Human Resources Generalist

Responsible for providing support for Human Resources and employees with emphasis in the areas of employee benefit administration, onboarding/offboarding, employee relations, policies and procedures, and other areas as required.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS):

Benefits Administration

• Responsible for planning and administering employee and retiree benefit programs, including retirement plans. 
• Evaluate and revise internal processes to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
• Document and maintain administrative procedures for assigned benefits processes.
• Ensure compliance with applicable government regulations. Ensure timeliness and accuracy of required reporting and fees.
• Communicate with employees/retirees/commissioners, resolve benefit-related issues, and collaborate with other departments and external vendors.
• Collaborate with payroll and ensure that employer contributions and payroll deductions are processed accurately and in a timely manner.
• Coordinate daily benefits processing. Handle enrollments, COBRA, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, accident and death claims, rollovers, distributions, loans, and compliance testing.
• Gather employee data and oversee the processing of monthly billings and the requests for payment of monthly invoices for all employee benefit group plans.
• Analyze current benefits, evaluating the use, services, coverage, effectiveness, cost, plan experience and competitive trends in benefits programs and make recommendations for leadership consideration.
• Responsible for all maintenance and processing required for the Plan Source Benefit platform including but not limited to annual open enrollments, new hire document processing, terminations, monthly changes for billing, benefit invoice monthly reconciliation, etc.
• Acts as main contact for COBRA and APERS administration.
• Responsible for annual employee benefit renewal process, open enrollment, and townhall meetings.

• Ensure all regulatory new hire requirements are met.
• Participates in new employee orientation sessions and updates HR information regularly.
• Prepare and distribute new hire employee benefit packets in a timely manner.
• Ensures all new hire forms are completed and submitted in a timely manner.
• Initiates communications with the new hire to ensure understanding of benefits and applicable deadlines.
• Processes terminations and meets with exiting employee to ensure a smooth transition such as providing employee benefit vendor contact information, forms, etc.
• Administers exit interviews.

• Provides interpretation and clarification upon request.

• Maintains open-door policy to encourage effective communications for HR guidance and/or assistance.
• Notifies and/or ensure that employees and retirees remain aware of their responsibilities about benefit participation.
• Actively participate in annual benefit enrollment meetings.

• Oversees and administers leave requests and accommodations requiring specialized attention, particularly those arising under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), state and local leave laws, and short-term or long-term disability plans.
• Responses to employment verifications and processes mandatory payroll deductions such as garnishments, child support, bankruptcies, etc.
• Assists supervisor as directed.
• Complete weekly or monthly reports as required.
• Ensures filing and other recordkeeping requirements are maintained.
• Writes and ensures there are written procedures in place for procedures performed.
• Performs other essential duties as assigned.
• Follows established work procedures and practices.
• Follows safety practices and guidelines.
• Undertakes any reasonable request within capabilities that is good for the community and the utility.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in human resource management or related field, and three to five years of related employee benefits administration experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of HR Generalist experience.
• Obtain and maintain Human Resources professional certification by an accredited organization (aPHR, PHR, SPHR, SPHR-CM, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP) within eighteen (18) months of hire date.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of human resource management.  
• Ability to discreetly and/or diplomatically work with employees, supervisors, vendors, etc.
• Ability to maintain valid Arkansas driver’s license.
• Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to use Microsoft products, including PowerPoint; experience with HRIS and benefits databases.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment with associates.
• Effective planning and priority setting. Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of employee benefit insurance plan designs.
• Ability to understand, evaluate and make judgment on requests for proposals (RFPs).
• Ability to interpret and implement benefits contract language.
• Knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements, both adopted and pending, affecting employee benefits programs, including the ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, and Medicare requirements.
• Excellent communication and organization skills.

This position has been evaluated as to whether a momentary lapse of attention may result in grave and immediate danger to the employee, coworkers, or the public.  If the designation is yes, the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act (AMMA) of 2016 will govern working conditions.  If no, the AMMA will not apply to the position.
This position has been evaluated as to the mandated wearing of a company uniform during working hours.