Human Resources Specialist - Leave & ADA

City of Bellevue•Bellevue, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Bellevue is seeking an experienced Human Resources Specialist – Leave & ADA to process and support leave of absences and ADA workplace accommodations for represented and non-represented employees. This role involves providing exceptional customer service, assisting stakeholders, and guiding them through leave of absence and accommodation requests. Responsibilities include general administration, comprehensive case management, and ensuring program compliance with FMLA, Washington PFML, ADA, other employment laws, collective bargaining agreements, and City policies. The position also processes HR transactions and maintains the integrity of employee information in City systems. The HR Department is an engaged, enthusiastic team dedicated to providing exceptional services to city managers, employees, job seekers, and external partners. Bellevue employees embody values of innovation, integrity, stewardship, collaboration, accountability, diversity, equity, and inclusion, taking pride in their work. The City Council's vision is for Bellevue to welcome the world, recognizing diversity as its strength, embracing the future while respecting its past.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in human resources or related field.
Five or more years of experience administering federal and Washington state leaves of absence and ADA workplace accommodations.
Working knowledge of best practices for leaves of absence and accommodations.
Excellent organizational and prioritizing skills, detail-oriented, and ability to handle multiple tasks and assignments.
Professional and personable, exercising sound judgment when dealing with sensitive and confidential matters.
Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
Self-starter, motivated and proactive.
Strong Microsoft Office skills.
Experience working with a HRIS and leave management software.
Ability to build positive relationships at all levels across the organization, and cultivate confidence being a subject matter expert and delivering consistent results.
Demonstrated ability to identify and anticipate client needs, convey appropriate options, and make recommendations for implementation.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
Must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.
Establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire.
Completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.

Nice To Haves

Certification in Human Resources or completion of specialized certification or training on FMLA/leave administration and ADA is preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the point of contact and subject matter expert for qualified continuous or intermittent leaves of absence and reasonable accommodation requests.
Partner with the assistant city attorney on complex or high-risk cases.
Lead or contribute to continuous process improvement initiatives in HR operations related to accommodations and leave management.
Handle the leave process from employees’ initial notice of the need for leave to the employees’ return to work, including gathering paperwork, determining eligibility, designating or denying leaves, requesting medical certification, recertifying leaves, managing independent medical evaluation processes, tracking leave time, and performing audits.
Manage ADA workplace accommodation requests by understanding job analysis, conducting interactive process meetings, assessing accommodation needs and department ability to provide them, managing documentation, tracking status, and providing guidance and recommendations.
Manage and communicate the legal/technical aspects of the process empathetically, neutrally, and clearly.
Deliver excellent customer service and ensure employees are aware of their responsibilities and documentation/notice requirements for leave.
Provide guidance and advice to managers on the process and best practices.
Maintain reasonable communication with employees on leave to facilitate return to work and keep managers informed about leaves, changes, and work restrictions.
Preserve the confidentiality of employee medical documentation and files.
Maintain complete and accurate records, ensuring timely and accurate processing of all leave and accommodation requests, and notifying employees of expirations and recertification needs.
Collaborate with city-wide departmental leadership, HR Consultants, Benefits, Payroll, Risk/Workers’ Compensation, HRIS, and Legal on leave and ADA accommodations, independent medical evaluations, performance issues, and other matters.
Hold monthly meetings with department leadership experiencing high utilization and HR consultants to ensure smooth facilitation.
Monitor continuation of group health plan benefits during leave based on City policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements, collaborating with the benefits administrator on eligibility criteria changes.
Document internal workflow processes; research, recommend, and streamline processes for efficiency while ensuring positive employee and manager experience, consistency, and compliance.