LIVE, WORK AND PLAY!
Chelan County PUD is located in the geographical center of Washington State at the confluence of the Columbia and Wenatchee rivers. A public power leader, the complex and progressive nature of PUD operations offer a unique mix of challenges and opportunities.
We rely on the mighty Columbia River for much of our hydropower generation and we're proud to take a leadership role in environmental stewardship as related to this great river system. Each year we dedicate millions of dollars and thousands of work hours to protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plant ecosystems. As part of hydropower operations, we've also built 14 parks that serve more than 3 million visitors each year.
Rated by Forbes in 2017 and 2019 as one of the top 25 places to retire, Wenatchee is a recreational paradise with an abundance of adventure. The natural scenic beauty of the Wenatchee Valley provides a vivid backdrop to its thriving economy, where the quality of life is high and the climate is moderate with four distinct seasons, including more than 200 days of sunshine!
We are a small town to some and big city to others. We invest in our children and believe that education is the key to our future success.
We live a life of abundant choices and enjoy water sports on the Wenatchee and Columbia rivers, hiking, biking, rock climbing and unlimited golfing. Downhill and cross-country skiing are just minutes away. The area is also known for producing quality wines.
Consider Chelan PUD as a career choice today! The community is waiting for you.
Chelan PUD is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce. M/F/Vet/Disabled
PLEASE NOTE
This position is open to internal and external applicants concurrently.
Internal Candidate Confidentiality
The District supports the career development and aspirations of employees. To facilitate career development employees are encouraged to share job ambitions with their supervisors or managers, especially when applying for other positions within the District.
Candidates should be aware applications for this job opening may be used to create candidate pools for other positions and may be shared with supervisors, managers and/or managing directors for those selection processes. Additionally, at the final interview stage Managing Directors may share the identities of finalists with each other and discuss references. Employees are strongly encouraged to communicate their job interest with their current supervisory chain of command upon reaching the final interview stage of a selection process.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
Applicants are required to submit a combined cover letter and resume in one document. Your cover letter must summarize experience overseeing a benefits program or HR generalist experience, other combined education/experience relative to this position, and interest in the role. Incomplete materials will not be considered.
To expedite the application process, combine your cover letter and resume into one PDF or WORD document before applying and upload electronically when requested in the online application process.
This position is OPEN UNTIL FILLED and applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. The first review date for application materials is scheduled for December 27, 2021.
Interested parties are also invited to contact Human Resources at joblist@chelanpud.org to discuss the position.
SALARY RANGE
In addition to a competitive starting salary range of $63,840 - $79,800 for Benefits Administrator and $78,080-$97,600 for Benefits Administrator Senior (based on qualifications, skills and abilities), Chelan PUD employees also enjoy outstanding benefits which include the option of a zero cost medical plan (medical, dental and vision for all eligible dependents), short and long-term disability, Washington State Public Employee's Retirement System, Deferred Compensation (with company matching funds up to 5%), 11 holidays and initial personal leave accrual at 21 days per year.
Introductory Period: New employees holding regular positions must complete an introductory period of twelve months.
JOB POSTING
This position will be filled at either the Benefits Administrator or Benefits Administrator Senior level and reports to the Total Rewards Manager.
This position requires working in the Wenatchee office; this is not a remote position.
JOB PURPOSE: Administer the District’s various employee health and welfare, leave, and retirement benefits programs. Regularly communicate and interface with employees and benefits consultants and service providers regarding benefit programs, eligibility, enrollment, and coverage issues. Maintain accurate benefits records, data, and documents and process timely payments. Assist in the implementation of changes and enhancements to employee benefit programs. Monitor benefits activities and transactions for compliance with overall District policies and pertinent federal and state employment laws.
Senior level: Implement changes and enhancements to employee benefit programs. Assist in the development of cost containment strategies aligned with District’s goals while maintaining the District's competitive position in the marketplace. Monitor benefits activities and transactions for compliance with overall District policies and pertinent federal and state employment laws.
JOB FUNCTIONS:
1. Health and Welfare Benefit Administration: Enroll employees in benefits programs, implement changes, and communicate timely with plan participants. Maintain the District’s benefit systems and enrollment data by performing tasks such as maintaining rates and eligibility rules, running enrollment processes and tracking and validating benefit elections. Process timely payments such as medical weekly claims, dental and medical admin fees, COBRA, Flexible spending accounts, life and disability, long-term care and retiree administration fees. Perform file transfers to support timely enrollments and payroll processing. Work with benefits providers and employees to resolve issues and implement appropriate corrective action as necessary to ensure quick, equitable, courteous resolution of employee benefit issues/concerns.
2. Leave Administration: Administer leave benefit plans such as paid leave and short-term disability, and regulated leave such as FMLA and Paid Family Medical Leave. Administer the District’s leave processes and monitor leave statuses and timelines. Advise staff and management on interrelationships with District leave benefits and state or federal leave plans. Clearly document procedures and processes. Partner with HR staff to respond to leave requests and communicate timely with employees, supervisors and service providers throughout the leave period. Coordinate with Labor & Employee Relations and HR management to manage complex leave cases, such as when disability or leave requests require an interactive process, reasonable accommodation actions or interpretation of the collective bargaining agreement. Senior level: . Develop and maintain standardized and compliant leave procedures and forms and monitor leave statuses and timelines.
3. Employee Benefits Communications: Conduct employee benefits orientation. Provide benefits educational information to employees and plan members using a variety of communication methods and technologies. Enable quick answers to commonly asked employee questions. Assist or lead in the development and delivery of benefits educational opportunities for staff at varying career stages. Coordinate employee communications and messaging with third party administrators.
