Human Resources Specialist - FMLA

State of Montana • Helena, MT

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The primary focus of this position is to serve as the Department of Public Health and Human Services’ subject-matter expert on the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and its intersection with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Workers’ Compensation (WC). This role provides consultation and guidance to HR Partners, who are the first point of contact for employees and supervisors on routine FMLA matters. The position supports a high volume of varied and complex leave situations across DPHHS's over 3,000 employees statewide. The specialist acts as a bridge between FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation, helping HR Partners identify cases with overlapping legal, accommodation, return-to-work, or safety considerations. In complex or high-risk situations, the specialist reviews facts, interprets laws and policy, recommends compliant paths forward, and supports communication among HR Partners, the Civil Rights/EEO Coordinator, Safety/Workers’ Compensation Specialists, management, and other stakeholders. Responsibilities also include ensuring the accuracy and completeness of FMLA documentation and related data, and producing reports for leadership decision-making and compliance. Additionally, the role contributes to policies, procedures, templates, training, communications, audits, and process improvements to strengthen cross-program coordination. Secondary operational HR support in areas like compensation, classification, recruitment, onboarding, and employee relations may be provided, along with backup for other HR functions as needed, though these are not the primary focus.

Requirements

• Associate degree in a related field such as human resources, business, public administration, psychology, journalism, English, or marketing.
• Three years of job-related experience working in a professional office environment.
• Relevant experience may include human resources, leave administration, accommodations, Workers’ Compensation coordination, benefits, risk/safety, case management, compliance, or similar work involving documentation, policy application, and customer service.
• Resume including dates of employment and supervisor’s name/phone number for each position.
• Cover Letter.
• Three Professional References.

Nice To Haves

• Other combinations of education and experience that clearly demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for this role may be considered. If you do not have a degree but have developed comparable skills through work experience, training, or education, you are encouraged to describe that in your application materials.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance on complex leave matters by consulting with HR Partners on difficult, unusual, or high-risk FMLA cases and helping ensure consistent application of law, policy, and best practice.
• Coordinate overlapping programs by identifying when FMLA cases also involve ADA accommodations, Workers’ Compensation, return-to-work issues, or safety concerns and ensuring the right stakeholders are brought in at the right time.
• Strengthen consistency across the Department by developing and maintaining tools, templates, training, workflows, and communication methods that help HR Partners navigate medical leave and cross-program issues.
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of FMLA documentation and related data.
• Produce clear, reliable reports that support leadership decision-making and compliance.
• Contribute to policies, procedures, templates, training, communications, audits, and process improvements that strengthen cross-program coordination.
• Provide secondary operational HR support in areas such as compensation and classification, recruitment and onboarding, and employee relations.
• Serve as backup for other HR functions as needed.

Benefits

• Work/life balance.
• Family-friendly policies.
• Dedicated and caring colleagues.
• Health coverage.
• Retirement plans.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays (combination of up to 38 per year).
• Opportunities and room for professional growth.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under PSLF.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree