Protected Leave & Accommodation Manager (WMS2/DLS)

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position provides expert human resource guidance and operational leadership to the Protected Leave and Accommodation Team. It is responsible for directing, managing, and maintaining the agency’s Protected Leave and Accommodations program for approximately 1,800 HCA employees throughout the state. The role ensures legal compliance, strategy formulation, administration, consultation, and resolution of issues for various protected leaves and accommodations, including FMLA, PFML, ADA, WLAD, PWFA, HSA, USERRA, Shared Leave, and other legally protected leaves. Additionally, this position serves as the agency’s Workers Compensation Coordinator, managing all Labor and Industries (L&I) workers’ compensation claims and the Infants at the Workplace program. It provides expert interpretation and consultation to agency employees, supervisors, and executive leadership regarding relevant WACs, RCWs, Collective Bargaining Agreements, policies, and procedures. The incumbent is responsible for reducing and mitigating risks associated with protected leaves, reasonable accommodation, and Worker’s Compensation claims (including Return to Work) on behalf of the agency.

Requirements

Broad-based senior-level professional human resource competencies, which includes professional knowledge and legal understanding of: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodation (RA), and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Professional human resource competencies must include the demonstrated ability to: Determine accurate FMLA eligibility.
Implement effective and ADA compliant reasonable accommodations.
Process worker’s compensation claims.
Understand WA state’s PFML eligibility.
Understand authorizing environments for professional personnel administration in public sector employment.
Research complex HR data, apply appropriate legal and policy requirements, and develop appropriate options.
Resolve complex or difficult human resources issues having broad potential impact.
Understand and apply complex human resource related laws, rules, and policies.
Interpret and apply concepts in the context of a dynamic workforce.
Effectively manage competing priorities.
Effectively communicate complex ideas and information orally and in writing regarding highly technical and sensitive matters to diverse groups of people.
Maintain the highest level of confidentiality at all times.
Anticipate problems and use appropriate independent judgment during challenging situations.
Understand the customer’s organization and mission and provide proactive guidance.
Use appropriate channels of communication; foster effective working relationships, maintain composure during tense situations and propose solutions to resolve conflict.
Develop and deliver HR-related trainings in area of expertise.
Take action to learn and grow.
Take action to meet the needs of others.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field.
Six (6) or more years of recent direct experience as a Protected Leave Specialist or similar role in Washington State government.
Certification as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
Certification through the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) as a Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).
Understanding of Medicaid, Public Employee Benefits, and the mission and organizational structure of HCA.

Responsibilities

Research legislation, case law, and trends relating to ADA, WLAD, FMLA, PFML, USERRA, Shared Leave, PWFA/HSA, and Workers Compensation and develops and updates agency policies, procedures, and practices to ensure compliance with federal and state requirements and reduce agency liability.
Develops and presents training to agency leaders in areas of assigned responsibilities to support agency-wide compliance with federal, state, and agency requirements.
Conducts legislative analysis on behalf of the agency for bills related to scope of assigned subject matter expertise.
Provides subject-matter expertise and participates in internal agency investigations in response to HRC/EEOC complaints, as requested.
Develops and maintains processes and databases for case management, documentation, and analysis, for all assigned programs.
Independently manages, maintains, monitors and/or assigns case load of employees requesting RA, FMLA, PFML, and Shared Leave, ensuring documentation is received.
Facilitates the interactive RA process with management and employees, including: reviews medical information to assess accommodation needs; explores options and negotiates appropriate accommodations consistent with business needs, documented medical necessity, and reasonableness under the ADA.
Provides advice on implementation of agreed upon accommodation(s) to applicants/employees, supervisors, and managers.
Reviews cases, researches options, and consult with senior Human Resources Management and/or Assistant Attorney General (AAG) staff to formulate strategies to minimize agency legal exposure when addressing unprecedented cases.
Consults with senior management to review and determine options for managing complex cases and facilitates the interactive RA process according to planned strategy.
Manages all Labor and Industries (L&I) workers’ compensation claims for the agency.
Manages the Infants at the Workplace program.