Sr. Specialist, Work Authorization

Amazon's Work Authorization (WA) team is looking for a Senior HR Specialist to drive service delivery excellence and strategic optimization of the U.S. Work Authorization program. This team ensures all Amazon employees are legally authorized to work and remain authorized throughout their employment, mitigating risks of non-compliance, financial penalty, and reputational damage. The U.S. program encompasses the Form I-9 process, Amazon's highest-risk compliance experience.This role is the U.S. subject matter expert on work authorization regulations, processes, and systems. Operationally, the HR Specialist resolves escalations, manages complex casework, conducts root cause analyses, maintains standard work (SOPs, process maps), and ensures operational teams are executing processes as designed and in compliance. Strategically, this role serves as the primary interface between compliance operations and product/technology teams, confidently fielding technical questions, translating policy changes into system requirements, and partnering with engineers and product managers to build out requirements and prioritize enhancements that shape the U.S. service roadmap.The ability to operate as a credible partner to product and technology is central to this role. This is a high-autonomy individual contributor role for someone who can own the U.S. service's process integrity and strategic evolution, influence cross-functional partners without positional authority, and serve as the trusted technical advisor on compliance, process design, and technology enablement.Key job responsibilities**U.S. Work Authorization Subject Matter Expert**Serve as the expert on Form I-9 and E-Verify requirements. Monitor regulatory changes, particularly U.S. immigration policy shifts affecting employee work authorization, and operationalize responses to maintain a compliant service and prevent financial or legal exposure. Handle escalations and provide domain expert support.**Product and Technology Partnership**Serve as the primary compliance voice to product and technology teams. Author and co-author Business Requirement Documents (BRDs), define business rules for workflow automation, and provide actionable input to engineering and analytics teams. Translate frontline operational knowledge and compliance requirements into system requirements that shape the product roadmap. **Policy Change Management**Own the end-to-end response to U.S. work authorization policy changes impacting Amazon's employee population, including Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and other non-sponsored categories. Assess scope and employee impact, develop response strategies, and communicate complex policy information to stakeholders and senior leadership. Partner cross-functionally with Immigration, Legal, and Risk and Compliance.**Process Design and Operational Oversight**Ensure operational teams execute U.S. work authorization processes as designed and in compliance. Own process architecture including SOPs, process maps, and job aids. Identify gaps, conduct root cause analyses, and drive continuous improvement that reduces defects and improves service efficiency.**Project Management and Roadmap Execution**Manage project deliverables and standard work using tools like Asana. Prioritize and deliver process and technology changes, track progress, identify blockers, and communicate updates through business reviews with stakeholders including Finance, Capacity Planning, and WA Service leadership.**Strategic Communication**Contribute to OP1/OP2 planning documents. Write and present strategic narratives (6-pagers, MBRs, QBRs, COEs, PR/FAQs) to leadership and cross-functional audiences. A day in the lifeYour day will be filled with meaningful interactions and strategic problem-solving. You'll collaborate with business partners, investigate nuanced work authorization scenarios, and develop clear, comprehensive procedures that support our global workforce. Each challenge you tackle directly impacts employee experiences and organizational efficiency.About the teamWe are a dedicated group of professionals committed to creating supportive, efficient work environments. Our team focuses on developing robust processes that protect both our employees and the organization. We value collaboration, continuous improvement, and creating meaningful workplace solutions.This role can be based out of Arlington, VA only.Basic qualifications- Bachelor's degree or equivalent, or 2+ years of Amazon (blue badge/FTE) experience- Knowledge of Microsoft Office products and applicationsPreferred qualification - Experience in conducting investigative work, including claimant, witness, and target employee interviews, investigative data analysis, and production of investigative documentation- Experience developing policies and supporting documentation- Experience maintaining confidentiality in matters involving security or personnel issues in the workplaceAmazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at .USA, VA, Arlington - 125,800.00 - 170,200.00 USD annually