VP, Corporate Services (Human Resources)

The VP, Corporate Services provides planning, leadership, and strategic vision related to Blue Grass Energy human resources functions in support of the cooperative's mission, vision and business objectives.

This position oversees key human resources functions, including compliance, on-boarding, recommendation of policies, procedures and practices, safety, benefits/wage studies and labor relations. This role requires a skilled HR professional with advanced knowledge of employment laws and regulations to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

The VP, Corporate Services is responsible for supporting management with employee relations and performance management, conducting routine audits, and collaborating with senior leadership.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintains confidentiality of all Human Resource Department activities to protect the privacy of employees and management.
• Administers the employee benefit programs, including claims resolution, change reporting and communicating benefits information.
• Responsible for preparation and dissemination for mass distribution to all employees, such as summary plan descriptions, summary annual reports, and other documents as required. Keeps log of distributed materials to employees.
• Assists employees with open enrollment; provides information and assistance to employees, retirees, and directors.
• Assists employees, retirees, and directors in understanding their benefit programs and educates them by explaining programs, providing reference materials, and completing necessary forms to implement the appropriate changes to individual needs.
• Initiates and processes notification to NRECA and insurance providers of employee retirements and separations. Processes change due to marriage, divorce, death, COBRA (Infinisource) regulations or other eligibility requirements.
• Ensures compliance with all laws as they relate to employment policies and procedures.
• Maintains and monitors compliance of federal, state and local employment laws.
• Administers the FMLA and Hardship Leave policies, ensuring compliance with regulations and policies.
• Assists with hiring process, including advertising/posting open positions, coordinating interviews, conducting reference and background checks, drafting of acceptance letters.
• Maintains confidential personnel files and records on all employees.
• Manages new hire on-boarding processes including enrolling new employees in company group benefit plans and completing documents necessary for payroll setup and regulatory compliance.
• Assists in creating, reviewing, modifying and maintaining all company policies and procedures.
• Creates, reviews, modifies, and maintains job descriptions for each position at Blue Grass Energy.
• Completes and submits paperwork to external agencies including worker's compensation claims, unemployment claims, verification of employment, etc.
• Ensures that safety criteria and procedures are implemented and followed.
• Maintains OSHA Logs and keeps updated with each reportable injury. Posts OSHA Logs annually in all work locations.
• Maintains HR records on computer systems, including those pertaining to training and disciplinary actions.
• Administers wage and salary plan.
• Maintains, complies and reports Affirmative Action Plan, EEOC reporting and compliance, Vets 100 and Pay Equity reporting and compliance to third party vendor.
• Administers Blue Grass Energy service and retirement awards program.
• Assumes responsibility for handling member liability insurance claims which may include contacting claimant(s), filing claim and following up to ensure claim is handled correctly.
• Assumes responsibility for the timely filing of accident claims involving cooperative vehicles and cooperative property. Ensures that the cooperative receives correct reimbursement from insurance carrier.
• Assumes responsibility for the filing of worker's compensation claims. Ensure that the claim is processed correctly and timely. Files and maintains records pertaining to worker's compensation claims.
• Processes and maintains records pertaining to the cooperatives' participation in the NRECA Retirement Security Program, 401k Savings Program, HSA, Long-Term Disability Program, FMLA, Life Insurance Programs as well as group insurance benefits and COBRA.
• Manages employee participation in benefit programs including but not limited to medical, life, accident, cancer, vision and dental insurances, workers' compensation, and retirement in accordance with established guidelines.
• Acts as liaison for employees in requests for retirement benefit projections or other requests from NRECA.
• Prepares and distributes Performance Evaluation forms. Ensures process is completed in accordance with defined schedule.
• Prepares and trains employees as required.
• Processes employee "return to work" forms for personal and work-related absences.
• Serves as the compliance officer in relation to labor laws and agreements.
• Serves as a liaison between Union and Management.
• Functions as the cooperatives focal point in matters pertaining to union negotiations to include administration of the union contract.
• Maintains liaison with union representatives and members and the cooperative's labor attorney.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, or related field required.

A minimum of 5 years of experience in a human resources capacity is preferred.

Working experience with labor unions and CBAs (collective bargaining agreements).

Required to maintain PHR or SPHR certification

Blue Grass Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer