Benefits and Leave of Absence Specialist

Children's Council of San Francisco • San Francisco, CA

3d • $75,000 - $85,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Benefits and Leave of Absence Specialist is responsible for administering employee benefits programs and managing all leave of absence (LOA) processes with accuracy, compliance, and exceptional customer service. This role ensures employees receive timely support and clear guidance on benefits, disability, workers’ compensation, and all state and federal leave programs.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• Minimum 4-6 years of progressive experience in benefits administration and leave of absence management.
• Strong working knowledge of FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, ERISA, PFL, SDI, EEOC, and other California and San Francisco-specific employment regulations.
• Experience managing workers' compensation claims.
• Proficiency with HRIS and benefits platforms (Rippling preferred; Workday, ADP, UKG, or similar also considered).
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Background clearance required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a non-profit organization or similar mission-driven work environment.
• Familiarity with third-party disability administrators and workers' compensation processes.

Responsibilities

• Administer the organization's benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), FSA/HSA, wellness, and ancillary offerings.
• Support vendor and broker relationships.
• Rollout the open enrollment strategy and direct execution, including communication planning, employee education sessions, compliance notice distribution, and platform configuration.
• Reconcile benefits billing, premium adjustments, and compliance audits; serve as escalation point for complex claims issues and employee resolutions.
• Administer all types of employee leaves, including FMLA, ADA, state-specific leaves, parental leave, military leave, workers' compensation, and personal leaves.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local leave regulations as well as internal policies.
• Coordinate with employees, managers, and third-party administrators to ensure proper documentation and timely processing.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for benefits and LOA programs.
• Track leave usage, eligibility, and return-to-work dates, maintaining accurate records in HR systems.
• Provide empathetic, confidential, and detailed guidance to employees navigating leave options.
• Manage all aspects of the disability accommodation process, including intake, interactive process coordination, medical documentation review, and compliance with ADA and applicable state laws.
• Partner with Operations and managers to evaluate ergonomic risks and implement measures to reduce workplace injuries.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Generous Medical coverage for staff, including paid medical plan deductibles, copays and out-of-pocket maximums.
• Dental, Vision, Chiropractic & Acupuncture, Life, LTD and AD&D coverage.
• Voluntary benefits that include Supplement Life, Accident, Critical Illness, and Pet Insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with a generous employer match.
• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account and Commuter Benefit programs.
• Generous paid time off package, including 14 paid holidays + a floating holiday for your Birthday.
• Ongoing training and professional development for all staff.
• Tuition Reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees