Chandra Klusmann
Dickinson,ND
Summary
Flexible and focused team player with expertise in customer relationship management, HR proficiencies and employer plan benefits. Considered highly knowledgeable in multiple areas of HR and employee benefits, with the ability to uphold the highest level of confidentiality.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Benefits Specialist
Steffes
09.2022 - 01.2026
- Plan and Administer Benefits: Develop and maintain benefit packages such as health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement plans, and FMLA
- Compliance: Ensure benefits meet federal, state, and industry regulations.
- Employee Communication: Educate staff on benefits options, enrollments, and changes; conduct open enrollment sessions and benefit presentations.
- Enrollment & Changes: Process new-hire enrollments, plan changes, and terminations accurately and on time.
- Claims & Disputes: Handle employee claims, resolve disputes with insurance carriers, and process disability or leave-of-absence paperwork.
- Vendor & HRIS Coordination: Liaise with insurance providers, benefits vendors, and HR systems to ensure smooth operations.
- Reporting: Prepare reports on benefits usage, costs, and trends for management review.
- Wellness Programs: Support or manage wellness initiatives, including training and participation.
- FMLA Benefits: Administer and track leave of absences, FMLA & Non-FMLA.
Trust Administrator
Bravera Wealth
04.2015 - 09.2022
- Administer participant record keeping such as eligibility for participants, vesting schedules, account balances, and investment returns.
- Works closely with team members to deliver project requirements, develop solutions and meet deadlines.
- Take inbound calls from established customers to assist with retirement planning.
- Research and correct customer issues in areas such as plan benefits, coverage eligibility and claims processes.
- Counseled clients on financial matters and provided recommendations on investment opportunities, products and services based on the client needs.
- Initiates transactions for participants including loans, withdrawals, market trades, paycheck deductions, rollovers, hardship request and QDRO’s.
- Conducts group and 1-1 retirement plan reviews.
- Supported office operations, managed client correspondence, tracked records and handled internal communications.
Human Resource Specialist
Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing
12.2013 - 03.2015
- Conducted reference and background checks on all job applicants
- Developed creative recruiting strategies that met anticipated staffing needs
- Communicated the duties, compensation, benefits and working conditions to all potential candidates
- Contacted all job applicants to inform them of their application status
- Supported employee relocation and integration by helping new hires establish housing, schooling and registration
- Drafted internal announcements and sent them in a timely manner
- Recruited for various positions across multiple sites in North Dakota
- Offered necessary referral support for the Employee Assistance Program
- Managed all aspects of the employee life cycle process, including on and off boarding
- Reviewed federal and state laws to confirm and enforce company compliance
- Advised top management on appropriate employee corrective actions
- Supported 250 employees at all levels, including executive leadership
- Assessed and filtered resumes from potential job candidates to identify qualified individuals.
- Supported clients with HR practice development and program creation and handled performance evaluations, job descriptions and salary ranges.
- Oversaw enrollment of new employees and company-wide yearly enrollment period.
- Provided assistance to plan participants by explaining benefits information to ensure educated selections.
- Reviewed employee enrollments to verify accuracy, inputting information into company database.
- Designed electronic file systems and maintained electronic and paper files
Recruiting Specialist
UCP Personnel Services
02.2013 - 12.2013
- Managed payroll and time and attendance systems
- Responded to employee inquiries regarding payroll and timekeeping
- Executed 5 weekly cold calls to top level executives to increase client base
- Onboarded new employees in the time reporting and payroll systems
- Contacted new and existing customers to discuss how their needs could be met with specific products and services
- Quoted prices, credit terms and other bid specifications
- Managed the receptionist area, including greeting visitors and responding to telephone and in-person requests for information
- Designed electronic file systems and maintained electronic and paper files
- Served as central point of contact for all outside vendors needing to gain access to the building
- Organized files, developed spreadsheets, faxed reports and scanned documents
- Managed daily office operations and maintenance of equipment.
Domestic Violence Victim Advocate
Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Center
01.2008 - 11.2011
- Supported crisis intervention and advocacy for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault crimes.
- Delivered on-call and overnight support to victims and witnesses for 24-hour call center and domestic violence shelter.
- Acted as liaison between victims and law enforcement agencies to assist with filing police reports and explain informed consent.
- Completed detailed documentation of sessions, patient notes and recommendations.
- Created awareness of victims’ rights and services by delivering presentations to agencies, schools and community groups.
- Obtain a high level of confidentiality.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Human Resource Management & Business Administration, Management
Dickinson State University
Dickinson, ND12-2015
Skills
- Client relationship building
- Fundraising skills
- Communication
- MS Office
- Multitasking
- Decision-making
- Personnel engagement
- Team building and workplace fun organizer
Timeline
Benefits Specialist
Steffes
09.2022 - 01.2026
Trust Administrator
Bravera Wealth
04.2015 - 09.2022
Human Resource Specialist
Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing
12.2013 - 03.2015
Recruiting Specialist
UCP Personnel Services
02.2013 - 12.2013
Domestic Violence Victim Advocate
Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Center
01.2008 - 11.2011
Bachelor of Science - Human Resource Management & Business Administration, Management
Dickinson State University