Protected Leave and Accommodations Specialist (HRC3/ERD)

State of Washington • Thurston County – Olympia, WA

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position provides expert-level HR consultation on legally protected leave programs, including FMLA, Washington's Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), reasonable accommodations, and workers’ compensation. It involves independent caseload management and requires deep knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and policies. The role is based in Olympia and eligible for part-time telework after initial in-person training. All employees are expected to apply an equity lens to their work.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field and two (2) years of broad-based professional human resources experience that includes experience with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and reasonable accommodation, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), worker’s compensation programs, and other legally protected leave types.
• Associate degree in human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field and four (4) years of broad-based professional human resources experience that includes at least two (2) years’ experience with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and reasonable accommodation, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), worker’s compensation programs, and other legally protected leave types.
• Six (6) years of broad-based professional human resources experience that includes at least two (2) years’ experience with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and reasonable accommodation, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), worker’s compensation programs, and other legally protected leave types.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated Ability to Resolve complex or difficult human resources issues having broad potential impact.
• Use independent judgment during challenging situations.
• Anticipate problems and influence new ways of thinking.
• Communicate with compassion and empathy, as well as clarity and firmness when facing emotional situations.
• Assess problems and propose actions and resources to accomplish change and gain agreement.
• Listen to and understand individual employee situations and customer’s organizational/business needs to provide proactive and sound guidance.
• Create and maintain accurate records with strong attention to detail.
• Assess and advise on relative risk associated with proposed courses of action.
• Present complex ideas and information in a way that is understandable and appropriate for the audience.
• Use appropriate channels of communication.
• Foster effective working relationships.
• Propose solutions to resolve conflict.
• Develop and deliver HR related trainings.
• Analyze, interpret, and apply HR data, laws, regulations, and policies in a fast-paced work environment.
• Effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding technical and sensitive matters to diverse groups of people.
• Prioritize workload to ensure legal compliance and responsive customer service.
• Recognize when to seek assistance and/or elevate issues to supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Determine FMLA eligibility and conduct the approval and designation process.
• Provide consultation and required notifications regarding PFML to employees.
• Identify appropriate types of protected leave that may apply to individuals.
• Explain processes for requesting protected leave, including documentation and approval periods.
• Anticipate needs and suggest appropriate benefits and protections for which staff are eligible.
• Notify employees and management of approvals and conditions for use of protected leave.
• Provide timely notification regarding depletion of protected leave options and consultation on next steps.
• Advise employees and management regarding leave sharing programs, including application processes and criteria for approval and use of donated leave.
• Process and tracks cases in accordance with various Washington State Shared Leave programs.
• Facilitate the interactive reasonable accommodation (RA) process for routine accommodations.
• Provide support for complex and contentious cases, such as those that may lead to reassignment or disability separation.
• Proactively advise and consult with HCA management, health care professionals, and HR colleagues to identify the need for or changes in accommodation, to assess reasonableness of requested accommodations, and to obtain required supporting medical information.
• Draft summaries of interactive RA processes and agreements as well as voluntary and involuntary medical employment actions.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding employee health conditions.
• Independently maintain complete, appropriate, and accurate records for case management and monitoring, legal compliance and defensibility for assigned caseload.
• Communicate and coordinate with HR staff on a regular and ongoing basis to ensure consistency in consultation and advice.
• Maintain working relationships with agency staff and management, Union organizations and their representatives, and a variety of professionals.
• Assist in the development and presentation of training for management and staff.
• Attend training and reviews legislation, laws, and regulations to keep up to date in assigned program areas.
• Assist in the management of workers’ compensation claims, helping injured workers to return to work as soon as medically appropriate.
• Coordinate with L&I claim managers, medical providers, supervisors, and injured workers to ensure efficient and timely management of workers’ claims and the facilitation of the employee’s return to work.
• Partner with the agency’s Ergonomics Specialist and Facilities Team to coordinate ergonomic assessments and adjustments and to implement facilities-based and ergonomics-based accommodations for disabled and injured workers.

Benefits

• Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve
• A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered
• A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
• A great total compensation and benefit package
• WA State Government Benefits
• A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby.
• Free parking!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level