Hybrid Benefits Generalist, Retirement at Anchorage School District
Anchorage School District · Anchorage, United States Of America · Hybrid
$78,795.00 - $82,515.00
- Professional
- Office in Anchorage
- Position Type:
Professionals and Supervisors/Generalist Benefits - Date Posted:
8/22/2025 - Location:
BENEFITS Additional Information: Show/Hide
| Benefits Generalist, Retirement | JobID: 21600 |
Bargaining Unit: Exempt
Work Year: 12 months
Work Day: 8 hours per day
FTE: Full time, 1.0 FTE
Salary: $78,795 to $82,515 , DOE
Job Summary
The Benefits Generalist supports the Anchorage School District’s retirement programs and health and welfare benefits through complex data analysis, reporting, monitoring and ensuring compliance with federal/state law, state statute, board policy and any other governing documents. The Generalist responds quickly and accurately to requests and solves complex data problems, collaborating with internal and external departments. Generalists collaborate with Human Resources staff in the management and maintenance of employee records and information systems, including confidential information relevant to benefits, employment actions, and collective bargaining. Generalists are responsible for ensuring confidentiality and compliance with laws and procedures. The position has a retirement association with the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS).
Job Requirements
The following are required:
1. A bachelor’s degree. Equivalent experience, education, and training may be considered in lieu of the degree requirement.
2. Attainment of one of the following certifications within 12 months of date of hire: Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) certification or Retirement Plan Associate (RPA) and SHRM-CP or PHR.
3. Three years of experience in employee benefits, human resources or retirement plans.
The following are preferred:
1. Thorough knowledge of ASD’s benefit plans/provisions and prior experience with human resources information systems.
2. Knowledge of Alaska statutes of the Teachers' and Public Employees' Retirement Systems (TRS and PERS).
3. Experience with governmental retirement plans.
4. Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word including high proficiency with spreadsheets and HRIS management tools.
5. Experience working within a large organization with a unionized workforce, particularly in a public school district or public higher education setting.
Essential Job Functions
Health & Welfare Benefits
1. Serves as contact for employees and vendors on ASD-supported benefits, addressing inquiries and resolving issues.
2. Assists in the development, implementation, and administration of new benefit programs and system enhancements.
3. Contributes to the creation and maintenance of training materials and internal/external benefit department communications.
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.
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