Position Summary

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

1. 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
2. Maintains plan documents and amendments, including Summary Plan Descriptions, Summary Annual Reports, Material Modifications, and performance reports; posts and distributes as required
3. Supports the Pension Plan Trustee with Pension Investment Committee activities, and maintains a positive working relationship with the Investment firm representatives
4. Facilitates payroll deductions, plan financial records, and data feeds to third-party administrators

• Administers Employee Insurance Benefit Programs

1. Maintains plan documents and amendments, Summary Plan Descriptions, Summary of Benefits statements, and Material Modifications; posts and distributes as required
2. Monitors trends and market influences, including legal changes to benefit administration, and advises as appropriate
3. Responsible for timely and comprehensive communication promoting aspects of the benefit package, or interest pieces on benefits
4. Completes and files 5500s and other required forms
5. Completes and submits employer claims for death and disability benefits; coordinates with employees and/or beneficiaries
6. Coordinates with Payroll and IT on matters pertaining to the Health Savings Account, premium deductions, deferrals, and enrollment matters
7. Represents Minnkota as required for ND REC Trust matters as the alternate trustee

• Employee Interaction and Communication

1. 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
2. Coordinates information for those on Long-term Disability, COBRA, Retiree Medical, vested deferral pension status, or non-employees, including eligibility and enrollment
3. Manages FMLA processes and time accounting for those on medical leaves
4. Meets with employees and retirees on post-employment benefit options under insurance and retirement programs
5. Meets with employees when newly eligible for benefits
6. Responsible for Open Enrollment processes, including communication and education, programming with HRIS, and being a resource for employees
7. Collaborate with HR Department to deliver engaging and educational Open Enrollment information sessions
8. 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

About Minnkota Power Cooperative

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.

Connections working at Minnkota Power Cooperative