HR Business Partner

Job Title: HR Business Partner
Job Classification: Exempt, Full-time
Reporting Relationship: VP of Safety and Workforce Readiness
Work Location: Topeka, KS

Free State is the largest rural electric cooperative in Eastern Kansas, with more than 15,000 member-owners. It functions as a democratic, not-for-profit organization. We are controlled by our members who actively participate in setting cooperative policy and making decisions in the best interest of the cooperative. Unlike investor-owned utilities, our profits are returned to our members as capital credits.

• Generous pension plan
• 401(k) matched savings
• Medical, dental and vision insurance paid for at 100% for individual coverage and 90% for family coverage
• Health savings account with an annual generous employer contribution
• Life insurance, long-term disability, paid time off benefits, including paid holidays, and so much more.
• On-the-job safety training, professional development opportunities and an employee focused work culture

Each of our positions has a designated salary range. This position's salary range starts at $77,237. Starting wage is based on knowledge, education and experience.

The HR Business Partner oversees and assists with the administration of Human Resources (HR) activities on a professional level and carries out responsibilities in benefits administration, performance management, recruitment/employment, onboarding, employment law compliance, and policy implementation.

• Coordinates and administers benefit plans including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance plans, health spending accounts, retirement plans, employee assistance programs, vacation and sick leave benefits, and the Cooperative's wellness program.
• Distributes, records, and stores regulatory compliance documents including summary annual reports (SAR), summary of benefits and coverage (SBC), summary of material modifications (SMM), summary plan descriptions (SPD), CHIPAA notices, women's health notices, COBRA, etc.
• Completes annual retirement compliance documents, workers' compensation audit reports, and distributes non-discrimination reports to appropriate personnel.
• Processes routine employee events such as address changes, name changes, adding or removing dependents, etc. Addresses employee concerns and issues in a timely manner.
• Assists with developing goals and objectives in accordance with the strategic initiatives of the Cooperative. Aligns HR practices with business objectives, provides guidance, and partners with leadership to drive organizational success.
• Assists with the Cooperative's compensation and benefits policies with Department Managers to maintain competitive programs and ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
• Compiles and distributes annual total compensation summaries for all employees and submits annual salary data file.
• Partners with business leaders to plan, implement, and evaluate employee relations cooperative policies, programs, and practices, ensuring compliance with various laws and regulations.
• Administers the FMLA program in accordance with legal requirements and assists with Department Managers and Supervisors on how to communicate FMLA with human resources.
• Promptly responds to notices of unemployment claims and keeps cooperative management apprised of benefits awarded to former employees.
• Facilitates the performance management program and ensures all employees have timely performance reviews. Facilitates training on Free State's performance management practices.
• Assists the Operations Department with scheduling and facilitating personnel advancements through the Merchant Job Training and Safety Program, the Right-of-Way Apprenticeship Program, probationary periods, etc.
• Assists cooperative management on the Cooperative's policy matters such as coaching, disciplining, terminating, and other employee relations, including workplace investigations in accordance with grievances or harassment.
• Maintains DOT driver qualification files, as well as ensures DOT employees have current medical examiner certifications, driver's license, physicals, safety performance history requests, fort passes, etc. Ensures MVRs and DOT queries are conducted on an annual basis.
• Schedules and facilitates drug and alcohol screenings based on the substance abuse policy.
• Facilitates new employee orientation/onboarding and ensures new employees receive proper education and training in the…