Leave of Absence Specialist

HealthPartners is hiring a Leave of Absence Specialist. The Leave of Absence Specialist will function as the liaison between colleagues and leaders and a leave claims administrator to effectively administer LOA claims and advise employees on eligibility, coverage, and other leave matters. This position assists colleagues, leaders and HR partners in answering questions regarding the leave programs. They are responsible for providing professional, high-quality customer service through various communication channels, including phone, email, tickets, and online chat. This position will oversee and may administer leave requests requiring specialized attention, particularly those arising under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), state and local leave laws and paid leave programs, and company sponsored short-term or long-term disability plans.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education, Experience or Equivalent Combination:

  • Associate of Arts degree or 2 years of equivalent experience or one year experience in human resources or employee benefits administration

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interpret interpersonal queues
  • Effective interpersonal and customer service skills
  • Ability to multitask and work independently using professional judgment and policy guidelines
  • Strong computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Word and Excel.
  • Ability to take ownership of assigned projects and handle competing priorities
  • Career oriented, creative, self-starter searching for the opportunity to grow within the organization

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education, Experience or Equivalent Combination:

  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or equivalent experience
  • More than two years' experience in leave of absence administration working with regulatory leaves
  • Experience as an LOA administrator or specialist

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Knowledge of state leave and federal FMLA regulations
  • Knowledge of relevant state regulations, HIPPA and American with Disabilities Act
  • Experience with Microsoft Outlook, Access, Visio, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Provide exceptional customer service and guidance to employees and leaders regarding leave of absence policies, procedures, and entitlement, ensuring timely and accurate response to inquires.
2. Monitor LOA policies and procedures, coordinating across multiple types of leave and benefit programs for effective application and compliance with company leave pay programs.
3. Act as liaison between third-party administrator for Leave of Absence and internal partners.
4. Provide routine support for all Absence Management programs including FMLA, Short and Long Term Disability, ADA, State Mandated Leaves, and Workers Compensation.
5. Responsible for researching and resolving issues by interacting with colleagues, leave claims administrator and internal partners.
6. Monitor benefits provided by state leave programs and coordinate payment of additional supplemental benefits provided under company sponsored disability and paid time off plans.
7. HRIS data entry including leave initiation, processing applicable paid time off for unpaid leaves in timekeeping system, and return from leave.
8. Manage benefits and billing process when employees are on an unpaid leave of absence and as needed, move benefits to COBRA.
9. Work with Employee Health and local HR teams to coordinate return to work" LOA team's involvement in the interactive process may need to be evaluated and then added here if it becomes part of the role.
10. Maintain knowledge of all state and federal regulations and laws and ensure all information remains confidential.
11. Administers other company time-off programs as assigned in accordance with internal policy and applicable laws.
12. Maintain utmost confidentiality, professionalism, positive attitude and integrity in all customer and colleague interactions.
13. Perform other duties or special projects as directed.

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