Leave Benefit Coordinator

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Boston, MA

18h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Branch is one of the state's largest employers with over 46,000 employees that span 11 secretariats and 70 plus agencies. The Human Resources Division (HRD) is an agency within the Executive Office for Administration and Finance. HRD provides support to state agencies in all matters relating to the Commonwealth's classification, compensation, benefits, recruitment, training & employee development, civil rights, collective bargaining and workers compensation administration. The Office of Leave Planning Assistance (OLPA) is a unit within HRD which administers a comprehensive set of family and medical leave benefits for state employees in the Executive Department. This includes approximately eighteen (18) union contracts; the Executive Department’s Red Book leave policies for managers and employees not covered by a union contract; federal/state laws such as the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) law; and other leave policies of the Executive Department. The OLPA team is looking for dedicated Leave Benefit Coordinators to ensure state employees receive the support they need when navigating family and medical leave. In this role, you’ll serve as a trusted resource, guiding employees through the complexities of leave benefits while balancing care, clarity, and compliance. Whether they’re welcoming a child, managing a serious health condition, or caring for a loved one, your expertise will make a difference in their experience. This is a unique opportunity to join a mission-driven team committed to providing a best-in-class leave experience. You’ll play a key role in shaping and improving leave administration for state employees, helping make state government a great place to work and serve.

Requirements

• Prior work in a unionized environment and familiarity with employee benefits programs or case management experience is a plus!
• A proven ability to work effectively with diverse teams and serve a wide range of employees.
• The ability to absorb, retain, and apply new information, policies, and processes effectively while maintaining high standards.
• The ability to make sound eligibility determinations and provide confident well-informed guidance to employees.
• Use strong problem-solving, deductive reasoning, and judgment skills to navigate complex scenarios while balancing employee needs and compliance.
• Strong written and verbal skills to document and communicate case details professionally and clearly with employees, internal teams, and external partners. This may be through our telephone system, leave management software, email or Microsoft Teams.
• The ability to utilize and ensure consistency across multiple HR systems and records, often used simultaneously. Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook.
• CLMS, PHR, or SHRM-CP certification is a plus, but not required.
• Three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time professional experience in personnel work, the major duties of which include classification, staffing, job analysis and/or job evaluation, of which at least one year must have been in a professional capacity.
• An Associate’s degree may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required experience.
• A Graduate degree with a major in Personnel Management, Personnel Administration or Public Administration may be substituted for the required experience. Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Nice To Haves

• Working knowledge of AbsenceSoft’s leave management software or Five9’s telephony system is a big plus but not required!

Responsibilities

• Counsel employees on leave programs, entitlements, and payment mechanisms and communicate complex information in a compassionate, clear and accessible manner.
• Demystify the intricacies of leave benefits, making the process easier to understand and navigate.
• Interpret and ensure compliance with federal and state leave laws (FMLA, PFML), collective bargaining agreements, and internal policies while balancing employee needs.
• Maintain accurate case records and support documentation, ensuring compliance, consistency, and clear communication across teams.
• Partner with HR service teams, including payroll, benefits coordinators, and ADA coordinators, to ensure employees receive holistic support, while maintaining confidentiality and compliance.
• Keep up to date with collective bargaining agreements, federal/state laws, and Executive Department policies related to family and medical leave.
• Use your exceptional communication, deescalation and empathy skills when helping employees through potentially stressful or complex situations.
• Review medical certifications and supporting documents to evaluate completeness and ensure compliance, accuracy and consistency.
• Use sound judgment and strong communication skills to communicate information about leave cases, ensuring employees and stakeholders understand both the process and next steps.

Benefits

• Access training, workshops, and internal presentations to grow your expertise in leave management.
• Leave management opens the door to other areas of HR, including benefits, payroll, and employee relations.
• Be part of a team that is making a real difference in the lives of state employees and shaping the future of state government benefits.
• Outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package.
• A work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

What This Job Offers

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