Benefits, Leaves, & Accommodations Manager

California State University, Bakersfield; California; On-site; USD 87,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental plans

Vision coverage

CalPERS retirement

Tuition waiver

Vacation days

Sick leave

Paid holidays

Job summary

California State University, Bakersfield seeks an Administrator I to lead Benefits, Leaves & Accommodations Administration on-site. You will manage daily benefits operations, leave programs, and related staff activities, ensuring accurate records and timely processing.

The role requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent with three years of HR experience, plus strong knowledge of leave laws, confidentiality, and CSU policies. Open to all qualified applicants; priority deadline October 13, 2026.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to a bachelor's degree and three years of HR experience with benefits, leave, and accommodations.
• Experience supervising staff and handling confidential information.
• Knowledge of federal and California leave laws (FMLA/CFRA/CFDA) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee benefits, leave, and accommodation programs and related transactions.
• Supervise staff, assign work, and ensure service delivery meets deadlines.
• Ensure compliance with CSU policies and applicable laws.

Skills

Benefits administration

Leave management

Disability accommodations

Staff supervision

Compliance knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CHRS

Job description

CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Administrator I

UNION CODE: M80

FT/PT: Full-time

PAY PLAN: 12-month

WORKPLACE TYPE: On-site (work in-person at business location)

ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $7,834 - $9,167

• However, offer amount will be commensurate with candidate’s experience, education, skills, and training.

CSU CLASSIFICATION SALARY RANGE: $4,135 – $12,288

PAY BASIS: Monthly

BENEFITS: CSUB offers a best-in-class benefit package for eligible employees that includes an array of medical plans, choice of dental plans, vision coverage, retirement participation in CalPERS, CSU tuition waiver, up to 24 vacation days per year, sick leave with unlimited accrual, 15 paid holidays per year and more! See our benefits website for additional information.

CANDIDATES ELIGIBLE TO APPLY: Open to all qualified applicants

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT: FOR PRIORITY CONSIDERATION, applications must be received by October 13, 2026 ; however, the position will remain open until filled.

POSITION PURPOSE

Under the administrative direction of the Assistant Vice President for Human Resources & Payroll Administration, the Manager of Benefits, Leaves & Accommodations manages the day-to-day administration of employee benefits for the University and its auxiliaries, as well as the University’s leave of absence and disability accommodation programs. The manager interprets and applies applicable laws, collective bargaining agreements, CSU policies, and established procedures; assigns and reviews staff work; resolves escalated operational and case-specific issues; and helps ensure employees receive timely, accurate, consistent, and equitable service.

The position monitors daily operations and participates in ongoing program work as needed. The manager develops and implements procedures for the assigned functional areas, provides guidance to employees and managers, coordinates with campus and Chancellor's Office partners, monitors service and compliance measures, and recommends modifications to departmental or campus practices.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION

• Manage daily administration of CSU employee benefit programs for the campus and its auxiliaries and related transactions, including enrollment changes, qualifying life events, eligibility determinations, benefit deductions, and separation or retirement-related benefit processes within the scope assigned to the campus.
• Review escalated employee benefit questions and transaction discrepancies; research records in CHRS, State Controller's Office systems, vendor systems, and other sources; determine corrective action within delegated authority; and ensure appropriate follow-through.
• Oversee benefits billing and collections activities, including accounts receivable documentation, payroll deduction or collection arrangements, employee communications, and follow-up on outstanding balances.
• Coordinate campus Affordable Care Act administration by reviewing eligibility and compliance reports, resolving discrepancies, monitoring required notifications, and ensuring accurate and timely records.
• Serve as the primary operational liaison with the Chancellor's Office and benefit plan or system partners regarding specific program requirements, transactions, reporting, and problem resolution; elevate policy or systemwide interpretation issues as appropriate.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment, the benefits fair, and other benefit communications and activities by developing implementation timelines, reviewing information and materials for accuracy, assigning and monitoring related tasks, coordinating event logistics, and responding to escalated questions.
• Monitor the accuracy and timeliness of benefits data and transactions, conduct periodic reviews and reconciliations, and ensure identified errors are corrected and documented.
• Respond to CalPERS-related audits, process requests for service credit purchases, and provide retirement-related information to staff and faculty as needed.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE & ACCOMMODATIONS ADMINISTRATION

• Manage the day-to-day administration of employee leave programs, including FMLA, CFRA, Pregnancy Disability Leave, CSU family and medical leave provisions, disability leave, parental leave, and other applicable contractual or statutory leaves.
• Review leave requests and supporting documentation; determine eligibility and applicable leave designations within delegated authority; ensure required notices are issued; and monitor certification, recertification, exhaustion, and return-to-work timelines.
• Manage disability accommodation cases by coordinating the interactive process, gathering and assessing relevant information, identifying effective accommodation options, documenting case activity, and facilitating implementation of approved accommodations.
• Evaluate escalated leave and accommodation questions, apply established laws, policies, collective bargaining agreement provisions, and procedures to individual circumstances, and provide guidance to employees, managers, and HR staff.
• Coordinate with Employee & Labor Relations, Payroll, Safety & Risk Management, Workers' Compensation, supervisors, health-care providers, and other parties when leave, pay, benefits, work restrictions, or return-to-work requirements overlap.
• Monitor active cases, statutory and contractual deadlines, documentation requirements, and follow-up activities to support timely and consistent case resolution.
• Review sensitive or complex matters with the AVP and appropriate partners when the issue is novel, precedent-setting, high-risk, or may require an exception to established policy or practice.
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure leave and medical records are retained separately and handled in accordance with legal, CSU, and departmental requirements.

