Retirement Generalist, Benefits

Bargaining Unit: Exempt
Work Year: 12 months
Work Day: 8 hours per day
FTE: Full time, 1.0 FTE
Salary: $77,250 - $80,897, DOE
4. Supports the annual open enrollment process, including testing file feeds for carriers and testing implementation of tier or premium changes in conjunction with the IT and Payroll Departments as needed.
5. Compiles, analyzes, and provides benefits-related data for collective bargaining, union requests, audits, and research cost estimates for proposals and initiatives.
6. Maintains a comprehensive understanding of all ASD supported benefits and leave programs to provide employees with accurate guidance.
7. Works with benefits carriers, vendors, and brokers to resolve systems related issues.
8. Participates in cross-training initiatives and assist in other benefit areas as needed.

Retirement
1. Serves as the primary subject matter expert on all Anchorage School District retirement programs, providing technical expertise and policy interpretation.
2. Prepares, reconciles and submits all biweekly and monthly State of Alaska retirement contribution reports and responds to plan sponsor requests for information regarding reporting discrepancies.
3. Collaborates with external and internal departments on data discrepancies/corrections. Maintains all internal applicable records associated with reporting for auditing purposes.
4. Accurately reports all status changes, employee events and absences to the State of Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits.
5. Conducts research and attests to requests for information on verification of services, sick leave balances, and salary verifications.
6. Interprets federal and Alaska state statutes and regulations related to retirement plans and communicates any changes to affected parties.
7. Provides guidance and support to employees and potential retirees on retirement planning, and internal separation policies, assists with form completion, and assists beneficiaries in case of employee death. Refer customers to other departments/agencies as needed.
8. Provides education and assistance on retirement plans and resources to new employees.
9. Collaborates with department leadership and internal departments to streamline processes and improve efficiency.
10. Plans, coordinates, and executes retirement-related initiatives, including National Retirement Securities Month and on-site seminars with external partners.
11. Serves as the liaison with plan sponsors and record-keepers on joint presentations, site visits and individual appointments. Reviews external communications and monitors vendor websites to ensure accuracy with plan documents.
12. Manages annual census audit and periodic DRB audits.
13. Responds to inquiries from employees, administrators, and the public, interpreting state laws, Anchorage School Board policies, negotiated agreements, and benefits business practices.
14. Develops and maintains training materials and process manuals. Trains staff and other departments as needed.
15. Exemplifies and ensures a department service culture of excellence in customer service and collaboration with Benefits internal and external customers.
16. Collaborates with leadership in review and monitoring of benefit business practices, including but not limited to department operations, onboarding practices, contract/law compliance, and records management, counseling Benefits staff and customers on these areas.
17. Collaborates with the senior director in the management, maintenance, and auditing benefits data and required reports.
18. Develops, prepares, generates, and analyzes ongoing and ad-hoc reports pertaining to benefits information.
19. Adapts established procedures to practical situations, makes decisions, develops recommendations for system improvements, manages multiple tasks, organizes, plans, prioritizes and implements/completes assignments.
20. Assists in development of departmental goals, objectives, and systems.
21. Communicates effectively verbally and in writing with all levels of management, supervision, and other ASD personnel.
22. Establishes and maintains productive working relationships with others, especially from a consultative perspective.

Physical /Mental Demands
The physical demands of this job require frequent standing, walking, sitting, speaking and hearing. Specific visual abilities are also required. The employee is regularly required to reach with his/her hands and arms and occasionally lift items weighing less than 40 lbs. Additionally, the employee must be able to understand vague and implicit instructions, be able to readily recall facts and details, handle conflict and make effective decisions under pressure. The employee must have the ability to effectively manage the stress of working with students, parents, and other employees representing diverse cultures, personalities, and work styles in a dynamic work environment.

The Anchorage School District is committed to providing reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all individuals with a qualified physical or mental disability.

Work Environment
Work is performed in a professional environment with a wide variety of individuals having differing functions, personalities and abilities, including working with diverse groups of people in a variety of different settings.

While performing the duties of this job the employee may be regularly exposed to a video display. The employee may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Additional Job Information
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job related duties as requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

Anchorage School District (ASD) employees must possess the ability to read and write in English. This also includes the ability to communicate in English with school staff, co-workers, and the public; as well as have the ability to comprehend and carry out oral and written directions and understand and follow English instructions and written documents.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a satisfactory criminal background check. For certificated positions, this is in addition to the background check conducted through the certification process with the Alaska State Department of Education and Early Development (DEED).

This position may be required to work in ASD facilities on the military installations (JBER). Please visit the government REAL ID website for additional information.

The Anchorage School District is an equal employment opportunity employer.