Leave of Absence and Benefits Specialist

The Leave of Absence and Benefits Specialist will oversee and administer leave requests and accommodations requiring specialized attention, particularly those arising under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), state and local leave laws, and short-term or long-term disability plans.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the entire leave process from initial request to return to work, including paperwork, eligibility determination, and designation of leave type.
• Provide clear and timely communication to employees, HR Business Partners, and managers regarding leave policies, eligibility, and status updates.
• Facilitate other leave requests, which may include accommodation requests under the ADA.
• Administer other company time-off programs as assigned in accordance with internal policy and applicable laws.
• Ensure adherence to federal and state laws and company policies.
• Investigate and solve complex leave-related issues and escalate as needed.
• Maintain complete and accurate records of leave and accommodation requests.
• Preserve confidentiality of employee medical documentation and files.
• Coordinate with Payroll to ensure accurate pay, benefits continuation, and premium billing during leave.
• Stay current on changes to federal, state, and local leave laws and update internal processes accordingly.
• Prepare regular reports on leave metrics for the Director.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A 4-Year Degree is preferred.
• 3+ years of experience as a Leave of Absence Specialist or in a similar role.
• Extensive knowledge of the leave requirements and other legal protections afforded by the FMLA, ADA, and other federal and state applicable laws.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and high attention to detail.