Benefits & Leave of Absence Coordinator

Department of Correction; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York City Department of Correction seeks an experienced Benefits and Leave of Absence Coordinator to join the Employee Services Unit. You will autonomously manage benefits administration, FMLA and other leave requests, retirement consultations, and related communications for agency staff.

You will coordinate training, prepare materials, and liaise with NYC agencies to resolve benefit and leave issues, supporting operations and workforce well-being.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and two years of experience in community work or related activity.
• High school graduation or equivalent with six years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Assess and manage employee benefits administration including retirement services, health benefits, and related plans.
• Handle leaves of absence including FMLA, PPL, PFL, Medical, Personal, Workers' Comp, and audits.
• Provide retirement consultations and prepare benefit-related correspondence and training materials.
• Coordinate benefits roadshow and New Hire Orientation presentations.
• Liaise with NYC agencies to determine benefit programs and resolve issues.
• Compile reports on leaves of absence and retirement trends.
• Collaborate with Payroll, Timekeeping, EEO, Trials and Litigation, Health Management, Investigation, and Applicant Investigation units.

Skills

Confidentiality

Verbal communication

Multi-tasking

Prioritization

Organization skills

Attention to detail

Critical thinking

Analytical

Problem-solving

FMLA knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree + 2 years related experience

High school diploma + 6 years related experience

Equivalent combo with 1+ year related experience

Job description

The New York City Department of Correction has an opening in its Employee Services Unit for an experienced Benefits and Leave of Absence Coordinator. Reporting to the Unit Supervisors and Deputy Director, the selected candidate will have the autonomy to exercise independent judgment and initiative. The key responsibilities of this position include:

• Assessing, reviewing, and completing work related to employee benefits administration. This includes, but is not limited to, service and disability retirements, health benefits, the deferred compensation plan, management benefits fund, union benefits, pension enrollments, and Social Security administration.
• Assessing, reviewing, and completing work related to employees’ leaves of absence. This includes handling requests for the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Paid Parental Leave (PPL), Paid Family Leave (PFL), Medical Leave, Personal Leave of Absence, Workers' Compensation leave, and conducting leave and time balance audits.
• Overseeing and conducting retirement consultations for employees who submit retirement requests.
• Preparing written correspondence regarding employee benefits and leaves of absence, researching information related to retirement and leaves, and providing technical assistance to resolve issues for employees.
• Coordinating the employee benefits "roadshow" training for agency staff, providing technical oversight into program planning and development. This includes preparing training outlines, brochures, and materials, as well as conducting presentations on employee benefits and leaves of absence. The coordinator will also oversee the unit's presentation on employee benefits during New Hire Orientation.
• Maintains communication with relevant agencies regarding employee benefits, including the NYC Office of Labor Relations, NYC Employees' Retirement System, NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services, NYCAPS, and the Social Security Administration, to facilitate the determination of benefit programs for agency staff.
• Collaborates with all Facility Personnel Supervisors, Captains, Wardens, and Deputy Wardens, as well as multiple agency divisions and units such as Payroll, Timekeeping, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Trials and Litigation, Health Management Division, Investigation Division, and the Applicant Investigation Unit. This collaboration secures the necessary information and documentation and provides status updates related to employees' long-term leaves of absence and benefits requests.
• Oversees, compiles, and develops statistical reports on long-term leaves of absence and retirement to identify trends and forecast outcomes.
• Analyzes reports regarding employees who are either "missing in action" or "absent without leave" to provide production indicators to HR management.

COMMUNITY COORDINATOR - 56058

Minimum Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
• High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
• Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above.

Preferred Skills

• Ability to maintain high level of confidentiality
• Verbal communication skills, strong multi-tasking, prioritization and organization skills
• Attention to detail, critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of state and federal FMLA regulations

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.