Workers Compensation Specialist DOE

Guided by our purpose, core values, and leadership principles, we are creating an airline people love. Our corporate teams set the strategies and operational plans to ensure the success of our company. Whether we use our expertise in accounting, human resources, finance, planning, legal, marketing, or any of our operational divisions, our shared passion for travel and our guests is what motivates us to achieve excellence each day. If you share our passion for creating an airline people love, we want to hear from you. 

The Workers’ Compensation Specialist is responsible for providing guidance and assisting in delivering training in workers’ compensation while supporting assigned work group(s). This position advises employees and frontline leaders of their responsibilities under applicable state Workers’ Compensation regulations, related collective bargaining agreement provisions and company policies at Alaska Air Group.

The Senior Workers' Compensation Specialist is a subject matter expert in workers' compensation programs and practices at AS and QX. As an individual contributor, this role exercises considerable judgment to make decisions within the scope of complex claims management, compliance, and program strategy, and provides recommendations to address operational challenges, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement opportunities in the workers' compensation space.

Professional 2 – Intermediate Level.

• Manage workers’ compensation claims and processes for assigned work group(s) with a primary focus on Care of the injured employee, claim filing & processing, return to work (modified duty), company policies and procedures, and workers’ compensation regulations.
• Partner with Risk Management on the identification of claims needing legal review and claims already in litigated status, collaborating and providing support where necessary.
• Apply expertise in workers’ compensation to interpret state regulations, company procedures, and collective bargaining agreements in order to assist leaders and employees with workers' compensation claims.
• With limited direction from leadership, work independently to research and resolve worker’s compensation issues including driving resolution with internal stakeholders and vendors.
• Provide guidance and support to employees who are navigating the workers’ compensation process. Coordinate additional assistance from other areas of the organization when needed.

Professional 3 – Expert Level.

• Act as a subject matter expert in workers compensation to consult and manage complex workers’ compensation claims and processes for assigned work group(s) with a primary focus on Care of the injured employee, claim filing & processing, return to work (modified duty), company policies and procedures, and workers’ compensation regulations. The work groups assigned to this level will include complexity with collective bargaining agreements (CBAs).
• Partner with Risk Management on the identification of claims needing legal review and claims already in litigated status, collaborating and providing support where necessary.
• Apply expertise in workers compensation to interpret state regulations, company procedures, and collective bargaining agreements in order to assist leaders and employees with workers' compensation claims.
• With minimal direction from leadership, exercise considerable judgement to make decisions in resolving complex worker’s compensation issues including driving resolution with internal stakeholders and vendors.
• Analyze injury-related trends and make recommendations to leadership to address workplace injury and prevention.
• Guide and coach others, including delivering training, mentoring and advising junior team members as well as influencing and educating stakeholders.
• Develop processes and refine existing workflows across the department to ensure timely updates to standard operating procedures (SOP) and handbooks, etc. maximize program effectiveness and efficiency.

Required Professional 2 Intermediate level:

• 2 years of experience worker’s compensation, accommodations, or leave / disability discipline, or exposure to these areas as an HR Business Partner.
• Bachelor’s degree, or an additional two years of relevant training/experience in lieu of this degree.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, organizational skills, interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and ensuring HIPPA compliance.
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to focus under pressure to meet strict production deadlines.
• Experience interpreting and applying regulations, policies, and procedures, including collective bargaining agreement (CBA) provisions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), as well as web-based vendor systems and PeopleSoft or similar HRIS.
• Must be dependable and self-motivated, with a willingness to continue one’s professional development.
• A positive and professional demeanor, with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum age of 18.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Required Professional 3 Expert level:

• 4 years of experience in worker’s compensation, accommodations, or leave / disability discipline, or exposure to these areas as an HR Business Partner.
• Bachelor’s degree, or an additional two years of relevant training/experience in lieu of this degree.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, organizational skills, interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and ensuring HIPPA compliance.
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to focus under pressure to meet strict production deadlines.
• Ability to exercise considerable judgment and initiative, often with minimal supervision.
• Experience dissecting current processes, identify inefficiencies and promote change.
• Experience interpreting and applying regulations, policies, and procedures, including collective bargaining agreement (CBA) provisions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), as well as web-based vendor systems and PeopleSoft or similar HRIS.
• Must be dependable and self-motivated, with a willingness to continue one’s professional development.
• A positive and professional demeanor, with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum age of 18.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

• Embody our values to own safety, do the right thing, be caring and kind, and deliver performance. 
• Create a culture where all employees feel safe and they belong.

Pay will be based on multiple factors, including and not limited to location, relevant experience/level and skillset while balancing internal equity relative to other Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon employees. Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon is committed to fair, unbiased compensation along with competitive benefits in all locations in which we operate.

Note: We don’t typically hire at the top of the range.

Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air pay and benefits can vary by company, location, number of regularly scheduled hours worked, length of employment, and employment status.

• Free stand-by travel privileges on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air
• Comprehensive well-being programs including medical, dental and vision benefits
• Generous 401k match program
• Quarterly and annual bonus plans
• Generous holiday and paid time off
   

For more information about Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon Total Rewards please visit our career site and view benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement  
It is the policy of Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment and to ensure equal opportunity in all terms, conditions, and benefits of employment or potential employment.   

We also prohibit discrimination and harassment against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex,

national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected categories.  

We have established an EEO Compliance Program under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 503”) and the Vietnam Era Veteran’s Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (“VEVRAA”).  All applicants and employees are treated without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. In addition, we have established an audit and reporting system to allow for effective measurement of its equal employment opportunity activities.   

To implement this policy, we will: 

(1) Recruit, hire, train and promote qualified persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and any other legally protected categories; 

(2) Ensure that employment decisions are based only on valid job requirements; and 

(3) Ensure that all personnel actions and employment activities such as compensation, benefits, promotions, layoffs, return from layoff,

Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air sponsored programs, and tuition assistance will be administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected categories. 

Employees and applicants for employment will not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion or discrimination because they have engaged or may engage in (1) filing a complaint, (2) opposing any act or practice made unlawful by, or exercising any other right protected by, any Federal, State or local law requiring equal opportunity, including Section 503 and the equal opportunity provisions of VEVRAA, or (3) assisting or participating in any investigation, compliance evaluation, hearing, or any other activity related to the administration of any Federal, State or local law requiring equal opportunity, including Section 503 and the equal opportunity provisions  of VEVRAA. 

Government Contractor & Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulations 
Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air are regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT – regulations, 49 CFR part 40) and all applicants are advised that post-offer and/or pre-employment drug testing will be conducted to determine the presence of marijuana, cocaine, opioids, phencyclidine (PCP) and amphetamines or a metabolite of these drugs prior to any offer or employment or transfer into a safety-sensitive position. Failure to submit to testing or positive indications of drug use will render the applicant ineligible for employment with Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines/Horizon Air and any employment offer will be withdrawn.