People Ops Leave & Employee Benefits Administrator

Charlotte, County of•1050 Loveland Blvd Port Charlotte FL 33980, FL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Performs professional and technical support of employees while ensuring organizational compliance with all applicable leave laws and benefits laws, regulations, and policies. This position is responsible for the full-cycle administration of leave of absence programs, including Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans Disability Act (ADA), personal, military leaves, and other statutory or collectively bargained leaves, as well as retiree and benefits programs. Serves as a trusted resource for employees and management, providing timely, accurate, and empathetic guidance on leave, accommodations, benefits, and retirement-related matters, including liaison responsibilities with the Florida Retirement Systems (FRS) and support of deferred compensation programs. Requires a strong understanding of employment and benefits law, attention to detail, effective communication skills, and a proactive, solutions-oriented approach. The Leave Administrator will partner closely with People Operations, Payroll, vendors, and department leaders to ensure a seamless, compliant and positive employee experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree Preferred: Human Resources Business Administration Public Administration Risk Management
Three (3) years of experience in leave administration, employee benefits, including experience with group health plans, disability/leave programs and regulatory compliance.
Strong understanding of employment and benefits law
Attention to detail
Effective communication skills
Proactive, solutions-oriented approach

Nice To Haves

Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
Certified Employee Benefit Specialist
Certified HIPAA Administrator
Certified COBRA Administrator

Responsibilities

Administer full-cycle leave of absence programs, including FMLA, ADA, military, personal, and other leave programs established by statute, County policy, and collective bargaining agreements, encompassing intake, eligibility determination, documentation, tracking, and return-to-work coordination.
Oversee and administer comprehensive employee, retiree, and post-retiree benefits programs (medical, dental, vision, disability, life, COBRA, voluntary benefits, and related programs), including enrollment, eligibility, and ongoing administration.
Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including administration of required notices, documentation, deadlines, and reporting while providing prompt and equitable resolution for county employees.
Communicate with medical providers, management and employees regarding leave status, documentation requirements and related inquiries on an ongoing basis.
Maintain accurate records and systems, ensuring confidentiality, secure storage, and compliance with data protection requirements.
Manage and monitor claims and case activity (leave, disability, life, and related benefits), including tracking deadlines, reviewing documentation, and resolving discrepancies or disputes.
Coordinate with People Operations, Payroll, Risk, vendors, and third-party administrators to ensure accurate administration and continuity of pay and benefits.
Maintain reporting and data analysis on leave and benefits activity; analyze trends and support compliance and decision-making.
Lead or support employee communication and education efforts, including new hire orientation, open enrollment, leave education, and development of benefits materials ensuring employees understand their rights, responsibilities, and available resources.
Maintains compliance with Florida’s military leave protections for service members and reservists, particularly for public-sector employees.
Manage the ADA interactive process and reasonable accommodations, including coordination of return-to-work planning with employees, providers, and departments.
Analyze trends, conduct research, and recommend policy, program, and process improvements to enhance compliance and efficiency.
Act as liaison to the Florida Retirement System (FRS) State Board of Administration; serve as subject matter expert on retirement and deferred compensation programs; and process related transactions.
Provide customer-focused problem resolution, including mediation of complex leave and benefits issues with employees, providers, and vendors.