4. Benefits Projects: Lead routine benefit events and processes such as open enrollment and employee health screenings, and any retiree relations programs. Lead or support other benefits projects, as assigned. Senior level: As a project leader, independently manage benefit events and processes such as open enrollment, employee health screenings, retirement education and any retiree relations programs. Contribute to the development or revision of benefits policies and program design changes. Provide analysis of benefits effectiveness and recommend changes. As a subject matter expert for the benefits technology solutions, assist with the implementation of system changes or integration with any third-party benefit administration systems or tools.
5. HR Business Partner: Collaborate within HR and across the organization to provide information, coaching, and guidance regarding HR policies, processes, procedures. Train HR staff and managers on appropriate use of processes and software tools. May be assigned to specific business units to triage human resources needs and requests and enable solutions. May provide back-up to other HR professionals such as HR Analysts, Administrators, Generalists, and Recruiters, as needed.
6. Retirement Administration: Enroll employees in retirement and deferred compensation programs. Monitor contribution limits and coordinate with payroll as needed to respond to eligibility or contribution issues.
7. Audits & Compliance: Monitor compliance with District policies, federal and state laws through routine or project-based reporting and audits and report results to management or oversight committees. Senior level: Utilize legal counsel, as needed, to interpret compliance requirements and/or revise benefit plan documents. Track and monitor compliance with benefit related regulatory requirements and participate in annual reporting to outside agencies, such as the IRS.
8. Recognition Program Administration: Administer recognition programs and assist with related processes.
9. Benefit Committee Coordination: Coordinate and facilitate various benefit committees, such as those related to self-insured medical plan management and/or retirement investments. Maintain committee records and adhere to document retention requirements.
10. Provide content to and/or maintain confidential employee records and information. All Human Resources Department employees are required to restrict access to confidential employee records and information from any unauthorized person, except on a need to know basis.
11. Drive a motorized vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the District.
12. Maintain regular and predictable attendance: Perform related duties and responsibilities as required. Comply with District policies. Complete all required training. Maintain a working knowledge and comply with District safety procedures and specific safety requirements of this position, and those in accordance with applicable provisions of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
QUALIFICATIONS: The qualifications listed below are representative of those required, but reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Post-Secondary Education: Bachelor’s Degree in human resources, business, or related field or the equivalent combination of education, experience.
Experience: Typically requires three (3) years’ progressively responsible experience as an HR Generalist. Candidates with experience administering employee qualified and non-qualified benefits programs in the government or public sector are strongly preferred. Candidates with benefits administration experience are preferred.
Senior level: Typically requires five (5) years’ progressively responsible experience as an HR Generalist, including at least two (2) years’ experience performing the administration of employee qualified and non-qualified benefits programs. Experience administering self-funded plans in the government or public sector is strongly preferred. Project leadership and coordination experience is desired.
Specific KSA's: A fully skilled incumbent will have the following specific knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Knowledge
• Demonstrated knowledge of District benefits processes and procedures
• Working knowledge of federal and/or state regulations affecting the administration of health and welfare, leave and retirement plans, as well as specific requirements for public sector employers
• Working knowledge of the collective bargaining agreement as it relates to benefits and leave.
Skills & Abilities:
• Ability to communicate effectively in a clear and concise manner with all levels of employees, managers, consultants and service providers
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Attention to detail
• Ability to monitor benefit data for accuracy and identify errors
• Ability to identify benefit system issues and perform basic troubleshooting
• Ability to anticipate when something is likely to go wrong and develop mitigation strategies
• Active listening skills
• Ability to demonstrate caring and empathy to plan participants and connect them to available resources
• Must be proficient in reading, writing and speaking English.
Complexity: Prioritizes and performs a broad range of moderately complex technical or professional work. Solves day-to-day problems using established policies, regulations, or work rules. Senior level: Manages and performs an extensive range and variety of complex technical or professional work activities, some without precedent. Takes a broad perspective to identify solutions.
Decision Making: Works under general supervision. Free to determine most appropriate work methods. Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience. Escalates unusual or complex issues to supervisor. Senior level: Works independently, under limited supervision. Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience. Trains and mentors others. May act as a team leader. Advises management on best work methods, processes and/or application of policy. Receives guidance in complex situations.
Computers & Equipment: A fully skilled incumbent will have the ability to utilize the following software, hardware, or equipment:
To perform this job successfully, an individual is required to have intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word; PeopleSoft HRIS; and general office equipment. Requires the ability to create online training materials using a variety of software tools, the ability to utilize and modify forms and workflow tools, and the ability to use office equipment and software to host remote meetings and record presentations.
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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; perform repetitive hand or arm motion; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, carry or lift 10 pounds unassisted; and lift 10 pounds above shoulder height. Vision requirements include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level is usually moderate.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS: An employee may not be hired or transferred to a job, or continue in a job if currently employed, if they do not satisfy the following job requirements. These District requirements cannot be waived by supervisors.
BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENTS:Chelan County Public Utility District #1 conducts background screening of management personnel and personnel who have access to and/or deal with employee confidential information.
DISCLAIMER
The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility. This should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload.
EEO
Chelan PUD is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled). We value diversity at all levels of the organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected classifications as defined by law.
EEO Law Posters can be found on the main Careers page in English and Spanish.
Chelan PUD will not be offering any work visa sponsorship for this role.
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-I.35(c)