HR Specialist – Leaves, ADA & Workers’ Compensation

Merit HR (Merit Resource Group); Hayward (CA); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Job summary

Merit HR (Merit Resource Group) is partnering with a stable nonprofit in California to fill an HR Specialist role focused on leaves, reasonable accommodations and workers’ compensation. You’ll manage cases, navigate the interactive process and ensure compliant, thoughtful outcomes for employees and managers.

The position offers hybrid work with occasional travel to properties, and requires 2+ years of HR experience in ADA, leave management, and workers’ compensation.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of HR experience with exposure to ADA, leave management and workers’ compensation.
• Strong knowledge of California and federal leave laws.
• Hands-on experience managing accommodations and the interactive process.
• Sound judgment, follow-through, and ability to manage complex cases independently.
• Service-oriented style and confidence working with employees and managers.
• Generalist experience is a plus.
• Spanish/English bilingual skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage leaves of absence including FMLA, CFRA, PFL, disability and personal leaves.
• Lead the ADA interactive process and evaluate reasonable accommodation requests.
• Guide managers on workplace accommodations and restrictions.
• Manage workers’ compensation claims and related documentation.
• Coordinate with payroll and benefits to ensure accurate pay and leave administration.
• Maintain strong documentation and compliance practices.
• Stay current on California and federal leave, ADA and workers’ compensation requirements.
• Support employee relations and other HR initiatives as needed.
• Occasional travel to properties as needed.

Skills

Leave management

ADA compliance

Workers’ compensation

HR generalist

Job description

If you know California leaves, ADA accommodations and workers’ compensation—and enjoy being the person employees and managers turn to when the answer isn’t always simple—this could be a great next move.

We’re partnering with a stable, well-established nonprofit organization on the search for an HR Specialist to serve as a key resource across leaves, reasonable accommodations and workers’ compensation. This is a long-time client where we’ve placed several people over the years, and we know the organization and team well. Five hundred employees within the State of California working at the cross section of real estate, affordable housing and investment.

This is more than processing paperwork. You’ll be trusted to manage cases, navigate the interactive process, interpret regulations and help employees and managers work through complex situations thoughtfully and compliantly.

What you’ll do:

• Manage leaves of absence, including FMLA, CFRA, PFL, disability and personal leaves
• Lead the ADA interactive process and evaluate reasonable accommodation requests
• Guide managers on workplace accommodations and restrictions
• Manage workers’ compensation claims and related documentation
• Coordinate closely with payroll and benefits to ensure accurate pay and leave administration
• Maintain strong documentation and compliance practices
• Stay current on California and federal leave, ADA and workers’ compensation requirements
• Support employee relations and other HR initiatives as needed
• Occasional travel to properties as needed

What we’re looking for:

• 2+ years of HR experience with meaningful exposure to ADA, leave management and workers’ compensation
• Strong knowledge of California and federal leave laws
• Hands‑on experience managing accommodations and the interactive process
• Sound judgment, strong follow-through and the ability to manage complex cases independently
• A service-oriented style and confidence working directly with employees and managers
• Generalist experience is a plus
• Spanish/English bilingual skills are also a plus

This is an opportunity to join an established organization where the work is meaningful, the HR function is valued, and your expertise will have a visible impact.

Interested—or know someone who might be? We’d welcome the conversation.

Location:

Hybrid -2x a week onsite in Hayward, CA

Compensation:

$29.50 – $41.50/hour, plus bonus