefits related procedures as necessary.
• Administer the communication of all post-employment benefits to exiting staff, including COBRA information, life insurance conversion notices, insurance verification letters, etc…
• Provide forms and other health and welfare documents to employees, departments, and subsidiaries.
• Assist in various research requests, including timely responses to audit inquiries; may assist in developing and preparing reports, letters, and spreadsheets.
• May be expected to demonstrate knowledge of benefit plan billings, collections and refunds premiums, transfers of funds between general ledger accounts (GL), wire funds and Automated Clearing House payments, and balances GL accounts.
• Assist with the reconciliation of health plan monthly eligibility reports, payroll reconciliations and adjustments.
• Assists with preparation of various governmental reports and filings, assists manager in preparing Summary Plan Descriptions, Salary Reductions forms, benefits packages for mail outs, etc.
• Perform a variety of general office support duties, including composing, typing, and proofreading letters, emails and other benefits documents; maintaining electronic and manual files and records; recording and preserving meeting minutes; answering telephone and in person inquiries
• Meet professional obligations through efficient work habits such as, meeting deadlines, honoring schedules, coordinating resources and meetings in an effective and timely manner, and demonstrating respect for other
• Assists manager with day-to-day administration of 401(k) plan, including but not limited to, distributions, corrections, adjustments etc.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS - EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required (Minimum) Qualifications

• Two (2) years of benefits, insurance or human resources experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Need knowledge of relevant laws and regulations applicable to cafeteria plan administration, FMLA, ADA, COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA and the Affordable Care Act.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of human resources administration related to the area of insurance and benefits administration
• Demonstrated ability to efficiently coordinate multiple projects under the pressure of deadlines
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees or customers.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Problem analysis and problem resolution at both tactical and strategic level.
• Understanding of the payroll and premium collection process.
• Must have strong interpersonal skills, maturity, and good judgment and be capable of communicating with a diverse range of individuals.
• Working knowledge of general office practices, methods, and equipment, including computer skills in Microsoft Office suite of products.
• Professional level of confidentiality in handling employee information
• Must possess strong, documented attention to details

Preferred

• Two-four (2-4) years’ experience working with Costpoint with an Alaska Native Corporation doing government contracting.
• Strong Excel Skills.
• Six (6) years human resource experience with expertise in one of the following: compensation, benefits, training and development
• Associate’s degree in human resources, business administration or related field (may substitute experience on a year by year basis)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Must maintain a constant state of mental alertness at all times. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for bending, stooping, sitting, walking or standing for prolonged periods of time; most of time is spent sitting in a comfortable position with frequent opportunity to move about.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work Environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be borne by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

Job is performed in an office setting with exposure to computer screens and requires extensive use of a computer, keyboard, mouse and multi-line telephone system. The work described herein is primarily a modern office setting. Occasional travel may be required for meetings, trainings and conferences; location may vary and may require overnight stays.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• No supervisory responsibilities.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFYING FACTORS

As a condition of employment, may be required to pass a pre-employment drug screening, as well as have acceptable reference and background check results to obtain access to military base. Must have reliable transportation to/from work a necessity and must be able to obtain access to military installations.

Shareholder Preference.  BSNC gives hiring, promotion, training and retention preference to BSNC shareholders, shareholder descendants and shareholder spouses who meet the minimum qualifications for the job.

Bering Straits Native Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/ AA/ Male/ Female/ Disability/ Vets employer.

We participate in the E-Verify Employment Verification Program. We are a drug free workplace.