Benefits & Risk Officer

The Benefits and Risk Officer serves as the centralized leader, administrator, and coordinator for the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation’s self-insured employee benefits program. The position supports participating Tribal entities by coordinating program administration, implementation, communication, compliance activities, and governance processes. The Benefits and Risk Officer serves as the staff liaison to the Benefits Governance Board and is responsible for coordinating Board activities, implementing Board decisions, supporting vendor and broker relationships, maintaining benefits administration systems, facilitating training and onboarding activities, and promoting consistent administration across participating entities. This position will also support the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. The position exercises administrative and coordination authority but does not establish policy or make program decisions independently. Matters requiring policy direction or governance decisions are referred to the Benefits Governance Board, Tribal leadership, and/or Business Council as appropriate. This position supports risk management by focusing on compliance activities but is not responsible for organization-wide or enterprise risk management oversight or activities. This position provides coordination and support to HR departments across each of the Tribal entities that participate in the Tribes’ self-insured employee benefits program but is not responsible for executing HR work. Job Duties Benefits and Workers’ Compensation Administration and Strategy. Administer and coordinate the Tribe’s self-insured employee benefits and workers’ compensation programs across participating Tribal entities. Monitor program performance, trends, and emerging issues, and provide recommendations to support effective program administration and claim reduction. Conduct analysis and recommend long-term benefit strategies in collaboration with the Tribe’s benefits broker. Governance and Program Coordination Serve as the staff liaison to the Benefits Governance Board and the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. Coordinate Board meetings, prepare materials and reports, document decisions, and support implementation of Board-approved or Committee-approved actions. Provide administrative support for governance-related activities. Vendor and Stakeholder Management Serve as the primary point of coordination for brokers, carriers, third-party administrators, and other program vendors. Facilitate communication and collaboration among participating entities, leadership, vendors, and other stakeholders. Support vendor performance reviews and identify opportunities to improve program effectiveness and service delivery. Risk, Compliance, Training, and Communications Support compliance with applicable laws, regulations, Tribal code and policies, and confidentiality requirements, including but not limited to: Employee Insurance Programs Employee Retirement Plans Leave Administration Worker’s Compensation HIPPA regulations Develop and coordinate training, onboarding, employee communications, and educational materials related to benefits and workers’ compensation programs for staff and leadership across the Tribe’s organizations. Maintain and support consistent benefits-related policies, procedures, and administrative practices across participating entities. Reporting and Program Support Maintain access to program records, systems, and reporting tools and prepare reports, analyses, and recommendations for leadership and the Benefits Governance Board. Support special projects, process improvements, and other initiatives related to employee benefits, workers’ compensation, and risk management. Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in responding to changing systems, procedures, employee needs, and governmental priorities. Performs other duties as assigned. May be assigned duties under the Chehalis Tribe Emergency Management Plan and Program. Qualifications A Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Risk Management, or a related field and at least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in employee benefits administration, workers’ compensation administration, insurance administration, risk management, or a related field; or an Associate’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Risk Management, or related field and at least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in employee benefits administration, workers’ compensation administration, insurance administration, risk management, or a related field. Equivalent combinations of education, professional certifications, training, and relevant experience may be considered. Prefer experience with American Indian/Alaska Native communities. Must have a WA DL. #J-18808-Ljbffr