Compensation and Benefits Specialist II

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Pension and retirement plans

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority seeks a Compensation and Benefits Specialist II to oversee pay programs, benefits administration, and retirement planning for employees. The role includes job analysis, market salary studies, and ensuring compliance with FMLA and related employment laws.

You will advise on eligibility, calculations, and communications, collaborating with HR and payroll to maintain accurate records and support organizational budgeting.

Qualifications

• Five years of progressively responsible experience in human resources activities with emphasis on benefits and/or compensation program administration
• Bachelor's degree in Human resources or related field, or equivalent experience
• Comprehensive knowledge of benefits and retirement programs
• Knowledge of job classification principles and development of job profiles
• Knowledge of job analysis and evaluation methods and base pay structures
• Knowledge of FLSA, Title VII, and related HR laws
• Ability to analyze data and make recommendations
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Proficient in spreadsheet software and office tools
• Experience with compensation and performance pay programs

Responsibilities

• Administers compensation programs including base pay, performance pay, and premium pay.
• Conducts job analyses, desk audits, and evaluations to create job descriptions and pay grades.
• Performs salary assessments and market analysis using industry surveys.
• Coordinates position management to support changes and budget alignment.
• Administers employee and retiree benefits and retirement programs and provides estimates.
• Monitors FMLA eligibility and tracks leave balances in compliance with federal requirements.
• Advises employees on benefit provisions and program options.
• Supports plan administrators, carriers, and payroll to resolve issues.
• Maintains pension records and submits data for actuarial valuations.
• Generates compensation and benefits reports and audits payroll data.
• Participates in retirement committee meetings as Secretary to support governance.
• Ensures regulatory compliance and updates policies as needed.

Skills

HR experience

Benefits administration

Job analysis

Compensation programs

FLSA knowledge

Data analysis

Confidentiality

Communication skills

Workday knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

Workday

Job description

Compensation Grade: S20

Salary Range: $94,665.00-$137,265.00

Opening Date: October 30, 2026

Closing Date: November 14, 2026

Compensation and Benefits Specialist II

As a Compensation and Benefits Specialist II, you will ensure that all Airports Authority employees are properly compensated for their efforts through properly performed job evaluations, classifications and pay programs, as well as advise on the Airports Authority benefits processes and retirement planning.

General Responsibilities

• Administers the Airports Authority's compensation programs, including base pay, performance pay, and premium pay, ensuring consistent application of policies and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Conducts job analyses, desk audits, and job evaluations to develop and maintain job descriptions, establish pay grades, and develop and validate job qualifications and pre-employment selection criteria.
• Conducts compensation studies, participates in salary surveys, and performs new hire salary assessments using industry tools and survey data to analyze market competitiveness and make recommendations.
• Coordinates position management activities, to support organizational changes, workforce planning, and budget alignment.
• Administers employee and retiree benefit and retirement programs, including health and welfare benefits, flexible spending accounts, donated leave, family and medical leave, long-term disability, and defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Determines eligibility, calculates applicable benefits and deferrals, and provides retirement and benefits estimates.
• Determines employee eligibility for Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave based on qualifying absences, tracks leave balances and ensures compliance with applicable federal requirements while providing guidance on employee rights and available resources.
• Monitors legislative and regulatory changes related to FMLA and other employee policies, evaluates potential impacts, and recommends updates to policies and practices to maintain Airports Authority compliance.
• Advises employees, retirees, and dependents on benefit and retirement program provisions, eligibility requirements, employee rights, and available resources.
• Counsels employees on complex or sensitive matters, prepares related correspondence, and coordinates with appropriate HR departments and supervisory personnel.
• Coordinates with plan administrators, insurance carriers, and the Payroll Office to support program administration and resolve issues.
• Maintains pension plan records, calculates distributions for non-vested separated employees, and submits required information to committees, trustees, and actuaries for plan administration and actuarial valuations.
• Prepares recurring and ad hoc compensation and benefits reports. Maintains, reconciles, and corrects employee compensation and benefits data in the Human Capital Management System (HCMS), performs complex data analysis, and audits payroll reports to verify the accuracy of employee deductions.
• Attends Thrift Savings Board meetings and supports the Manager in the role of Secretary to the Retirement Committee.
• Processes long-term disability applications, communicates eligibility determinations, and maintains active cases.
• Supports donated leave and wellness initiatives, including committee participation and coordination of the Donated Leave Open Season.
• Assists in preparing case files for investigations involving HR and benefits statutes and supports the consistent application of applicable policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Five years of progressively responsible experience in human resources activities with emphasis on benefits and/or compensation program administration, job analysis, evaluation, and a bachelor's degree in Human resources, or related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Comprehensive knowledge of benefits and retirement programs and the ability to apply it to program administration.
• Comprehensive knowledge of job classification principles and ability to apply principles in the development of job profiles and qualification requirements.
• Comprehensive knowledge of job analysis and evaluation methods and ability to conduct analyses for documentation, evaluations, and construction of job worth hierarchies, to develop base pay structures.
• Knowledge of job evaluation approaches and practices and ability to slot jobs within a job worth hierarchy.
• Knowledge of Federal laws and regulations pertaining to HR, particularly to benefit programs; the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as it pertains to compensation; and Title VII, Civil Rights Act of 1991, and the Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection procedures as they pertain to developing selection standards and minimum qualifications.
• Knowledge of survey methodology and analysis techniques.
• Ability to perform detailed analyses of data and information and make recommendations.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding compensation and employee information.
• Ability to use computer hardware and modern office suite software, with emphasis on spreadsheet software.
• Ability to speak and write effectively and make presentations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with employees, managers, and others.

Preferred Qualifications

Current Certification(s) in one or more of the following:

Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) from WorldatWork; Certification as a Compensation Management Specialist from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans or a fully equivalent certification; Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) through WorldatWork or an equivalent certification; Certification as a Group Benefit Associate (GBA); Certification as a Retirement Plan Associate (RPA); Certification as an Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS); SHRM People Analytics Specialty Credential.

Substantive experience in compensation and benefits program administration.

Experience working with Workday enterprise software.

Certifications and Licenses Required

A state driver's license in good standing.

Necessary Special Factors

Work is typically reviewed in progress and upon completion for quantity, quality, timeliness, teamwork, customer service, and other factors.

What We Offer

A career with the Airports Authority comes with more than just a paycheck; it offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family's health, financial security, and professional growth. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; well-being resources; health savings and flexible spending accounts; pension and retirement plans; and ongoing training and development opportunities. Discover more about our benefits package here.

A background security investigation will be required for all new hires.

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer.