JOB TITLE: BENEFITS SPECIALIST

LOCATION: HUMAN RESOURCES/BANGOR

REPORTS TO: Director, Human Resources

Be a part of the team that is transforming the power industry of northern and eastern Maine.

Versant Power is building on our 100-year history of delivering efficient, safe and reliable electricity service to customers

in northern and eastern Maine. We never lose sight of safety, quality, integrity and innovation.

We are committed to our dedicated people, who inspire us every day to deliver something more powerful than power

alone.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Reporting to the Director, Human Resources, the Benefits Specialist is responsible for administration and coordination of

the Company’s compensation plan, benefit plan, including health insurance, Long and Short-Term Disability, the Defined

Benefit Plan, the 401(k) plan, the Employee Assistance Program and the Wellness Program. This position ensures

compliance with federal, state, and local benefit laws and regulation, including the Employee Retirement Income Security

Act of 1974 (ERISA).

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

BENEFITS:

• Administers human resource and benefit plans, programs and procedures for all company employees and retirees.
• Delivers benefit orientation to new employees, administers mid-year qualifying events and annual open enrollment
• process.
• Monthly reconciliation and processing of benefit vendor premium invoices.
• Administer, with external vendors, ERISA attorney and Enmax retirement specialists, the administration of two
• defined benefit pension plans and one deferred compensation plan. Research and respond to complex participant
• inquiries to completion.
• Meet with all pending retirees to answer question and assist with steps of the retirement transition process.
• Manage workers’ compensation process: receipt of injury report, interviewing injured employee, establishing injury
• treatment plan, return to work strategy, consulting with people leaders regarding light duty, interacting with
• providers and workers’ compensation carrier to administer claims, provide a monthly injury status update report and
• leading a monthly injury case review meeting with Safety.
• Coordinate services provided by the occupation therapist for injury prevention treatment, work-related injury
• consulting and ergonomic assessments.
• Create materials on benefit programs for various purposes including executive and governance committees, annual
• reports, informational and training.
• Educate all levels of the business on benefit programs.
• Administer leave programs, including short-term and long-term disability, Maine and Federal Family Leave Act process
• and approvals. Advise people leaders on employee relation issues arising from use and qualification for/of leave
• programs.
• Respond to high volume of employee and retiree inquiries.
• Participate in Wellness Committee and develop/implement wellness programming for employees
• Assist with developing and implementing retirement education programs and materials.
• Assist with HR portion of annual external audits including one defined contribution plan, two defined benefit plan,
• and two health & wellness plans.
• Well-versed in the wires Conversant with our customers Versatile in how we work

COMPENSATION:

• Analyze and monitor external competitive practices and benchmarks, bringing forward and implementing appropriate recommendations and solutions to ensure that compensation, pension and benefits programs remain competitive.
• Provide appropriate salary recommendations within applicable level of authority matrix for new hires, internal transfers and promotions based on internal equity, external competitiveness and appropriate company compensation guidelines.
• Administer job evaluations for new, changed and/or existing positions using a variety of methodologies ensuring internal departmental and company-wide equity. Provide salary recommendations or review salary offers, as requested by Talent Acquisition.
• Conduct the annual compensation planning process and STIP (BSC) process. Provide quarterly estimated versions for budgeting purposes.

GENERAL HUMAN RESOURCES/COMPLIANCE:

• Regularly develop and send communications to employees, regarding compliance, and various reporting requirements.
• Identify, evaluate and implement corrective action of human resource department compliance and procedural improvements resulting in established best practices.
• Actively participate in ADA process and accommodation requests and review personal and work-related accommodations requested with leaders. Oversight of records in this realm for compliance, audit and governmental requirements.
• Monitor annual calendar of all HR compliance responsibilities. Ensure timely completion and report on compliance item status monthly to HR team.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist senior management with MPUC filings, arguments and document requests related to benefits.
• Prepare relevant board materials for quarterly updates.
• Participate and/or lead annual and project work in compensation, benefits and pensions.
• Attend Human Resource staff meetings.
• Attend monthly Safety meetings. Develop and present one Safety meeting per year with HR team.
• Performs other related duties as assigned, including designated duties associated with System Restoration.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business or other related field or equivalent.
• Five (5) or more years in human resource related activities, Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification preferred.
• Experience and strong knowledge of employee benefits, pension and 401K.
• Experience working in a unionized workplace preferred.
• Strong communication and organizational skills, and knowledge of mathematics, and interpersonal relations skills required.
• Knowledge of federal and state benefit laws, including ERISA, and their practical application required.
• Valid Maine Driver’s license required.
• Strong computer skills required, i.e. Microsoft office programs (Excel focused).
• Position requires the ability to multi-task, managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines.

NOTES:

• Well-versed in the wires Conversant with our customers Versatile in how we work
• Position is primarily sedentary. Some walking, standing and driving required.
• Position requires strong oral, reading and written communication skills.
• Position requires strong interpersonal skills.
• Position requires significant amount of time using a personal computer.
• Position requires visual and mental concentration.
• Some travel to company field locations or other meeting sites is required
• Position can be stressful due to deadlines and multitasking requirements.
• Irregular hours may be required
• Versant Power is a tobacco free, drug free and fragrance free workplace.

RATE OF PAY:

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION:

If you are interested in learning more please apply by submitting an application

Non Bargaining Unit, Regular and Term employees who have at least six (6) months satisfactory job performance and attendance records in their current job are eligible to apply for posted openings.

POSTED:

Versant Power is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

This job description is subject to change at any time