Benefits Analyst II/III - AI
6 days ago
Anchorage
Job Description Summary The Benefits Analyst performs a variety of activities to administer Ahtna’s employee benefit programs and protected leave programs. This role ensures data accuracy and regulatory compliance, provides timely and clear employee support, partners with internal stakeholders and external vendors, and contributes to process improvements that enhance the employee experience and control plan costs. Programs include health & welfare (medical, dental, vision, life/AD&D, disability, HSA, FSA, EAP, and ancillary plans), retirement (e.g., 401(k), NQDC), and protected leave (e.g., FMLA, ADA, CFRA, USERRA). The salary range for this position is $74,498-$106,012 per year, please note this is a tiered position. This position comes with a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) plan with a 3% match, paid time off (PTO), and company-paid holidays. This position will be posted for 5 days or until filled. Essential Duties and Responsibilities • Deliver excellent customer service in a fast-paced environment with a high degree of accuracy and confidentiality., • Adhere to stringent security and confidentiality procedures for all employee data, including PHI/PII, across electronic and paper formats., • Build collaborative relationships with employees, HR team members, Finance/Payroll, brokers/advisors, carriers, and other partners., • Follow all safety policies and promptly report potentially unsafe conditions., • Perform other related duties as assigned. Benefits Administration • Serve as a knowledgeable resource to employees regarding eligibility, plan features, enrollment, changes, and qualifying life events for health & welfare and retirement programs., • Support plan operations including new-hire onboarding, life event processing, and terminations; audit and correct enrollment and deduction issues in HRIS/benefits systems and payroll., • Coordinate and validate Open Enrollment activities with the HRIS/benefits platform and carriers, including plan setup, rates, communications, testing, and post‑OE audits., • Partner with leadership, brokers, and advisors on plan design, compliance, communications, and participant education. Protected Leave Administration • Administer and track leaves under ADA, FMLA, CFRA, USERRA (and other applicable state or local laws), ensuring timely notices, documentation, and communication to employees and managers., • Coordinate with Payroll for pay impacts and with carriers for benefit continuation; manage LOA premium billing and reconciliation. Compliance & Reporting • Apply and communicate requirements under ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, EGTRRA, SECURE Act, IRC §125, FMLA, ADA, USERRA, and relevant state laws (e.g., CFRA)., • Assist with compliance reporting and filings (e.g., plan audits, Forms 5500, nondiscrimination testing, ACA reporting where applicable), and maintain accurate records/SOPs for audit readiness., • Help ensure benefit programs align with company policies and all legal requirements; escalate complex issues appropriately. Data, Systems & Reconciliation • Maintain benefits-related data in HRIS/benefit administration systems; perform routine and ad hoc audits to ensure data integrity and correct payroll deductions., • Reconcile benefit vendor invoices; research and resolve discrepancies; initiate LOA premium billing and monitor collections., • Create and maintain spreadsheets, reports, and dashboards (e.g., enrollment, cost trends, utilization summaries). Vendor Management & Cross-Functional Support • Collaborate with Finance on 401(k) nondiscrimination testing and related year-end activities., • Participate in 401(k) Advisory Committee meetings; coordinate directives, logistics, agendas, and minutes as directed., • Liaise with carriers, brokers, and third-party administrators to troubleshoot issues and improve service delivery. Employee Education & Communications • Educate employees and managers on benefits and leave policies, procedures, timelines, and eligibility., • Draft clear, accessible communications (guides, FAQs, intranet content, OE materials) that support understanding and engagement. Projects & Continuous Improvement • Contribute to benefits projects such as vendor transitions, system implementations, and process redesign., • Identify operational inefficiencies; recommend and help implement improvements and SOP updates. Supervision None. (Analyst III may mentor lower-level analysts and provide subject-matter guidance.) Core Competencies • Technical Expertise in Benefits Administration: Health & welfare, retirement, and leave programs; ability to interpret plan documents and apply regulatory requirements., • Analytical & Critical Thinking: Analyze data, identify discrepancies, interpret trends, and propose actionable recommendations., • Attention to Detail & Accuracy: Precision in data entry, auditing, billing reconciliation, and documentation., • Customer Service & Communication: Clear, empathetic explanations of complex concepts; strong written and verbal communication., • Initiative & Independent Judgment: Operates with limited supervision; appropriately escalates issues., • Collaboration & Relationship Building: Effective partnerships with internal teams and external vendors/brokers., • Technology & Systems Proficiency: HRIS/benefits systems; Excel (e.g., VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables, data validation); Microsoft 365., • Confidentiality & Compliance: Upholds HIPAA and data privacy requirements; consistent compliance focus., • Process Improvement Mindset: Identifies and implements efficiency and quality enhancements; develops and maintains SOPs. Benefits Analyst II Minimum Qualifications • Associate’s degree in business administration, accounting, human resources, or related field (experience may substitute for education on a year‑for‑year basis)., • Minimum four (4) years of experience in benefits, payroll, human resources, or related field, with at least two (2) years in benefits administration. Preferred Qualifications • Four (4) years of direct benefits administration experience., • Experience administering FEHB plans (if applicable)., • Professional benefits certification (e.g., CEBS or similar)., • Experience in DBA, SCA, and CBA/Union environments., • Four (4) years of direct benefits administration experience., • Experience administering FEHB plans (if applicable)., • Professional benefits certification (e.g., CEBS or similar)., • Experience in DBA, SCA, and CBA/Union environments., • Experience and knowledge of Alaska Native cultures. Benefits Analyst III Minimum Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, human resources, or related field (experience may substitute for education on a year‑for‑year basis)., • Five (5) years of direct benefits administration experience., • Experience administering FEHB plans (if applicable)., • Professional benefits certification (e.g., CEBS or similar)., • Experience in DBA, SCA, and CBA/Union environments., • Serves as a subject-matter expert for benefits compliance, plan operations, and process design., • Leads projects, implementations, and complex audits; partners with brokers/legal as needed., • Interprets plan documents; advises leadership on compliance and plan changes., • Mentors and trains Benefits Analyst I/II and other HR staff on the company’s benefits programs. Shareholder Preference Pursuant to PL 93-638, as amended, preference will be given to qualified Ahtna Native Corporation Shareholders, Descendants, and Spouses in all phases of employment. Physical Demands Frequent sitting for prolonged periods of time, using hands/fingers requiring dexterity and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper, reaching with hands and arms for items above and below desk level, talking, hearing, and seeing (up close, at a distance, along the periphery, with depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus); walking from place to place within the office with occasional use of stairs and no elevator available; bending, pushing, pulling, and standing for up to 2 hours; occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds such as small office equipment, files, stacks of paper, and other materials. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described in this job description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job: Work is performed in an office setting with ability to speak and receive phone communications often. Work requires computer usage with strength, dexterity, coordination and visual acuity to use keyboard and video display terminal and other office equipment. Moderate travel required to shareholder communities, subsidiary offices and other locations as needed. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM