Position Emphasis: The position supports the NEA’s strategic goals in partnership with state and local affiliates to provide support and build organizational capacity. The position provides highly professional pension expertise in support of NEA’s Collective Bargaining and Member Advocacy Department retirement security advocacy programs. 

Position Summary:  The primary responsibilities of this position include analyzing and advocating for secure pension benefits for all educators.  The incumbent will provide professional assistance in initiating, developing, and implementing programs and activities related to public sector pension advocacy; research legal, financial, and benefits trends, and other retirement and Social Security issues. Other essential functions include developing publications and training programs to assure retirement and economic security of all education employees; engaging member trustees by developing relationships and providing training opportunities; and working in coalition with organizational partners focused on retirement security. The incumbent develops and uses computerized data systems, provides technical support to governance committees and cross-unit teams in the formulation and implementation of organizational policies, provides technical expertise and training on major retirement policy issues, including Social Security, defined benefit pensions, and other retirement plan designs, to affiliates and members who serve as trustees of public pension plans. This position is part of a team that analyzes trends and issues related to collective bargaining and compensation and advocates for improvements for education employees.  To carry out responsibilities, the employee uses a variety of NEAendorsed software and travels frequently.    

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the following is provided: The position involves use of effective oral and written communication and presentation skills; interpersonal skills; analytical and problem solving skills; creative/innovative thinking skills; personal computer or computer keyboard skills; and ability to travel by various conveyances, e.g., air and automobile.
 

Qualifications: Minimum Education Requirement: Master’s degree, or professional certification in Employee Benefits, Labor Relations, Public Policy, Economics, or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills may be acquired. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Five years’ experience working with pension plans, preferably public sector plans, to include progressively responsible professional experience in advocacy research, preferably in the public sector education employment field. Experience must include conceptualization, development, and strategic plan implementation to address retirement security challenges, advocacy for pension benefits, employee benefits research studies, and conferences/workshops/webinars, including making presentations. OTHER REQUIREMENTS:  Must be able to occasionally work extended hours on evenings and weekends.  Have an interest in and ability to complete very detailed assignments with accuracy.  Work product samples (i.e., proposals, presentations, training materials, etc.) are required at the time of the interview. The interview will also include an onsite written exercise. Frequent travel required (approximately 20-25 overnights a year).  

Selection Criteria: Tier 1 (Essential):  Five years demonstrated experience using technical skills to advocate for retirement security. Demonstrated experience and familiarity with state pension statutes as well as federal private sector pension law.  Demonstrated knowledge and experience in researching and analyzing data. Demonstrated high-level advocacy, interpersonal, technical, and collaboration skills to consult with affiliates, members, and NEA staff. Proven high-level skills in written and oral communications, training, research, and analysis. Ability to translate complex information both verbally and in writing to lay audiences. Demonstrated skill and experience analyzing and assessing legislative and policy proposals as well as drafting amendments. Demonstrated quantitative skills necessary to understand and explain actuarial analyses. Demonstrated flexibility and ability to handle multiple and complex tasks simultaneously under stringent timeframes and changing priorities/conditions. Demonstrated ability to conduct detailed research with accuracy.  Demonstrated ability to work effectively with organizations and networks of individuals. Demonstrated experience working independently, collaboratively, and in a team environment. Successful references. Demonstrated knowledge of collective bargaining and legislative advocacy techniques and agreements and public sector retirement benefits. Proven effectiveness in strategic analysis and action planning, as well as proven record in developing and providing proactive approaches to protecting and defending public educator retirement security through technical assistance and advocacy strategies. Successful references. TIER 2: (Significant):  Knowledge of data sources, literature, legislation, laws and policies as they relate to retirement issues at the national, state, or local levels.  Understanding of federal and state legislative processes. Demonstrated effective organizational skills. Strong commitment to professional advancement through additional coursework and on-the-job training experiences. Proficiency in the use of computer applications for research, including spreadsheet, word processing, database, and related software for data analysis and presentation. Tier 3: (Desirable):  Knowledge of the NEA’s programs, policies, and member retirement plans.    

Interested candidates should apply online at www.nea.org/jobs.  

NEA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER AND ENCOURAGES WOMEN, MINORITIES AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO APPLY.