Benefits Administrator

Job Title: Benefit Administrator

Reports to: Lead Benefit Administrator

Office Location: Renton, WA

Worksite Designation: Hybrid

Live in the Puget Sound Region of the State of Washington with a reasonable commute to Renton, WA. Approximately 50%—75% of the work is telework, and 50%—25% is in-person at our office, off-site, or partner locations. Must come into the office on an as-needed basis.

Organizational Overview:

The SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training Fund (Training Fund) is a non-profit, labor/management partnership including eight major healthcare employers and the largest healthcare union in Washington State. The Training Fund was formed in 2008 and is a statewide program that addresses the workforce needs of participating employers and supports the career, knowledge, and skill aspirations of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW members.The Training Fund is the sponsor of the state-registered Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium (HCAC) and of the Virtual Healthcare Institute (VHI) serving a range of regional employers, unions, union members, and student candidates.

Position Overview:

The SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training Fund (Training Fund) is a non-profit, labor/management partnership between many major healthcare employers and the largest healthcare union in Washington State. The Training Fund is a statewide program for addressing the workforce needs of participating employers and supporting the career, knowledge, and skill aspirations of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW members. This is an exciting opportunity to facilitate the provision of financial assistance and other academic support to WA State healthcare workers as they pursue their education and move up the career ladder. This position regularly deals with stakeholders, including but not limited to students/members, contributing healthcare employers, and Union staff.

The Benefit Administrator plays a key role in the Training Fund administrative team by functioning as a reviewer and approver of all tuition assistance and professional development benefits. This position provides administrative guidance and expertise for Training Fund benefits and prepares benefit paperwork for Training Fund eligible members. The Benefit Administrator works closely with the Lead Benefit Administrator on training new MSR staff, reviewing administrative processes and procedures, monitoring reports and dashboards, and identifying areas of improvement. This position also works closely with the Senior Manager of Programs to resolve member issues and provides direct customer service to members as required.

This position, along with others in the Training Fund, is responsible for the safe, professional, and equal opportunity operation of all Training Fund activities. The candidate must be willing to travel and work evenings and weekends as required.

Essential Job Functions:

Incumbent must have the skills, abilities and judgment to perform the following essential job duties and responsibilities, with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Review and final sign off on all benefit requests in Education Services including tuition assistance, professional development requests, conference and travel requests, certifications, licensure renewal, and others.
• Review and final sign off on benefit requests need for Education Programs (our Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs) including supportive services, stipends, and tuition vouchers.
• Review the high volume of member and participant benefit requests, including following multi-step and complex compliance standards.
• Monitor Salesforce reports and dashboards to ensure timely and accurate processing of benefit vouchers and reimbursements.
• Work closely with our Lead Benefit Administrator (LBA) and Member Service Representatives (MSRs) to ensure timely processing of benefit reimbursements and vouchers.
• With LBA, and with an eye toward continuous improvement, build new and refine current benefit processes, including the creation of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Assist in training and supporting MSR team in learning new and refined processes.
• Respond to email inquiries delivered to a shared inbox;
• Handle incoming telephone calls and direct callers to the appropriate information or person.
• Work closely with our Intake Coordinators and Resource Specialists (ICRSs) and Regional Educational Navigators (RENs) on processing benefit reimbursements and vouchers.
• Work closely with our Educational Programs Lead to ensure timely processing of requests and vouchers connected to our Education Programs (Pre-Apprenticeship/Apprenticeship).
• Maintain meticulous attention to detail while verifying member eligibility for requested benefits and documenting as required.
• Provide back up to MSRs for benefit processing (cannot also act as reviewer on benefits that have been processed as lead).
• Act as an organizational leader and representative in all situations, setting a strong example for other staff regarding work expectations and organizational commitment.
• Take an active approach to problem solving and process improvement.
• Communicate openly with team members at all times.
• Maintain respectful relationships across the team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Superior customer service skills;
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse member population including non-native English speakers;
• High level of organization, record keeping, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work with minimal day-to-day direction and supervision while meeting deadlines;
• Five years’ experience providing administrative support services;
• Budget management experience is a plus;
• Experience working with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and standard business software;
• Ability to learn customized database software;
• Ability to uphold the confidentiality of members’ data;
• Ability to effectively interact with members, management, staff, board, vendors, consultants, and the public;
• Ability to maintain focus with frequent interruptions;
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment;
• Ability to operate multi-line telephone system;
• Strong teamwork skills;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal;
• Must be committed to working within a labor/management environment;
• Bilingual skills a strong plus.

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Experience working with diverse populations; understanding of accelerated learning platforms and/or education or apprenticeship programs;
• Experience or knowledge of registered apprenticeship as a system;
• Experience working with Salesforce;
• Bilingual skills preferred.

Required Items:

• Successful completion of background check
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License and access to a reliable insured vehicle
• Needs to live in or move to the State of Washington in assigned region.
• COVID-19 complete vaccination, shot documentation required or proof of meeting state or federal law, including medical disability under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines, for not vaccinating

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in subject(s) applicable to the work or equivalent lived experience related to job skills and duties.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
• Must be able to access and navigate the TF’s facilities, partner organizations, and classroom locations

Work Environment: Hybrid

This position provides services primarily in Washington State remotely and in person. Training Fund educational operations include limited program work in Oregon and Alaska. The position requires various “in-person” involvement with apprentices, employers, instructors, and community partners at multiple locations; other portions of this role will be split between telework work and the Training Fund office. This position will require travel on an as-needed basis and during some non-traditional hours (early mornings, later evenings, and occasional weekends) to meet with participants and attend meetings at locations such as hospitals, schools, public places (community buildings, event venues, etc.), and partner organization sites. Note: COVID restrictions may require a higher level of remote work.

Compensation:

• Compensation Range: $32.66-$44.15 hourly, DOE
• Above average retirement package
• FTE, non-exempt position

Other Benefits:

• Generous vacation and sick leave days
• Medical insurance paid in full for yourself and eligible dependents through Kaiser Permanente
• Dental insurance paid in full for yourself and eligible dependents through MetLife
• Disability and life Insurance through the Hartford Group
• LinkedIn learning membership
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 11 Annual Paid Holidays, 3 personal holidays and winter break (closed 12/24 – 12/31)
• Two volunteer days

May be eligible for the following incidental benefits:

• Gym/trainer membership stipend
• Work-related professional development reimbursement
• Internet stipend (full-time “telework” or “hybrid” staff who are not provided inter access through other means)
• Commute stipend (“Occasional” worksite designated positions only)

Please Apply:

We welcome candidates who:

• Demonstrate the skills, abilities, and experience needed for this role regardless of education and compensation history.
• Are inspired by our values of integrity, collaboration, innovation, equity, and outcome oriented.
• Are willing to grow in personal and professional learnings of social and racial justice.
• Demonstrate a commitment to improving outcomes for candidates for health care positions and incumbent health care workers furthering their careers.