ERISA Attorney/Employee Benefits Counsel

Oxy is an international energy company with assets primarily in the United States, the Middle East and North Africa. We are one of the largest oil and gas producers in the U.S., including a leading producer in the Permian and DJ basins, and offshore Gulf of Mexico. Our midstream and marketing segment provides flow assurance and maximizes the value of our oil and gas. Our chemical subsidiary OxyChem manufactures the building blocks for life-enhancing products. Our Oxy Low Carbon Ventures subsidiary is advancing leading-edge technologies and business solutions that economically grow our business while reducing emissions. We are committed to using our global leadership in carbon management to advance a lower-carbon world. Visit oxy.com for more information.

The ERISA Attorney/Employee Benefits Counsel will be part of the Compensation and Benefits group based in Houston, TX.

Key Responsibilities

* Strong understanding of ERISA, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), COBRA, HIPAA, and other relevant federal and state regulations.

* Work with Human Resources on benefits strategy, design, administration and compliance for a broad range of employee benefit plans including medical (active and retiree), severance, fringe benefit and various health and welfare plans.

* Ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

* Experience with ERISA plan governance requirements.

* Draft and review welfare benefit plans and amendments, advise on participant communications, update Summary Plan Descriptions and participant disclosures, monitor plan filings, and ensure appropriate government reporting.

* Advise on Plan interpretation to respond to questions and claims.

* Provide legal advice on internal benefits claims/appeals.

* Review and negotiate benefits vendor contracts.

* Assess legal risk and make recommendations to management.

* Engage outside benefits counsel in an effective and cost-effective manner.

Required Qualifications:

* Law degree from ABA accredited school and current bar admission (Texas bar membership preferred)

* 2-5 years' experience in a similar ERISA Attorney / Benefits Counsel role (law firm and/or in house with a large employer)

* Knowledge and experience with ERISA welfare plans, benefits, HIPAA, compliance and tax issues

* Proven ability to analyze complex legal and regulatory developments affecting employer-sponsored benefit plans ability to share key implications and insights in cogent written form

* Strong research and analytical skills and ability to exercise sound business judgment and work both independently and as part of an integrated legal team

* Strong service orientation and sense of urgency regarding client needs

* Ability to handle a significant workload (volume and complexity)

* Action oriented, timely and organized with ability to prioritize workload and manage multiple projects with overlapping priorities and deadlines

* Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects and meet deadlines

* Collaborative style with good interpersonal, problem-solving and conflict resolution skills. High level ability to build relationships and engage effectively on cross-functional teams.

* Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills. Ability to communicate complex concepts in simple, non-technical language

* Proficient in computer systems including MS products (Word; Excel and PowerPoint)

Recruitment Fraud
It has come to our attention various individuals and/or organizations are contacting people falsely pretending to recruit on behalf of Oxy. Please be aware that these recruiting scams and communications do not originate nor are they associated with our recruitment process. All Oxy job postings and offers will require a completed application through our company website.
Oxy does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruiting process. We will never:

* Ask you to pay for applications, interviews, meetings, processing, training or for any other fees
* Use recruiting or placement agencies that charge candidates an advance fee of any kind or
* Request personal information such as passport and bank account details at an early stage of our recruitment process.

We recommend against responding to unsolicited business propositions or offers from people you don't know. Do not disclose your personal or financial details. If you believe you have been the victim of a recruiting scam, please contact your local police department.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.