Leave Specialist

Menzies Aviation Careers•Grapevine, TX

About The Position

The Leave Specialist monitors the medical management and administration of leaves of absence, including FMLA, MLOA, workers’ compensation, return-to-work (RTW), and transitional-duty cases. The role applies expertise in leave and disability programs, early intervention, safe return-to-work practices, and workplace accommodations in partnership with employees, supervisors, and managers. It also serves as a subject matter expert for leave programs and delivers customer service while supporting compliance and operational efficiency. The Specialist administers the company’s RTW program, identifies transitional-duty assignments that meet employees’ medical restrictions, coordinates RTW offers, and trains business partners on the process. The role works with employees, management, vendors, insurance carriers, and healthcare providers to manage occupational absences confidentially, obtain required documentation on time, and develop proactive strategies that support both employees and business needs. It tracks workplace trends, supports program improvements through data analysis and recordkeeping, maintains leave-related technology, manages vendor relationships, and participates in audits as needed. The position requires keeping current with relevant state and federal laws, regulations, and collective bargaining provisions; maintaining confidentiality and HIPAA compliance; and making decisions regarding reasonable accommodations and the interactive process. The Specialist regularly works with managers and labor and employee relations teams to develop strategies for workforce-management issues. All employees are also expected to follow company health, safety, and security requirements, report hazards and incidents, attend company-arranged training, and promote applicable aviation safety and security standards.

Requirements

Completion of post-secondary education or an equivalent combination of education and demonstrated work experience in a related field.
Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and monitoring return-to-work and accommodation programs.
Demonstrated experience interpreting relevant employment, workers’ compensation, and disability policies, procedures, legislation, and regulations.
Progressive experience with timely, safe return-to-work strategies.
Knowledge of workers’ compensation law and familiarity with the ADA, FMLA, and state-equivalent leave laws.
Understanding of current absence-management best practices for occupational and non-occupational illnesses and injuries.
Self-motivated and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, meet tight deadlines, prioritize, and complete work in a fast-paced, changing, high-demand environment.
Solid time-management, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Knowledge of computer and software applications, including Microsoft Windows NT, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Claims Management, and Outlook.
Carry out work in accordance with provided information and training and workplace health and safety procedures; understand company health and safety policy.
Cooperate with managers or supervisors on legal requirements and report work situations, equipment, hazards, near misses, incidents, accidents, or dangerous occurrences that may present safety risks.

Responsibilities

Administer leave processes, including FMLA, MLOA, workers’ compensation, return-to-work, and transitional-duty cases.
Maintain technology needs related to leave administration and manage vendor relationships to improve efficiency.
Monitor and address areas of concern with stakeholders to improve lost-time outcomes.
Keep current on leave-related trends, innovations, legislation, regulations, and collective bargaining provisions.
Serve as a subject matter expert for leave programs and maintain confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
Conduct or support internal and external audits as needed.
Make reasonable-accommodation decisions and participate in the interactive process.
Meet with managers, labor relations, and employee relations to develop workforce-management strategies.
Implement and administer the company’s Return to Work Program.
Identify potential transitional-duty assignments within employees’ medical restrictions and coordinate return-to-work offers.
Train business partners on the company’s return-to-work process.
Build relationships among employees, vendors, and management to understand and improve the return-to-work process.
Coordinate with employees, management, insurance carriers, and healthcare providers in the confidential management of occupational absences.
Interact with employees and medical providers to ensure required documentation is completed promptly.
Develop proactive return-to-work strategies that support employees and business needs.
Track workplace trends and assist with implementing programs to address them.
Support the return-to-work process through data analysis and recordkeeping.
Deliver superior customer service and perform other duties as assigned.
Follow health and safety requirements, report hazards and incidents, cooperate with managers on legal requirements, and attend company-arranged training.