Benefits Specialist

About the role

The Benefits Specialist works collaboratively with the Association’s current Benefits Specialists, Benefits Attorneys, and other members of the Retirement & Insurance (R&I) team in providing assistance to pilot governing bodies on all subjects that affect their employee benefits program(s), particularly group life, health, dental, disability, and Section 125 plans. The role provides technical support on benefit issues to the R&I staff and pilot representatives; has familiarity with summary plan descriptions and other benefit plan documents; familiarity with ERISA and the tax code; drafts and reviews benefit-related communications for Master Executive Committee (MEC) publications; prepares quarterly R&I newsletters for distribution; assists in the preparation of retirement, insurance, and welfare benefit proposals for negotiations; participates in the training of R&I pilot committee members by preparing and giving presentations at benefits training events and various R&I seminars; provides technical assistance to Labor Relations Counsels; and may act as an in-house consultant on benefit-related matters. The successful candidate will have a thorough understanding of employee benefits, current trends and legislation, and will be expected to remain current in these areas. Local, national, and international travel: 10 – 20%.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area (e.g., Business, Human Resources, Pre-Law) from an accredited college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five years of experience working in employee benefits required; more strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of the design and operation of retirement and welfare benefits required.
• Working knowledge of legal requirements applicable to retirement and welfare benefits (e.g., ERISA, ACA, FMLA, HIPAA, and Internal Revenue Code) required.
• Ability to interpret benefit laws, policies, and processes.
• Airline and/or union experience a plus.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, oral and written, for effective interaction with MEC members, MEC committees, individual members, internal staff, and external contacts.
• Demonstrated ability working as an integral part of a team.
• Certification as an Employee Benefits Paralegal or Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) preferred but not required.
• PHR and/or SPHR or SHRM certifications a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook required.

Physical Demands

Constantly operates a computer/smartphone/tablet. Regularly required to maintain a stationary position, move about the office and the local metropolitan area, determine what others have said or written, and converse with others and exchange accurate information. Regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about the office and travel (locally, nationally, and internationally). Occasional bending, stooping, squatting, pushing and pulling or moving (e.g., to pack, unpack, and/or move cases). Occasionally required to move, raise, reach, and/or retrieve binders, boxes, and files up to ten pounds. While on travel, may be responsible to move, raise, reach, and/or retrieve luggage weighing as much as 50 pounds (assistance may not always be available).

Benefits

• 401k Plan with non-elective employer contribution of 12% plus 2% contribution into a Market-Based Cash Balance Plan (MBCBP) after 180 days of employment; no employee contribution required. Employee may make pre-tax, Roth, and after-tax contributions; plan permits in-plan Roth conversions and has a 4-year vesting schedule. MBCBP has a 3-year cliff vesting period.
• Generous health care benefits on day one: Aetna PPO Plan, Aetna High Deductible Health Plan, and a Kaiser HMO Plan (where available), including coverage for medical, dental, and vision for the employee, their spouse, and/or dependent children. No premiums for the Aetna High Deductible Health Plan or Kaiser HMO Plan when elected.
• 15 days paid vacation and 13 holidays per year plus 2 volunteer days per year.
• Generous sick and bereavement leave; competitive parental leave.
• Company-paid coverage for long term disability, life insurance, and accidental death & dismemberment.
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings accounts.
• Retiree health plan and a retiree health account (retiree HRA); funds can be used to pay for eligible medical expenses in retirement.
• Education Assistance Program that reimburses 100% of eligible expenses.
• Optional benefits include a legal plan, supplemental life insurance, college 529 plan, pet insurance, long term care insurance, and qualified transportation fringe benefits (where available).
• Partial remote work opportunities available after six months of service.

Pay

Projected annual salary range: $80,884.00 – $115,549.00