Leave and Disability Accommodation Specialist

University of Washington Medical Center•Seattle, WA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

UW Human Resources is hiring a Leave and Disability Accommodation Specialist to support University of Washington employees when life events, including medical conditions, welcoming a new child, or military service, affect their work. The specialist manages staff and student employee accommodation requests, guiding the interactive process from start to finish and helping employees and departments understand and implement accommodations. The role collaborates with HR Consultants, the Disability Services Office, Risk Management, and other experts. The specialist provides leave-administration guidance to assigned departments using knowledge of federal and state laws and University policies. Using Workday, the position administers leave programs across UW campuses, including FMLA, Family Care Act leave, military leave, shared leave, and disability leave. The role also supports program coordination, case management, training, communications, and process improvement. This is a regular, 100% FTE position with a hybrid schedule requiring at least two days in the office per week. The listed annual pay range is $90,552.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or a related field; equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except where legal requirements apply.
At least three years of experience in a human resources setting, with specific experience in leave administration and/or disability accommodation.
Knowledge of federal and state regulations governing leave administration, including FMLA and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations.
Ability to analyze, interpret, and apply complex policies, including labor contract provisions and University programs, in problem-solving and client consultation.
Ability to use independent judgment when providing information and assistance, particularly in urgent or sensitive situations.
Tact and discretion in handling confidential medical information and sensitive issues.
Ability to maintain a professional demeanor while advising distressed individuals.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team and establish positive working relationships with colleagues and clients.

Responsibilities

Administer FMLA, Family Care Act leave, UW Parental Leave, Faculty Sick Leave, and Shared Leave for the Seattle, Tacoma, and Bothell campuses, including assessing medical documentation, determining eligibility, processing requests, communicating decisions, maintaining records, and following up on incomplete paperwork.
Advise and counsel staff, managers, and administrators on leave types, regulatory compliance, and policy requirements; provide training and consultations to departments as needed.
Manage temporary, short-term, and permanent workplace accommodation requests for employees with disabilities, applying relevant policies and collaborating with employees, managers, HR Consultants, and other partners to develop individualized solutions.
Prepare and manage disability leave correspondence, track deadlines, obtain necessary medical documentation, and follow up on accommodation implementation.
Maintain confidentiality and regulatory compliance, and develop case-management tracking methods and metrics for reporting.
Participate in team meetings to promote consistent institutional decision-making and collaborate on process improvements.
Work with Risk Management on Workers’ Compensation cases, sharing information about restrictions and potential accommodations and communicating relevant updates to Risk Management, HR Consultants, and departments.
Collaborate with client departments, Employee and Labor Relations, the Disability Services Office, and subject matter experts to develop and deliver training on leave policies and accommodation processes.
Create and update online resources, forms, and templates supporting consistent communication and understanding of leave and accommodation procedures.
Perform additional policy, process, special-project, and cross-functional work as assigned, including analyzing and recommending process improvements.