Benefits Specialist

Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l. • Tysons, VA

77d • $80,884 - $115,549 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), a prominent airline pilot union, is seeking an experienced Benefits Specialist for its Tysons (McLean), Virginia office. This role involves collaborating with other Benefits Specialists, Benefits Attorneys, and the Retirement & Insurance (R&I) team to assist pilot governing bodies with their employee benefits programs, focusing on group life, health, dental, disability, and Section 125 plans. The Benefits Specialist will provide technical support on benefit issues to R&I staff and pilot representatives, demonstrate familiarity with summary plan descriptions and benefit plan documents, and possess knowledge of ERISA and the tax code. Responsibilities include drafting and reviewing benefit-related communications for Master Executive Committee (MEC) publications, preparing quarterly R&I newsletters, assisting in the preparation of retirement, insurance, and welfare benefit proposals for negotiations, and participating in the training of R&I pilot committee members through presentations at training events and seminars. The role also involves providing technical assistance to Labor Relations Counsels and potentially acting as an in-house consultant on benefit-related matters. A thorough understanding of employee benefits, current trends, and legislation is essential, with an expectation to stay current in these areas. Local, national, and international travel is required at 10-20%.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant area (e.g., Business, Human Resources, Pre-Law) from an accredited college or university, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five (5) 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.
• 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.
• Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook required.

Nice To Haves

• Airline and/or union experience a plus.
• Certification as an Employee Benefits Paralegal or Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) preferred but not required.
• PHR and/or SPHR SHRM certifications a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide 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.
• Provide technical support on benefit issues to the R&I staff and pilot representatives.
• Draft and review benefit-related communications for Master Executive Committee (MEC) publications.
• Prepare quarterly R&I newsletters for distribution.
• Assist in the preparation of retirement, insurance, and welfare benefit proposals for negotiations.
• Participate in the training of R&I pilot committee members by preparing and giving presentations at benefits training events and various R&I seminars.
• Provide technical assistance to Labor Relations Counsels.
• Act as an in-house consultant on benefit-related matters.

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.
• Employees can choose to make pre-tax, Roth, and after-tax contributions to the 401(k).
• The plan permits in-plan Roth conversions and has a 4-year vesting schedule.
• The 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), which includes coverage for medical, dental, and vision benefits for the employee, their spouse, and/or dependent children.
• Employees do not have to pay premiums if they enroll in the Aetna High Deductible Health Plan or the Kaiser HMO Plan.
• 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).
• 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 are available after six months of service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level