Benefits Specialist I (Leave Coordinator)

UofL; United States; On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Louisville is seeking a Benefits Specialist I Leave Coordinator to administer and coordinate employee leave programs in accordance with university policies and laws. The role services faculty, staff and supervisors as a primary resource on leave eligibility, documentation, timelines and return-to-work.

The Leave Coordinator ensures requests are processed accurately and confidentially, maintaining records and applying leave policies consistently across the university.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business or related field or equivalent experience.
• 1 year of experience in benefits, HRIS, or leave program administration preferred.
• Professional HR certifications such as CEBS, CBP, SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Administers and coordinates employee leave programs per university policies and laws.
• Track leave balances, deadlines, documentation, and return-to-work dates.
• Determine eligibility, collect certifications, and issue required notices.
• Assist employees with paperwork to start the leave process and explain rights.
• Collaborate with payroll and other departments to ensure accurate records and payments.
• Maintain confidentiality and stay updated on FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, and related laws.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business or related field

Tools

Workday

PeopleSoft

Job description

Department:

Benefits Location:

Time Type: Full time

Worker Type:

Regular Job Req ID:

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business or related field or equivalent combination of education and work experience. Grade 4 (Hourly) Position Description:

The Benefits Specialist I Leave Coordinator in the Department of Human Resources is responsible for administering and coordinating employee leave programs in accordance with university policies, applicable federal and state regulations. This position serves as a primary resource for employees (faculty and staff), supervisors, Human Resources staff, and university leadership regarding leave eligibility, documentation, timelines, and return-to-work processes.

The Leave Coordinator ensures that employee leave requests are processed accurately, confidentially, and in a timely manner while maintaining appropriate records and supporting consistent application of university leave policies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Administers the University of Louisville's leave programs (vacation, sick, FML, temporary medical leave, personal) in compliance with university policies and applicable laws and regulations.
• Track leave balances, leave periods, required documentation, deadlines, and return-to-work dates.
• Determines employee eligibility, requests and obtains completed certification and re-certification, and provides required notices.
• Responds to employee questions and assist employees in completing and submitting required paperwork to begin the leave process.
• Provide required notices as required under FMLA outlining status or group benefit coverage, other rights and obligations and requirements to return to work.
• Communicate with employees and managers regarding leave designation and status.
• Works with other internal departments (e.g., payroll) to ensure accurate recordkeeping and payments to employees.
• Ensures accurate tracking and reconciliation of benefit premiums while communicating effectively with employees, the Benefit's team, and direct bill provider.
• Respond to employee and supervisor questions and resolve routine leave-related issues.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive employee information and personnel records.
• Remain up to date on relevant laws, including FMLA, ADA, etc., and HIPAA and other privacy laws.
• Prepare and provide reports and data related to employee leave, trends, balances, and utilization to HR leadership.
• Recommend improvements to leave administration processes, procedures, forms, and communications.
• Acts as backup to the Benefits team by delivering timely assistance and guidance to employees on benefit-related matters.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• One year of experience in benefits, HRIS, and/or leave program administration and systems (i.e., Workday, PeopleSoft, etc.).
• Professional HR certification such as Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Certified Benefits Professional (CBP), SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP.

Competencies

• Proactive: anticipates and plans for problems before they arise.
• Service Excellence: responsive, informs constituents of process, pleasant to work with, educates and provides timely, accurate information.
• Organized: manages time effectively, keeps tasks appropriately prioritized.
• Critical Thinking: ability to think through issues and identify appropriate options.
• Work Ethic: motivated, diligent, industrious and persistent in the workplace, stays on tasks to completion, works at a fast pace to ensure optimal efficiency.
• Ability to perform all commonly applicable functions in the Microsoft Office 365 suite, effectively using it and other software applications to complete duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to work with confidential data.
• Dedication to customer service and seamless interdepartmental workflow, with a record of achieving/exceeding goals.
• Communication: Builds and maintains effective partnerships with employees, departments, and leadership to foster strong working relationships and collaborative partnerships.
• Flexible: ability to change directions as needed for the good of the department and/or university.
• Teamwork: ability to work with others, serve others, help others, lead others, mentor others, take directions from others in the interest of moving process and programs forward to the desired outcome.

Target Compensation Maximum: $32.98 Target Compensation Minimum: $21.99 Compensation will be commensurate to candidate experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Louisville is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The University strives to provide equal employment opportunity on the basis of merit and without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status, or pregnancy. In accordance with the Rehabilita