Benefits, Leaves, & Accommodations Manager

CSU Careers•Bakersfield, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the administrative direction of the Assistant Vice President for Human Resources & Payroll Administration, the Manager of Benefits, Leaves & Accommodations manages the day-to-day administration of employee benefits for the University and its auxiliaries, as well as the University’s leave of absence and disability accommodation programs. The manager interprets and applies applicable laws, collective bargaining agreements, CSU policies, and established procedures; assigns and reviews staff work; resolves escalated operational and case-specific issues; and helps ensure employees receive timely, accurate, consistent, and equitable service. The position monitors daily operations and participates in ongoing program work as needed. The manager develops and implements procedures for the assigned functional areas, provides guidance to employees and managers, coordinates with campus and Chancellor's Office partners, monitors service and compliance measures, and recommends modifications to departmental or campus practices.

Requirements

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in human resources, business administration, public administration, or a related field and three (3) years of progressively responsible professional human resources experience that includes substantive responsibility for employee benefits, leave administration, and/or disability accommodations.
The required education and experience may be met through an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position's duties.
Experience should include providing lead direction or supervision to other staff.
General knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts, practices, and procedures of human resources management, with working knowledge of employee benefits, leave administration, and disability accommodation processes.
Working knowledge of applicable federal and California leave and disability laws, including FMLA, CFRA, Pregnancy Disability Leave, ADA, and FEHA, and the ability to apply requirements to individual cases.
Ability to interpret and apply laws, policies, collective bargaining agreements, procedures, and benefit program rules; identify issues that fall outside established guidance; and refer matters appropriately.
Ability to analyze facts and documentation, identify options, exercise sound judgment, and provide practical solutions to a variety of operational and employee-specific problems.
Ability to manage multiple cases, transactions, projects, and deadlines while maintaining accurate, complete, and confidential records.
Ability to communicate complex or sensitive information clearly and professionally to employees, managers, administrators, and program partners.
Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations with tact, discretion, neutrality, and respect, and to support consistent and equitable treatment of employees.
Ability to supervise staff, assign and monitor work, provide clear direction, evaluate performance, address work-quality concerns, and support employee development.
Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner.
Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
Excellent computer skills and competence with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure.
Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
Must be able to work occasional holidays and adjust working hours to meet special jobs.
May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.

Nice To Haves

Professional human resources experience in a higher education, public-sector, or unionized environment.
Experience administering CSU benefits, leave, or accommodation programs and using CHRS and State Controller's Office systems.
Experience supervising professional or technical staff responsible for employee benefits, leave administration, or related HR services.
Professional certification such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or Certified Leave Management Specialist.
Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment possessing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.

Responsibilities

Manage daily administration of CSU employee benefit programs for the campus and its auxiliaries and related transactions, including enrollment changes, qualifying life events, eligibility determinations, benefit deductions, and separation or retirement-related benefit processes within the scope assigned to the campus.
Review escalated employee benefit questions and transaction discrepancies; research records in CHRS, State Controller's Office systems, vendor systems, and other sources; determine corrective action within delegated authority; and ensure appropriate follow-through.
Oversee benefits billing and collections activities, including accounts receivable documentation, payroll deduction or collection arrangements, employee communications, and follow-up on outstanding balances.
Coordinate campus Affordable Care Act administration by reviewing eligibility and compliance reports, resolving discrepancies, monitoring required notifications, and ensuring accurate and timely records.
Serve as the primary operational liaison with the Chancellor's Office and benefit plan or system partners regarding specific program requirements, transactions, reporting, and problem resolution; elevate policy or systemwide interpretation issues as appropriate.
Coordinate annual open enrollment, the benefits fair, and other benefit communications and activities by developing implementation timelines, reviewing information and materials for accuracy, assigning and monitoring related tasks, coordinating event logistics, and responding to escalated questions.
Monitor the accuracy and timeliness of benefits data and transactions, conduct periodic reviews and reconciliations, and ensure identified errors are corrected and documented.
Respond to CalPERS-related audits, process requests for service credit purchases, and provide retirement-related information to staff and faculty as needed.
Manage the day-to-day administration of employee leave programs, including FMLA, CFRA, Pregnancy Disability Leave, CSU family and medical leave provisions, disability leave, parental leave, and other applicable contractual or statutory leaves.
Review leave requests and supporting documentation; determine eligibility and applicable leave designations within delegated authority; ensure required notices are issued; and monitor certification, recertification, exhaustion, and return-to-work timelines.
Manage disability accommodation cases by coordinating the interactive process, gathering and assessing relevant information, identifying effective accommodation options, documenting case activity, and facilitating implementation of approved accommodations.
Evaluate escalated leave and accommodation questions, apply established laws, policies, collective bargaining agreement provisions, and procedures to individual circumstances, and provide guidance to employees, managers, and HR staff.
Coordinate with Employee & Labor Relations, Payroll, Safety & Risk Management, Workers' Compensation, supervisors, health-care providers, and other parties when leave, pay, benefits, work restrictions, or return-to-work requirements overlap.
Monitor active cases, statutory and contractual deadlines, documentation requirements, and follow-up activities to support timely and consistent case resolution.
Review sensitive or complex matters with the AVP and appropriate partners when the issue is novel, precedent-setting, high-risk, or may require an exception to established policy or practice.
Maintain confidentiality and ensure leave and medical records are retained separately and handled in accordance with legal, CSU, and departmental requirements.
Directly supervise assigned staff, including participating in selection, onboarding, training, work assignment, scheduling, performance management, and professional development activities.
Establish work priorities and service expectations; monitor daily operations, deadlines, caseloads, and backlogs; redistribute assignments when necessary; and ensure adequate coverage for essential functions.
Provide technical direction and consultation on benefits, leave, and accommodation processes; assist staff in resolving unusual operational problems; and determine when matters require escalation.
Promote consistent, equitable, and service-centered practices by documenting expectations, reinforcing confidentiality requirements, and addressing workflow or performance concerns in consultation with higher-level management and HR as appropriate.
Perform ongoing program tasks and handle assigned cases or transactions during peak periods, absences, or when workload complexity requires direct managerial involvement.
Develop, maintain, and implement desk procedures, forms, templates, case-management tools, and internal controls for assigned benefits, leave, and accommodation functions consistent with established law, CSU policy, collective bargaining agreements, and campus direction.
Monitor changes in applicable laws, regulations, CSU guidance, and benefit program requirements; assess operational effects; update procedures and communications; and recommend needed modifications to departmental or campus practices.
Prepare and deliver practical guidance and training for managers and employees on leave requests, accommodation processes, benefit enrollment, return-to-work responsibilities, and related procedures.
Review program data and trends, including caseloads, timeliness, error rates, recurring questions, leave usage, and accommodation activity, to identify service gaps, compliance concerns, and opportunities for process improvement.
Prepare routine and ad hoc reports for management, audits, and program review; verify the accuracy and completeness of supporting data and documentation.
Coordinate specific phases of audits, system implementations, and departmental projects affecting assigned programs, and communicate status, issues, and resource needs to the AVP.