This position (internally titled "Total Rewards Coordinator") administers all employee insurance benefits, including direct communication with large groups and individuals. This position also partners with the Accounting department to administer the retirement programs at Minnkota, including two pensions, 401(k), and §457, including meeting with employees regarding their participation in these and other plans. This position interacts significantly with third-party administrators, carriers and vendors, as well as for compliance features and agencies.
Essential Responsibilities
Administers Minnkota Retirement Programs
Supports all activities related to the retirement programs at Minnkota, including Pensions, 401(k), §457, §415 limits, actuarial studies, audits, required filings, non-discrimination and other testing, and DOL/IRS compliance
Maintains plan documents and amendments, including Summary Plan Descriptions, Summary Annual Reports, Material Modifications, and performance reports; posts and distributes as required
Supports the Pension Plan Trustee with Pension Investment Committee activities, and maintains a positive working relationship with the Investment firm representatives
Facilitates payroll deductions, plan financial records, and data feeds to third-party administrators
Administers Employee Insurance Benefit Programs
Maintains plan documents and amendments, Summary Plan Descriptions, Summary of Benefits statements, and Material Modifications; posts and distributes as required
Monitors trends and market influences, including legal changes to benefit administration, and advises as appropriate
Responsible for timely and comprehensive communication promoting aspects of the benefit package, or interest pieces on benefits
Completes and files 5500s and other required forms
Completes and submits employer claims for death and disability benefits; coordinates with employees and/or beneficiaries
Coordinates with Payroll and IT on matters pertaining to the Health Savings Account, premium deductions, deferrals, and enrollment matters
Represents Minnkota as required for ND REC Trust matters as the alternate trustee
Employee Interaction and Communication
Meets with employees as appropriate to discuss questions and/or concerns about insurance and retirement benefits; acts as a resource for all benefit-related matters
Coordinates information for those on Long-term Disability, COBRA, Retiree Medical, vested deferral pension status, or non-employees, including eligibility and enrollment
Manages FMLA processes and time accounting for those on medical leaves
Meets with employees and retirees on post-employment benefit options under insurance and retirement programs
Meets with employees when newly eligible for benefits
Responsible for Open Enrollment processes, including communication and education, programming with HRIS, and being a resource for employees
Collaborate with HR Department to deliver engaging and educational Open Enrollment information sessions
Coordinate with trainers, presenters, and logistic staff, to bring in outside education for employees on benefit related topics
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Required:
Bachelors or better in Human Resource Administration or related field
Experience
Required:
5 years or more in Human Resources, Accounting, Insurance, or Pension/Retirement experience
Preferred
Experience in a union environment/industrial workplace setting
Our Power is our People
Minnkota Power Cooperative, headquartered in Grand Forks, ND, has played a major role in bringing a better quality of life to residents of eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota for more than 75 years.
The company has a wide range of about 400 knowledgeable and skilled employees who work to bring reliable, low-cost electric energy to rural America. Minnkota creates career growth and development a priority by creating a challenging and rewarding work environment. The company also promotes a true work-life balance that helps enhance employees' quality of life.
A generation and transmission cooperative, Minnkota Power Cooperative is owned by 11 distribution cooperatives. Three in eastern North Dakota and eight in northwestern Minnesota. Minnkota also serves as operating agent for the Northern Municipal Power Agency (NMPA) in Thief River Falls, MN. In total, the Minnkota/NMPA Joint System provides electricity to more than 150,000 customers.
Minnkota's Milton R. Young station is a two-unit coal fired power plant providing a stable energy source for our cooperative member-owners. The station is located 35 miles from Bismarck, ND, a growing and progressive city with many recreational opportunities.