Leave Specialist

Cascade Steel Rolling Mills, Inc.•Portland, OR

2d•$31 - $41•Hybrid

About The Position

The Leave Specialist serves as the primary internal resource for all leave of absence administration, acting as the critical link between employees, the company's third-party leave administration vendor, and internal HR stakeholders. In this support role, the Leave Specialist guides employees through every stage of the leave lifecycle from initial request through return to work, ensuring they feel informed, supported, and treated with care and confidentiality. Working in close partnership with HR Business Partners and under the direction of the HR Manager, the Leave Specialist manages the day-to-day operational functions of leave administration including case tracking, documentation follow-up, benefits premium coordination, and return-to-work communication. This role requires a strong working knowledge of federal and state leave laws including FMLA, ADA, and applicable state programs, as well as the ability to identify compliance gaps and escalate complex matters appropriately. The Leave Specialist is a detail oriented, employee focused professional who plays an integral role in ensuring the company's leave program operates accurately, consistently, and in full alignment with regulatory requirements. This position offers competitive pay along with a variety of benefits including medical, dental and vision plans for both you and your dependents; 401k with company match, paid time off which starts with your first check, and paid holidays.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered
Minimum 2-4 years of experience in leave of absence administration, HR operations, or a related HR support role
Working experience with FMLA, ADA, and state leave programs required; experience with Oregon and Washington state-specific leave laws including Oregon Paid Leave and Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (WA PFML) strongly preferred
Prior experience working with a third-party leave administration vendor preferred
Experience in a shared services or high-volume HR environment a plus

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with HRIS platforms and leave management systems; ability to learn and navigate vendor portals and reporting tools
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple open cases simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex leave information in a clear and accessible manner
Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate recordkeeping and documentation

Responsibilities

Serves as the internal point of contact for all leave of absence requests (FMLA, state leave, ADA, personal, military, parental, etc.), ensuring cases are properly initiated and routed through the company's third-party leave administration vendor to support seamless intake and timely delivery of required employee notices
Functions as a trusted internal resource for employees throughout the leave lifecycle, clarifying and reinforcing information received from the vendor, explaining the interaction between FMLA, state leave, ADA, STD, and PTO, and ensuring employees feel informed and supported at every stage with a compassionate and confidential approach
Acts as the internal liaison responsible for maintaining accurate and consistent information flow between the vendor, employees, and HR stakeholders throughout the leave lifecycle
Tracks intermittent leave usage and monitors employee leave balances in coordination with vendor reporting and system data
Follows up with employees on missing or incomplete medical certifications and escalates unresolved documentation issues to the HR Manager in a timely manner
Reviews return-to-work dates provided by the vendor and communicates them to managers and payroll to ensure seamless and well-coordinated transitions
Flags potential ADA accommodation needs when leave is exhausted or a disability is identified, and supports the interactive process by gathering relevant documentation and escalating decisions to the HR Manager
Tracks benefit premium obligations for employees on leave, communicates payment options and deadlines when payroll deductions are suspended, and coordinates with Payroll and Benefits to collect missed premiums and process repayment arrangements upon the employee's return
Identifies gaps between vendor procedures and internal HR practices, brings recommendations to the HR Manager, and supports the development of manager and employee-facing resources to promote understanding of leave processes and effective use of the vendor
Performs additional duties as assigned