Protected Leave Specialist (HRC2) - Olympia

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position supports the agency's mission to protect children and strengthen families by providing independent professional Human Resource (HR) consultation, advice, and support to assigned regions or functional areas. You will consult with and provide assistance to managers, supervisors, and employees on a variety of HR matters, including DCYF policies and procedures, Civil Service laws (WAC), Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and laws and regulations related to protective leave. This includes the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), pregnancy disability, domestic violence leave, and military leave. This role operates with general guidance from higher-level HR professionals.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree with focus on business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field; OR Five (5) years of professional human resources experience, OR a mixture of relevant education and experience equaling five (5) years. OR One (1) year as Human Resource Consultant 1 (HRC1).
The ability to take action to learn and grow.
The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to explain complex information, navigate difficult conversations, resolve conflict, and build collaborative relationships.
Strong research, analytical, and independent decision-making skills, with the ability to identify solutions, provide proactive consultation, and recommend process improvements.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively, maintain confidentiality, and effectively manage multiple competing and time-sensitive priorities with minimal oversight.
Ability to support organizational change and provide training to managers and employees; proficiency with Microsoft Word and Outlook and the ability to use Microsoft Excel.
Degrees must be obtained from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or a foreign equivalent verified by a NACES-approved organization at naces.org. Foreign Equivalency certification must be attached to the application for degrees obtained outside the U.S.

Nice To Haves

SHRM-CP/SCP, S/PHR, or other professional HR certification
Professional experience providing consultation and administrative support within a Human Resources Office with regard to matters of protected leave.
Six (6) months or more experience using HRMS.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite programs, including SharePoint.

Responsibilities

Provide professional consultation to managers, supervisors, and employees on protected leave matters, including FMLA, PFML, pregnancy disability, domestic violence leave, military leave, and shared leave.
Explain applicable state and federal regulations, agency policies and procedures, and Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA); anticipate needs and identify appropriate benefits and protections available to employees.
Guide employees and supervisors through protected leave processes, including documentation requirements, required notifications, and determining FMLA eligibility through review of medical documentation.
Facilitate and participate in interactive meetings with employees and management regarding protected leave matters and prepare necessary paperwork for management approval.
Collaborate with higher-level HR Consultants on complex protected leave matters.
Assist managers and employees with reasonable accommodation, return-to-work, and transitional duty processes, including participating in interactive meetings and consulting on workers' compensation-related leave.
Maintain accurate and confidential documentation in Medical/Affirmative Action (Med/AA), Workplace Claims and Accommodations Unit (WCAU), shared leave, reasonable accommodation, and other applicable files; track protected leave activity and ensure required records retention.
Provide back-up support to Protected Leave Consultants across other coverage areas as needed.
Provide guidance, support, training, and assistance to new and lower-level HR Consultants.
Conduct HR-related research; compile and analyze reports and statistical data; review HR reports for quality assurance and process corrections as needed.
Create and maintain confidential HR electronic files in compliance with personnel rules (WAC), agency policies, and Collective Bargaining Agreements.
Compose HR-related correspondence and provide training and coaching on protected leave and other HR-related matters, as needed.
Attend and actively participate in HR unit and HR Programs team meetings.