HR Leave of Absence Specialist

City of Palm Bay•Palm Bay, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs specialized administrative and professional work in the City’s Human Resources Benefits Division. Primary responsibilities include administering and coordinating all employee leave and accommodation programs in compliance with federal law, Florida Statutes, City policies, and applicable collective bargaining agreements. Duties include managing the ADA interactive process, processing FMLA and other statutory leave requests, coordinating disability claims, maintaining confidential documentation, and providing guidance to employees, supervisors, and departments on leave procedures and legal requirements. The position requires independent judgment, strong organizational skills, and a high degree of tact and discretion when working with employees, healthcare providers, attorneys, outside vendors, and the public on sensitive matters. Reports to the Assistant Human Resources Director.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher, form an accredited college or university, in Business Administration, Human Resources Administration or related field plus four (4) years of experience in human resources, employee benefits, and wellness programs; OR Associate degree, from an accredited college or university, in Business Administration, Human Resources Administration, or related field plus six (6) years of experience in human resources, employee benefits, and wellness programs.
Intermediate or advanced skill level with the Microsoft Office Suite.
Experience with automated Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) required.
A minimum of three (3) years of experience in leave management including: Administering FMLA and other statutory leave programs.
Conducting the ADA interactive process and coordinating reasonable accommodation requests.
Experience with Return-to-Work processes, light-duty coordination, and ADA-related documentation.
Possession of professional Human Resources Certification required (i.e., SHRM, HRCI or IPMA) or the ability to obtain within two (2) years of hire.
Must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License and have and maintain an acceptable driving record.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a municipal, county, or state environment is preferred.
Workday experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Administer, the City’s employee leave programs including Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Medical Leave of Absence (MLA), Military Leave, Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) and ADA interactive process.
Review and process leave requests, determine eligibility, and track various types of leave, including intermittent and continuous.
Serve as a point of contact for employees, managers, and HR partners regarding leave procedures, requirements and legal standards.
Coordinate with Departments to provide training on FMLA, ADA, Light Duty procedures and Return to Work programs.
Assist in facilitating Supervisor Training related to City Policy, and Federal and State Laws.
Collaborate with benefits, payroll and other internal teams to ensure coordinated, accurate and timely leave administration.
Assist employees in filing for STD and LTD claims, provide required documents to disability vendors and follow up to ensure timely processing.
Interpret and administer leave programs and accommodation requests to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, including FMLA, USSERA, PWFA and ADA.
Monitor changes in federal and state leave laws to ensure continued compliance and make recommendations for policy updates.
Maintain confidential employee files, including physician documentation, medical certifications, and employee communications.
Serves as liaison between employees, departments and vendors regarding leave status, return to work timelines, and accommodation needs.
Assist with Health & Wellness initiatives, benefits administration and the annual Open Enrollment process as needed.
Exercise tact, diplomacy, and discretion when handling sensitive information involving employee medical conditions, disability claims, HIPAA-protected information.
Maintain applicable job knowledge and skills through training, conferences, meetings, and professional publications.
Prepare regular reports on leave usage, trends, and compliance metrics for leadership.
Assist in developing return-to-work plans, coordinate with medical providers as needed, and facilitate reasonable accommodations under ADA when applicable.
Performs other related work as required.