Sr. Leaves & Accommodation Specialist

Application close date:

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!  

We are a team of collaborators, doers, and problem- solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.  

We are looking for someone to apply their leave expertise to deliver leave of absence, disability, and accommodation services to Blue Origin employees and positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities:

Serve as Senior Leaves & Accommodations Specialist for the Benefits Team with responsibilities to include, but not limited to:

• Act as a liaison between Blue Origin and its leaves administrator, Matrix

• Provide leaves case management oversight, answering complex questions, understanding the employee's situation, applying the appropriate benefits, responding to changing circumstances and needs, and paving the way for a connected and trusted case management experience.

• Engage with employee, manager, and HR Business Partners throughout the life cycle of the leave, from initiation to return to work, answering questions and mentoring them throughout the process

• Actively support and promote an environment of partnership and consultation between employees and our leave administrator, Matrix

• Maintain communication with the employee, manager, and HR Business Partner to facilitate a smooth and timely leave process

• Serve as subject matter authority for the leave programs in alignment with company policies and processes

• Collaborates with key business partners and leaders to ensure specialized leave policy programs are successful across the organization

• Serve as a subject matter authority for specialized leave and disability cases offering real-time support to employees

• Lead all administrative aspects of leave cases to include tracking of the leave, PTO usage while on leave, and liaising with Reliance/Matrix and payroll to ensure accurate leave dates and pay for an employee

• Lead group and one-to-one consultation sessions about leave and disability events, benefits, and options available to employees

• Critically assess and adjust case management plans to an employee's changing needs

• Collaborate with legal and compliance partners on regulatory/employment liability issues as they relate to complex cases and/or policy development with leave, disability and/or accommodation

• Act as the Point of Contact for senior leadership on raised, time-sensitive matters

• Identify and tackle problems, sometimes with limited information

• Identify process and/or performance deficiencies and implement improvement plan

• Build and maintain effective partnerships with internal and external team members

• Build trust and confidence in the Benefits and Leaves Team through proactive partner interactions.

• Address and respond to confidential and/or raised situations (e.g. legal requests, executive issues, business continuity responses)

• Preserves confidentiality of employee medical documentation

• Maintains current knowledge of all applicable leave and accommodation laws including FMLA, ADA, state, and local laws

• Partner with HR Business Partners to review claims status and develop strategies to address/resolve leave claims issues

• Performs related duties as specified by Sr. Manager, Benefits

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree or 5 years Benefits related experience with a minimum 3 years of relevant experience in Disability and Leave Administration.

• Deep subject matter expertise with demonstrated expertise in statutory disability plans, short- and long-term disability, disability accommodation (ADA/ADAAA/FEHA, etc.) and/or Federal/State leaves of absence (FMLA).

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required.

• Computer proficiency and technical competence with the ability to use Microsoft products, including PowerPoint; experience with HRIS and benefits databases.

• Project and team management/leadership skills and experience.

• Ability to work effectively in a team environment with associates.

• Effective planning and priority setting. Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines.

• Strong analytical skills and a detailed knowledge of plan designs.

• Ability to understand, evaluate and make judgment on proposals (RFPs).

• Knowledge of benefits contract language.

• Knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements, both adopted and pending, affecting employee benefits programs, including the ACA, ERISA, USERRA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, workers' compensation, Medicare, OBRA, and Social Security and DOL requirements.

• Excellent communication and organization skills.

• Solid analytical capabilities, decision making skills and ability to exercise appropriate judgement.

• Strong organization skills: ability to effectively prioritize workflow from multiple sources.

• Ability to meet deadlines, work with a sense of urgency and flex to the work style of others.

• Strong quality orientation with an attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

• High learning agility; strong initiative; self-starter with a positive attitude.

• Solid sense of integrity and ability to effectively manage and maintain confidentiality of information.

• Ability to handle confidential information with appropriate discretion.

• Self-directed; accountable

• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion. 

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.  
   

Compensation Range for:

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check

• Required for Certain Job Profiles:  Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification, Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.

Benefits

• Benefits include:  Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.

• Paid Time Off:  Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

• Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.

• Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

California Applicant Privacy Notice

If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.