Benefits Analyst I/II

At Knife River, we take care of our team because we know it's our people who make us successful. We are one of the 10 largest construction materials producers/contractors in the Country, and we are a PEOPLE-first company. Our team members are the key to our success, and we are committed to giving them the tools, training, and time to do their jobs productively and safely each day. Our goal is to build strong teams that, in turn, build strong communities. We are also a publicly traded company on the NYSE with the ticker symbol KNF and part of the S&P MidCap 400 index.

Benefits Analyst I/II promotes superior customer service via the communication, delivery and administration of benefit programs to employees and retirees. Answers employee questions and works closely with benefits staff and third-party administrators to ensure benefit plans are operating smoothly; may recommend changes for process improvements. Gathers key plan data such as participation, utilization, cost and competitive data via published benefits surveys, claims, fees and participation data. Assists more senior benefits personnel in the analysis of plan data to reduce costs and improve efficiencies.

This position will be located in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Minimum Requirements:

Benefits Analyst I:

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, accounting or a related field OR
• Four years of benefits experience with group insurance (i.e. health and welfare or retirement benefit plans). Equivalent experience must include plan administration, conducting basic research on plan design changes, and assisting in the analysis of costs, trends, and funding approaches.

Benefits Analyst II:

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, accounting or a related field.
• Two years in-depth benefits experience in health and welfare and qualified plans.

Preferred Requirements:

• Additional benefits accounting and/or payroll experience.
• Excel experience should include the use of formulas and descriptive statistical functions such as average and standard deviation, V-lookups, and Pivot tables.
• HRIS experience (preferable JDE Edwards and UKG).
• Benefits program management experience.
• Experience with merger and acquisition activities.

Duties and/or Responsibilities:

• Track, monitor, and analyze claims, fees, premiums, reimbursements, costs, data, and access; reconcile discrepancies and variances (i.e. billing, enrollment, or plan details); interpret analysis; develop summary reports for management review and decision making.
• Make observations or recommendations for process improvements, system enhancements, and effective cost control, and interface with corporate accounting to ensure accurate tracking.
• Assist senior benefits personnel in comprehensive and in-depth analysis and reporting.
• Coordinate, gather, compile, and test data to complete all nondiscrimination and coverage testing, true-up calculations, pension valuation, and/or premium billing for various benefit plans, plan design considerations, compliance, and other requirements.
• Responsible for implementation and updating of approved benefit changes, and/or regulatory changes (e.g. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)) including understanding, designing, and streamlining systems, processes, and procedures; provide assistance in employee/retiree benefit communications.
• Assist in drafting, editing and reviewing Summary Annual Reports, Summary Plan Descriptions, 5500s, plan documents, retiree communications, or other corporate communications.
• Provide requested analyses for mergers, acquisitions, and plan integrations to ensure effective integration; compliance with laws, regulations and policies; and employee satisfaction.
• Respond to employee, retiree and other HR personnel questions in a timely fashion, either directly or through region HR personnel.
• Assist in preparing and presenting benefit changes, updates, programs, and education/training to employees and retirees.
• Serve as a resource for corporate and region human resources team members on existing benefits.
• Coordinate, research, report and analyze various benefit requests of senior analysts and manager, including coordination or benefits budget preparation. Provide monthly benefits budget variance reports to manager.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Assist with analysis of renewals, plan changes, premium rates, and contract reviews.
• Responsible for systems knowledge, including but not limited to tracking, report generation, and plan design implications.
• Handle premium billing, employee and retiree contributions/payments, and prepare billings for approval and payment.
• Develop and maintain project timelines.
• Perform other tasks and special projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities, including the ability to clearly communicate with employees at all levels of the organization and retirees.
• Strong customer service skills along with the ability to maintain confidentiality and build and maintain solid internal and external relationships.
• Knowledge and application of statistical analysis techniques, benefits design, and compliance with employee benefits laws and regulations.
• Must be a self-motivated team player with excellent interpersonal skills and solid facilitation skills.
• Proven ability to apply analytical techniques and accounting principles to assist benefits personnel on design, recommendations, cost and funding approaches.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage a multitude of tasks and projects.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills in person and virtually.
• Superior organization skills and the ability to follow directions.
• Strong sense of urgency, proven attention to detail and comfortable working with and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle information of a confidential nature.
• Display a professional and courteous attitude towards all team members and customers.
• May be required to maintain a valid driver's license.

How To Apply:
Knife River is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status or any other protected category under applicable state/federal law.

Subject to pre-employment drug testing and background checks.

If unable to apply online, please mail completed application to:
Knife River Corporation
Box 5568
Bismarck, ND 58506