Leave & Accommodation Coordinator (Human Resources Consultant 2)

Central Washington University•Ellensburg, WA

65d•$60,132 - $80,820•Onsite

About The Position

Central Washington University is recruiting a Leave & Accommodation Coordinator (Human Resources Consultant 2) to join our Human Resources team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $60,132 - $80,820 annually plus the awesome CWU benefits. Who we are: We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams. Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~10,000 students. Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025. Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus. Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A What we offer: Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator. The Role: The Leave and Accommodation Coordinator provides professional-level support in the administration of employee leave and accommodation programs in compliance with federal, state, and university policies. e Working under general supervisor, this position coordinates and monitors leave and accommodation cases, ensuring accurate documentation, timely communication, and adherence to regulatory requirements. The incumbent serves as the knowledgeable resource to managers, employees, and HR partners regarding all issues related to leaves of absence, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and disability accommodations. With in-depth knowledge of applicable federal and state laws, university policies, and procedures, the coordinator ensures program compliance while mitigating organizational risk and balancing both business and employee interests. This role leads the university's employee disability accommodation process, including eligibility determination, documentation review, and facilitation of the interactive process to ensure reasonable accommodations are provided. All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence. Human Resources employees directly affect the vision, mission, and values of Central Washington University by creating and supporting opportunities for employee engagement, learning, and growth.

Requirements

One to two years of professional experience in human resources or closely related field.
In-depth understanding of federal laws such as FMLA, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), and other relevant state and federal regulations.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (word, excel, PowerPoint). Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact effectively with employees at all levels.
Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Ability to exercise discretion, tact and diplomacy in the handling of sensitive and confidential employee benefits and medical information. Ability to maintain strict confidence in performing job duties.
Demonstrated ability and/or experience working collaboratively with students and/or colleagues to foster a supportive and effective learning and work environment.
OR applicable combination of education/experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the position's essential functions.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or related field.
Three years of experience leading leave and accommodation processes, including eligibility assessments and documentation review, or employee relations.
Familiarity with University policies and procedures related to employee leave and accommodations.
Knowledge of PeopleSoft-Oracle and HRISD systems.
Knowledge of Washington State Civil Service laws, Washington Administrative Code, Revised Code of Washington, and state and federal laws.
A record of promoting institutional excellence in the work environment.
Life experiences that demonstrate an ability to contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values.
PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification or certification.

Responsibilities

Serves as the knowledgeable resource and coordinator for employee leave programs under the general guidance of the supervisor and HR leadership, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and compliance with federal, state, and university regulations.
Reviews and interprets leave laws, regulations, and university policies - including FMLA, PFML, ADA, USERRA, and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act and assists in implementing and maintaining leave-related programs, policies, procedures, and best practices.
Provides information and guidance to faculty, staff, supervisors, and HR Partners on all aspects of leave eligibility, regulatory requirements, and procedural compliance, ensuring consistency and risk mitigation across departments.
Coordinates leave cases, including intake, documentation review, eligibility determination, approval/denial decisions, and return-to-work planning. Maintains timely communication with employees and supervisors to ensure seamless coordination and minimal disruption to operations.
Reviews medical documentation and recommends approval or denial of leave requests in consultation with supervisor, while safeguarding confidentiality and ensuring compliance with HIPAA and employee privacy guidelines.
Tracks leave balances, monitors intermittent leave schedules, and collaborating with HR Partners and Payroll to ensure accurate compensation and time reporting.
Works with payroll to ensure accurate and timely processing of leave-related pay (e.g., pay continuation during all types of leaves).
Work with managers and supervisors to ensure that leave is appropriately managed and that employees' timesheets are completed during their absence. Generates reports on leave usage, case volume, and compliance metrics and identifies opportunities for improvements to leave management processes and system configuration.
Partners with HR Partners, Payroll, and HRIS to continuously improve case tracking, reporting capabilities, and system workflows. Participate in meetings to review cases and resolve administrative issues.
Remains current on federal and state leave-related laws, court rulings, and regulatory updates by participating in professional development, legal workshops, and compliance training sessions.
Coordinates the CWU Shared Leave Program, including eligibility assessment, coordination of leave donations, and communication with involved parties to ensure policy-compliant administration.
Provides guidance and support to managers, supervisors, and employees on matters related to leave of absence programs and disability accommodations.
Serves as the subject matter expert on the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), and other applicable federal and state leave laws.
Coordinates and monitors leave processes to promote consistency, fairness, and adherence to procedures and processes.
Serves as a key liaison between employees and supervisors to facilitate the effective implementation of workplace accommodations. Conducts thorough intake interviews and leads the interactive process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to identify and implement reasonable accommodations tailored to individual needs.
Reviews and interprets medical and psychological documentation to assess functional limitations and determine appropriate accommodations. Applies disability laws and university policies to recommend reasonable workplace adjustments, auxiliary aids, and services, collaborating with healthcare providers as needed to support informed decision-making.
Stays current on disability-related legislation, legal precedents, and Office for Civil Rights (OCR) guidance by participating in ongoing professional development, including training sessions, conferences, and legal workshops.
Designs, updates, and manages accommodation-related forms and documentation. Maintains accurate and confidential records in compliance with legal and institutional requirements, ensuring data integrity and the protection of sensitive information.
Ensures consistency with applicable state regulations and university policies throughout the case management process, helping to mitigate risk and support employee well-being.
Serves as primary point of contact for coordinating the Return-to-Work (RTW) process, facilitating communication and planning between the employee, department leadership, HR partners, and Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) to support timely, safe, and compliant reintegration of employees following workplace injuries.
Collaborates closely with the EH&S team to review and monitor workplace accident reports, identify potential L&I cases, and ensure compliance with OSHA reporting requirements.
Labor & Industries account administrator. Ensure compliance and timely reporting of required data, documents, and information.
Backup for benefits support functions, ensuring continuity and assistance in the absence of the designated Benefits Representative. This includes assisting with requests, inquiries, documentation, and program enrollments.
Assist in the planning, coordination, and implementation of wellness initiatives aimed at promoting employee health and well-being. Serve as a key supporter and advocate for wellness initiatives across the organization, helping foster a culture of health and vitality among employees.
Other duties as assigned.