Absence & Leave Specialist

Summary

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves as subject matter expert, individually motivated and operating with a sense of urgency and personal accountability
• Develops, administers, instructs and monitors the County’s absence and leave programs
• Communicates with employees regarding their needs for leave and/or modified work schedules; ensures that employees are aware of their responsibilities and of any documentation and notice required to qualify for and to take leave
• Administers the FMLA leave process from the employees’ initial notice of the need for leave to the return to work including gathering and completing all required paperwork, determining leave eligibility, designating leave as FMLA-qualifying, requesting medical certification as needed, and accounting for intermittent and reduced schedule leave use
• Maintains communication with employees on leave to facilitate smooth and timely return to work; relays communication between employees and their managers during leave within reason
• Advises managers and employees on the interaction of leave laws with paid time off and disability benefits
• Oversees the return-to-work process for employees returning from FMLA, workers compensation, or other leave(s)
• Facilitates other leave requests, which may include accommodation requests under the ADA
• Administers other company time-off programs as assigned in accordance with internal policy and applicable laws
• Drafts and/or recommends revisions to company leave policies to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations
• Maintains complete and accurate records of leave and accommodation requests in accordance with specified legal requirements and documentation of best practices
• Preserves confidentiality of employee medical documentation and files
• Maintains knowledge of all applicable leave and accommodation laws including the FMLA, ADA, and state and local laws
• Performs related duties as required

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources related field
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departments, administrators, school officials and employees
• Authentic, effective, and professional communication style including the ability to communicate effectively in person and by email and phone
• Ability to use time effectively and efficiently while managing multiple priorities
• Bilingual/fluency in Spanish preferred
• Demonstrates technological intuitiveness
• Must have valid driver’s license, motor vehicle liability insurance and personal injury insurance
• Must secure and maintain a favorable background investigation and clearance
• Must clear a pre-employment physical and a pre-employment drug screen test
• May be required to be on-call 24 hours
• May be required to work weekends
• May be required to work more than 40 hours during the workweek

• Five years of employee experience in a HR related field and two years of experience in leave administration

• Working conditions are in an office / telework environment
• Occasionally moves items weighing up to 15 pounds
• Occasionally move about the office / telework office
• Frequently communicates with others using approved technological resources; must be able to exchange accurate information through designated systems within a timely manner
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery
• Positions self to perform essential functions of the job in an office / telework environment
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position
• Flexibility to achieve performance excellence in a telework arrangement
• Maintains County-issued equipment, software, data and supplies

Supplemental Information