Careers

Description:

Summary:

This position has a social justice component that will require critical thinking around how external systems impact the work that we are doing through the lens of racism and intersections with poverty. Knowing the core principles of antiracism and grounding those principles in everyday work, as well as working well in racially diverse environments are required job skills and core values. As an equal opportunity employer, we highly encourage people of color to apply.

The Leave and Benefits Management Specialist is responsible for communicating and administrating comprehensive leave and associated benefit programs to support and enhance the health, well-being and quality of YWCA SKS employee benefits and leave support options.

Responsibilities:

Leave, ADA, and Worker’s Compensation Administration

• Manage the leave administration, workers compensations and job accommodation processes and procedures for YWCA SKS
• Develops and maintains user procedures and guidelines regarding leave of absence, job accommodation and workers compensation
• Determine eligibility, and approve/ decline applications for all leaves and associated leave benefits
• Advise and counsel staff and managers regarding types of leave and leave related regulatory compliance. 
• Ensure all parties (employee, leadership and HR) are regularly notified and updated on leaves/workers comp claims and any related status changes
• Maintain accurate and up to date information within HRIS and leave management systems
• Communicate disposition of leave requests to applicable parties by phone, email, and/or USPS
• Collaborate with external Risk Management partners on Worker’s Compensation cases
• Review requests for ADA accommodations, communicate with appropriate managers to ascertain the departmental ability to provide the accommodation. Collaborate with HR Operations Manager on complex request or for second level review in cases in which the department indicates they are unable to provide the accommodation
• Create and analyze reports from database as requested

Training and Educational Awareness:

• Recommend and possibly facilitate educational opportunities for YWCA leadership to ensure alignment with update employment practices and activities as it pertains to ADA, Workers Comp and protected leaves.

• Regularly and consistently participate in training and educational activities that keeps you informed and aligned with all best practices and laws associated with all state/federal/city/county leaves, workers compensation and ADA Interactive processes.
• Make recommendations on policies, benefits and employee supports as it relates to Leave, ADA and Workers compensation.

Employee Engagement:

• Serve as the main point of contact for employees who are facing the need to take a leave, experience a workplace injury or need an ADA accommodation.
• Inform all employees of their available benefits and ensure YWCA offerings for leave and ADA are accessible and clear.

COVID-19 Support:

• Ensures equitable administration of COVID employee support benefits
• Provides applicable reporting and serves as a communication liaison for employees and leadership experiencing COVID issues and infections.
• Obtain and maintain accurate recommendations related to contact tracing, department of health reporting and vaccination tracking to ensure COVID incidents are handled efficiently and confidentially.
• Work with leaders across the organization to help identify employees who may have experienced a work place exposure and communicate any needed quarantine requirements
• Communicate with Employees experiencing COVID so that they understand require period of isolation and available benefits. 

General Benefit Support:

• Participates in the wellness committee that is responsible for developing wellness strategies and initiatives
• Supports activities related to employee benefit administration as needed such as data entry, open enrollment, document preparation and etc.

Qualifications & Core Competencies:

• AA Degree in human resources or related field OR equivalent experience
• Minimum of 2+ years of Leave/Job Accommodation/Workers Compensation experience
• Working knowledge of workers compensation within Washington State
• Working knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, court rulings and case law related to leave of absence and disability accommodation in an employment setting
•  Knowledge and experience with HR Information Systems or other related leave and accommodation management software

Physical Demands:

• Continuously exchanges information through listening and talking with agency staff, volunteers, candidates, and individuals in the community

Hours, Rate & Benefits:

• Wage rate: Depends on experience of the candidate
• Hours per week: 40
• FLSA Classification: Exempt
• Excellent benefits package including medical insurance, retirement plan, plus generous vacation, holiday and sick leave plans
• At the time of hire, employees may choose to voluntarily enroll in the Fidelity 403b Plan. Typically after two years of employment, employees are eligible to participate in the YWCA Retirement Fund.