STAFF SUPERVISION & LEADERSHIP

• Directly supervise assigned staff, including participating in selection, onboarding, training, work assignment, scheduling, performance management, and professional development activities.
• Establish work priorities and service expectations; monitor daily operations, deadlines, caseloads, and backlogs; redistribute assignments when necessary; and ensure adequate coverage for essential functions.
• Provide technical direction and consultation on benefits, leave, and accommodation processes; assist staff in resolving unusual operational problems; and determine when matters require escalation.
• Promote consistent, equitable, and service-centered practices by documenting expectations, reinforcing confidentiality requirements, and addressing workflow or performance concerns in consultation with higher-level management and HR as appropriate.
• Perform ongoing program tasks and handle assigned cases or transactions during peak periods, absences, or when workload complexity requires direct managerial involvement.

COMPLIANCE, COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTING

• Develop, maintain, and implement desk procedures, forms, templates, case-management tools, and internal controls for assigned benefits, leave, and accommodation functions consistent with established law, CSU policy, collective bargaining agreements, and campus direction.
• Monitor changes in applicable laws, regulations, CSU guidance, and benefit program requirements; assess operational effects; update procedures and communications; and recommend needed modifications to departmental or campus practices.
• Prepare and deliver practical guidance and training for managers and employees on leave requests, accommodation processes, benefit enrollment, return-to-work responsibilities, and related procedures.
• Review program data and trends, including caseloads, timeliness, error rates, recurring questions, leave usage, and accommodation activity, to identify service gaps, compliance concerns, and opportunities for process improvement.
• Prepare routine and ad hoc reports for management, audits, and program review; verify the accuracy and completeness of supporting data and documentation.
• Coordinate specific phases of audits, system implementations, and departmental projects affecting assigned programs, and communicate status, issues, and resource needs to the AVP.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE – Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in human resources, business administration, public administration, or a related field and three (3) years of progressively responsible professional human resources experience that includes substantive responsibility for employee benefits, leave administration, and/or disability accommodations. The required education and experience may be met through an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position's duties. Experience should include providing lead direction or supervision to other staff.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES (SKA’s)

• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• General knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts, practices, and procedures of human resources management, with working knowledge of employee benefits, leave administration, and disability accommodation processes.
• Working knowledge of applicable federal and California leave and disability laws, including FMLA, CFRA, Pregnancy Disability Leave, ADA, and FEHA, and the ability to apply requirements to individual cases.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, policies, collective bargaining agreements, procedures, and benefit program rules; identify issues that fall outside established guidance; and refer matters appropriately.
• Ability to analyze facts and documentation, identify options, exercise sound judgment, and provide practical solutions to a variety of operational and employee-specific problems.
• Ability to manage multiple cases, transactions, projects, and deadlines while maintaining accurate, complete, and confidential records.
• Ability to communicate complex or sensitive information clearly and professionally to employees, managers, administrators, and program partners.
• Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations with tact, discretion, neutrality, and respect, and to support consistent and equitable treatment of employees.
• Ability to supervise staff, assign and monitor work, provide clear direction, evaluate performance, address work-quality concerns, and support employee development.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner.
• Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Excellent computer skills and competence with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, online systems, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
• Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure.
• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
• Must be able to work occasional holidays and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Professional human resources experience in a higher education, public-sector, or unionized environment.
• Experience administering CSU benefits, leave, or accommodation programs and using CHRS and State Controller's Office systems.
• Experience supervising professional or technical staff responsible for employee benefits, leave administration, or related HR services.
• Professional certification such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or Certified Leave Management Specialist.
• Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment possessing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

SEDENTARY WORK – involves mainly sitting; minimal walking and standing; lifting light weight objects limited to 15 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

N/A

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

SCREENING

Only those applicants possessing experience most directly related to the immediate needs of the office will be invited to appear before a Qualifications Appraisal Board for the purpose of appraising training, experience, and interest in the position.

BACKGROUND CHECK

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Education Code 89521 Requirements

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last seven years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

SENSITIVE POSITION

Sensitive positions are designated by the CSU as requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position, based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of the people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to the CSU or individuals in the university community.

MANDATED REPORTER

The person holding this position is considered a limited mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

A “designated position” in the CSU’s Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

GENERAL INFORMATION

It is the policy of California State University, Bakersfield to hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to present documentation verifying their right to accept employment. You will also be requested to present a social security card at the time of initial appointment in compliance with state payroll regulations. State regulations require that every state employee sign the Oath of Allegiance prior to commencing the duties of his/her State employment, except legally employed non-citizens. These individuals are required to sign the Declaration of Permission to Work.

The California State University (“CSU”), including California State University, Bakersfield is committed to an inclusive and equitable community that values diversity and fosters mutual respect. All students and employees have the right to participate fully in CSU programs, activities, admission, and employment free from discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and retaliation. The CSU Nondiscrimination Policy prohibits discrimination and harassment based on any protected status, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, prohibited consensual relationships, and retaliation.

Campus contact for our Nondiscrimination policy is Allan Williams, Associate Vice President of Civil Rights & Compliance, [phone].