Position Type:
Classified Administration/Generalist, Benefits

Date Posted:
9/16/2020

Location:
BENEFITS

Date Available:
09/17/2020

Closing Date:
09/24/2020


Bargaining Unit: Exempt
Work Day: 8 hours per day
FTE: Full time, 1.0 FTE
Salary: $68,000 - $77,000

Job Summary

Note: This temporary position is available 9/17/2020 through 12/23/2020.

The temporary Benefits Generalist provides oversight of benefits eligibility for all Anchorage School District employees, and serves as a liaison between ASD, unions, and various benefits carriers. Generalists collaborate with Human Resources staff in the management and maintenance of employee records and information systems, including confidential information relevant to benefits, employment actions, and collective bargaining. Generalists are responsible for ensuring confidentiality and compliance with laws and procedures. The position has a retirement association with the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).

Job Requirements
The following are required:

1. A bachelor's degree. Equivalent experience, education, and training may be considered in lieu of the degree requirement.Possession of one of the following certifications within 12 months of date of hire: Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) certification, Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), Professional Human Resources (PHR), or Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) certification or equivalent, such as SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP.Three years of experience in and knowledge of working with employee benefits.

The following are preferred:

1. Thorough knowledge of ASD's benefit plans/provisions and prior experience with human resources information systems.Knowledge of Alaska statutes of the Teachers' and Public Employees' Retirement Systems (TRS and PERS).Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word including high proficiency with spreadsheets and HRIS management tools.Experience working within a large organization with a unionized workforce, particularly in a public school district or public higher education setting.Prior project management and HRIS report writing experience.

Essential Job Functions

1. Audits and reconciles benefits eligibility status for employees and School Board members in accordance with current bargaining agreements generating monthly eligibility reports and premium payments, serving as liaison with third party administrators and applicable union health trusts to review and correct eligibility problems.Researches and resolves discrepancies between vendors/carriers and employee payroll deductions; works to recoup payments for employees with missed deductions due to errors or leave without pay.Reconciles and generates benefits-related monthly reports for year-end audits.Reconciles and audits COBRA accounts with knowledge of federal regulations authorizing monthly payments to the appropriate authority.Reconciles and audits retiree accounts and generates past-due notices with follow-up cancellations and communication as required.Responds to inquiries from employees, administrators, and the general public, interpreting state laws, Anchorage School Board policies, negotiated agreements, and benefits business practices.Responds to inquiries regarding all District provided benefits such as life and health insurance, death claims, and disability life insurance as needed.Coordinates Employee Assistance Program events and communications.Assists beneficiaries with the processing of death claims.Interprets insurance policies while assisting and answering employee questions.Organizes and creates communications around year-round Benefits department special events, such as mobile mammography, on-site flu shot clinic, and wellness initiatives.Interprets current benefits-related contracts.Maintains and monitors a calendar of contract deadlines.Reconciles and audits the District's flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA) programs.Coordinates and develops open enrollment communications materials and presents at employee information sessions.Assists with preparation of and participates in ASD Health Task Force meetings.Provides support as needed for the leave, benefits, and retirement functions through cross training ensuring continuity of workflow and exceptional employee experience.May attend and present at benefits or retirement seminars as required.Exemplifies and ensures a department service culture of excellence in customer service and collaboration with Benefits internal and external customers.Collaborates with the senior director in review and monitoring of benefit business practices, including, but not limited to, department operations, onboarding practices, contract/law compliance, and records management, supporting with collaborative counsel in these areas to Benefits staff and customers.Collaborates with the senior director in the management, maintenance, and auditing of benefits data and required reports.Collaborates with Labor Relations as assigned.Develops, prepares, generates and analyzes ongoing and ad-hoc reports pertaining to benefits information.Adapts established procedures to practical situations, makes decisions, develops recommendations for system improvements, manages multiple tasks, organizes, plans, prioritizes and implements/completes assignments.Assists in development of departmental goals, objectives and systems.Communicates effectively verbally and in writing with all levels of management, supervision, and other ASD personnel.Updates job knowledge by participating in conferences and educational opportunities, reading professional publications, and participating in professional organizations.Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with others, especially from a consultative perspective.

Physical /Mental Demands
The physical demands of this job require frequent standing, walking, sitting, speaking and hearing. Specific visual abilities are also required. The employee is regularly required to reach with his/her hands and arms and occasionally lift items weighing less than 40 lbs. Additionally, the employee must be able to understand vague and implicit instructions, be able to readily recall facts and details, handle conflict and make effective decisions under pressure. The employee must have the ability to effectively manage the stress of working with students, parents, and other employees representing diverse cultures, personalities, and work styles in a dynamic work environment.

The Anchorage School District is committed to providing reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all individuals with a qualified physical or mental disability.

Work Environment
Work is performed in a professional environment with a wide variety of individuals having differing functions, personalities and abilities, including working with diverse groups of people in a variety of different settings.

While performing the duties of this job the employee may be regularly exposed to a video display. The employee may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Additional Job Information
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job related duties as requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

Anchorage School District (ASD) employees must possess the ability to read and write in English. This also includes the ability to communicate in English with school staff, co-workers, and the public; as well as have the ability to comprehend and carry out oral and written directions and understand and follow English instructions and written documents.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a satisfactory criminal background check. For certificated positions, this is in addition to the background check conducted through the certification process with the Alaska State Department of Education and Early Development (DEED).

This position may be required to work in ASD facilities on the military installations (JBER). Please visit the government REAL ID website for additional information.

The Anchorage School District is an equal employment opportunity employer.