Senior Human Resource Specialist, Leave Services

Description

The Senior HR Specialist, Leave Services will serve as a subject matter expert in leave administration and workplace accommodations, supporting employees and managers across the organization. This role is responsible for administering and providing guidance on leave programs including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Workers' Compensation, Short-Term Disability (STD), Long-Term Disability, Military Leave, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) reasonable accommodation process. The Senior HR Specialist ensures compliance with applicable federal and state laws, internal policies, and best practices while fostering a supportive employee experience.

Primary Responsibilities

• Administer and coordinate leave requests for FMLA, Workers' Compensation, STD, LTD, and Military Leave, ensuring timely processing and compliance with applicable regulations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for leave-related questions, providing clear and timely communication to employees, managers, and HR partners.
• Facilitate and lead the ADA reasonable accommodation interactive process, including gathering and reviewing medical documentation, engaging with employees, managers, and HR to determine reasonable accommodations, and ensuring documentation is accurate and complete.
• Review and process requests for PTO Donation and Hardship payout, including gathering and reviewing supporting medical or other necessary documentation.
• Administer FMLA including gathering and reviewing medical documentation, employee eligibility, notifications and HR system updates.
• Provide Workers' Compensation support including filing of Domestic Workers' Compensation and International and Defense Base Act (DBA) claims.
• Partner with managers and HR to address complex leave and accommodation cases, balancing compliance requirements with operational needs.
• Maintain accurate records of all leave and accommodation cases in accordance with legal, privacy, and company policy requirements.
• Stay informed of federal, state, and local leave and accommodation laws and regulations, recommending process updates to maintain compliance.
• Monitor case progress and proactively follow up to ensure timely resolution.
• Provide training and guidance to HR partners and managers on leave and accommodation policies, processes, and best practices.
• Collaborate with payroll, administrators, insurers, and benefits teams to ensure proper leave pay, benefits continuation, and return-to-work arrangements.
• Provide "beyond best in class" customer service.
• Investigate and resolve complex problems, handle disputes.
• Recognize customer service delivery issues; recommend and implement solutions to meet service level agreements.
• Provide interpretation in areas where policy, procedure or requirements are unclear.
• Interface directly with insurance carriers and administrators to research and resolve benefit issues; identify root cause to avoid issue recurrence.
• Refer issues to Supervisor or Manager, Leave Services in accordance with escalation procedures.
• Utilize the case management tool to track issues and escalations.
• Collaborate with other HR service delivery areas, HR leadership, etc. on new and existing programs and process improvement initiatives.
• Maintain flexibility and a positive attitude toward innovation and change.
• Occasional onsite or in-person meetings, collaboration.
• This position requires continuous phone and email support during the hours of operation 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET
• Other duties as assigned.

• Ability to apply critical thinking skills to complex issues.
• Experience specializing in leave administration and/or ADA accommodations.
• In-depth knowledge of FMLA, ADA, Workers' Compensation, and related federal and state leave laws.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive situations with empathy and professionalism.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple cases simultaneously.
• Proficient in HRIS and case management systems; intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality.
• Experience resolving complex issues utilizing external resources and escalating internally when appropriate.
• Experience working with and independently interpreting internal policies and procedures to ensure continuity of business services.
• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in business related field coupled with 2+ years related benefits, HR, or other relevant work experience; OR an Associate's degree coupled with 4+ years related benefits, HR, or other relevant work experience; OR a High School diploma coupled with 6+ years of related benefits, HR, or other relevant work experience.