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City Leave Programs Advisor

Seattle, United States

Position Description

The mission of the City of Seattle Human Resources Department (SDHR) is to provide strategic and operational human resources services that meet the City's workforce and organizational needs. Our values reflect our best thinking of how we want to act and interact with customers, consumers, partners, and each other: respect, excellence, integrity, equity, adaptability, integration, and accountability.

We are looking for a City Leave Programs Advisor who will provide leave program policy consultation and guidance for all City department Absence Partners, oversee the creation and maintenance of standardized program processes and procedures for all City leave programs, and support departments in maintaining administrative compliance with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This role is critical to City HR alignment, including the consistent application of leave benefit programs and ADA compliance.

As HR policies pertaining to leaves are amended or added through Mayoral directive or City Council mandate, or programs are implemented through legislation at the state or federal level, you will be a key advisor on implementation and policy revisions in addition to any amended or new program oversight resources. You will provide program leadership and represent the unit across a variety of positions and all City departments.

Job Responsibilities

Your top priorities in this position will be:

Keeping informed and updated on current industry trends, practices, and policies:
- Establishing and maintaining City practices, processes, policies, and procedures that support leave program compliance
- Creating resource guidance to promote accurate delivery and accounting for employee leave entitlements (such as leave overview guides, FAQ, etc.)
- Proactively identifying and responding to trends, problems, and issues
- Coordinating continuous improvement
Operating as the system's functional liaison for leave programs:
- Providing leave programs expertise through review of Workday processes and workflows to ensure alignment with City policy and program compliance
- Ensuring system enhancements meet testing outcomes to maintain program compliance.
Developing optimized working partnerships with department HR and other leave personnel:
- Building trust and support in the department’s delivery of leave programs
- Maintaining clear roles and responsibilities
- Providing best practice consultation
- Championing adherence to program guidance
- Fostering collaboration

Here’s more about what you’ll be doing:

Serving as a subject matter expert and leading the consultation of leave programs to department Absence partners, which includes but is not limited to Family and Medical Leave, Paid Family Care Leave, Paid Parental Leave, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Acting as the primary resource on leave program policy development and optimization, program resources and guidance, systems analysis, and developing metrics to access program outcomes
Establishing and maintaining departmental networks and channels to enhance and support departments’ delivery of leave program entitlements to employees
Managing various HCM-related functions for City Leave Programs, including change request prioritization, process enhancements, the provision of systems configuration requirements, and systems testing expertise
Working extensively with citywide stakeholders to drive the delivery of consistent employee experience and transparency of City leave and ADA program processes
Working closely with labor relations, law, department HR business partners, and department Absence Partners to provide standardized processes and interpretation of the City’s Disability Accommodations Resource Guide in relation to federal, state, and local laws
Demonstrating and maintaining up to date industry knowledge, as well as jurisdictional and technical expertise in the administration of ADA processes and leave programs

Qualifications

You will be most successful if you have demonstrated hands-on experience in administering leave programs, including managing program compliance. A commitment to listening, creating space for diverse perspectives, and the pursuit of equitable, inclusive, and just outcomes must be at the center of your professional practice. The ability to communicate at all levels tactfully and effectively will also contribute to your success.

Specifically, you’ll be prepared to take on this role if you have a combination of the following:

An ability to:

Interpret and implement policy
Clearly label requirements for various leave programs
Develop strong systems knowledge and act as the functional owner of a business area
Explain highly specialized topics and ensure understanding to multiple audiences with varying levels of experience and expertise
Demonstrate a willingness to learn and become proficient with new systems and create new resources for employees seeking information about leave programs

Experience with:

Utilizing your knowledge of local, state, and federal leave programs and their compliance requirements
Working in a public organization
Human Capital Management (HCM) systems, particularly Workday
Working with legal counsel for advisement and business process creation
Managing data inquiries and requests, particularly as they relate to leave programs and utilization
Title I ADA

Skills in:

Written, oral, and interpersonal communication
Program management
Developing and maintaining trusting, collaborative relationships, particularly with labor partners in a union environment and other City departments
SharePoint

Additional Information

This position is civil service exempt and classified as a Strategic Advisor 2, Exempt. The full pay range for this discretionary position is $54.60 - $81.93 per hour. The salary range for this individual role has been identified as $69.73 - $71.78 hourly. This position is exempt from FLSA and not eligible for overtime.

First interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, October 1 and/or Thursday, October 2, 2025. Second interviews are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov to request accommodation.

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees are expected to be in the office two days a week. Mondays are a required in-office day. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor and are subject to change.

Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will have the opportunity to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please submit your application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully, please attach:

A PDF of your current resume which illustrates your related skills, experience, and abilities
Cover Letter explaining your interest in this opportunity with Seattle Human Resources and capability to perform this body of work

This position is open to all applicants who demonstrate alignment with the skills and experience described above. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions, please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

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