Leave of Absence Specialist

Columbia Bank • Lake Oswego, OR

5d • $22 - $30 • Onsite

About The Position

About The Role: The leave of absence specialist will provide an accurate leave of absence program explanation, answer claim enrollment questions, and have excellent communication skills to provide customer service to employees with leave of absence questions. The incumbent will work with employees, carriers, and vendors. This position will handle sensitive leave of absence information and issues that may require thorough research to resolve. Serve as the primary point of contact for leave of absence inquiries by actively managing the leaves mailbox. Serve as the team knowledge liaison and provide guidance to employees and managers regarding leave eligibility, rights, obligations, and requests, that include FMLA, ADA accommodations, personal leave, parental leave, military leave, and other applicable programs. Maintain up-to-date and accurate records of all leave cases in HRIS and leave management systems, ensuring confidentiality and compliance. Collaborate with third-party leave administrators, disability carriers, and payroll to coordinate leave cases and ensure accurate benefits continuation and pay Communicate with employees throughout the leave process, including sending notices, follow-ups, and requested documentation. Assist with the interactive process for ADA-related accommodations in collaboration with legal, safety and department leadership and maintain appropriate documentation. Respond to inquiries from employees, managers, and HR partners regarding leave policies, procedures, and case status. Stay informed of changes to federal, state, and local leave laws; recommend and support policy and process updates accordingly. Generate reports, track leave usage and support audits or legal reviews as needed. Ensure all required notices and documentation are issued and tracked in accordance with applicable laws and internal procedures. Provide timely and accurate communication to employees regarding leave eligibility, required documentation, and next steps. Demonstrates compliance with all bank regulations for assigned job function and applies to designated job responsibilities – knowledge may be gained through coursework and on-the-job training. Keeps up to date on regulation changes. Follows all Bank policies and procedures, compliance regulations, and completes all required annual or job-specific training. Maintain a working knowledge of Bank's written policies and procedures regarding Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation CC, Regulation E, Bank Security and other regulations as applicable to this job description. May be asked to coach, mentor, or train others and teach coursework as subject matter expert. Actively learns, demonstrates, and fosters the Columbia corporate culture in all actions and words. Takes personal initiative and is a positive example for others to emulate. About You: High School Diploma or GED, Required Associate’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field, Preferred 0-2 years Direct leaves experience with handling day-to-day administration Knowledgeable around compliance, procedures, and leave of absence requests Engaged, intuitive communication skills with strong service orientation Strong attention to detail and organizational skills with ability to manage multiple cases and deadlines. Proficient with Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook Familiarity with federal and state leave laws (e.g., FMLA, ADA, CFRA, WAPFML, PLO, etc.). Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion. Working knowledge of leave tracking systems (e.g., Workday, UKG, ADP, AbsenceSoft), preferred. Experience in a multi-state environment, preferred. The pay range for this role is $22.00 to $30.00. The pay rate for the selected candidate is dependent upon a variety of non-discriminatory factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, education, and geographic location. The role may be eligible for performance-based incentive compensation, and those details will be provided during the recruitment process. Primary Location: Ability to work fully onsite at posted location(s). 1301 A Street Tacoma WA 98402

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED, Required
• 0-2 years Direct leaves experience with handling day-to-day administration
• Knowledgeable around compliance, procedures, and leave of absence requests
• Engaged, intuitive communication skills with strong service orientation
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills with ability to manage multiple cases and deadlines.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook
• Familiarity with federal and state leave laws (e.g., FMLA, ADA, CFRA, WAPFML, PLO, etc.).
• Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion.

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field, Preferred
• Working knowledge of leave tracking systems (e.g., Workday, UKG, ADP, AbsenceSoft), preferred.
• Experience in a multi-state environment, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for leave of absence inquiries by actively managing the leaves mailbox.
• Serve as the team knowledge liaison and provide guidance to employees and managers regarding leave eligibility, rights, obligations, and requests, that include FMLA, ADA accommodations, personal leave, parental leave, military leave, and other applicable programs.
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate records of all leave cases in HRIS and leave management systems, ensuring confidentiality and compliance.
• Collaborate with third-party leave administrators, disability carriers, and payroll to coordinate leave cases and ensure accurate benefits continuation and pay
• Communicate with employees throughout the leave process, including sending notices, follow-ups, and requested documentation.
• Assist with the interactive process for ADA-related accommodations in collaboration with legal, safety and department leadership and maintain appropriate documentation.
• Respond to inquiries from employees, managers, and HR partners regarding leave policies, procedures, and case status.
• Stay informed of changes to federal, state, and local leave laws; recommend and support policy and process updates accordingly.
• Generate reports, track leave usage and support audits or legal reviews as needed.
• Ensure all required notices and documentation are issued and tracked in accordance with applicable laws and internal procedures.
• Provide timely and accurate communication to employees regarding leave eligibility, required documentation, and next steps.
• Demonstrates compliance with all bank regulations for assigned job function and applies to designated job responsibilities – knowledge may be gained through coursework and on-the-job training.
• Keeps up to date on regulation changes.
• Follows all Bank policies and procedures, compliance regulations, and completes all required annual or job-specific training.
• Maintain a working knowledge of Bank's written policies and procedures regarding Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation CC, Regulation E, Bank Security and other regulations as applicable to this job description.
• May be asked to coach, mentor, or train others and teach coursework as subject matter expert.
• Actively learns, demonstrates, and fosters the Columbia corporate culture in all actions and words.
• Takes personal initiative and is a positive example for others to emulate.

Benefits

• We offer eligible associates comprehensive healthcare coverage (medical, dental, and vision plans), a 401(k)-retirement savings plan with employer match for qualifying associate contributions, an employee assistance program, life insurance, disability insurance, tuition assistance, mental health resources, identity theft protection, legal support, auto and home insurance, pet insurance, access to an online discount marketplace, and paid vacation, sick days, volunteer days, and holidays.
• Benefit eligibility begins the first day of the month following the date of hire for associates who are regularly scheduled to work at least thirty hours weekly.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees