Human Resources Specialist - Leave & ADA

City of Bellevue, Washington; Bellevue (WA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Job summary

City of Bellevue, Washington seeks an experienced Human Resources Specialist – Leave & ADA to process leave of absences and ADA accommodations for all employees. You will manage complex cases, ensure compliance with FMLA, PFML, and ADA, and support HR transactions while maintaining confidential records.

The role emphasizes high-quality customer service, collaborative problem-solving, and data integrity in HR systems. Hybrid schedule with two onsite days per week is available.

Qualifications

• Requires degree in HR or related field and 5+ years on federal and Washington leaves of absence and ADA accommodations.
• Experience handling FMLA/PWML leave rules, ADA accommodations, and related HR compliance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as subject matter expert for leave and accommodation requests; lead process improvements.
• Manage end-to-end leave process from notice to return to work; verify eligibility and certifications.
• Coordinate ADA accommodations using job analysis and interactive process; document and guide decisions.
• Provide guidance to managers on processes and best practices; communicate requirements clearly.
• Maintain confidential medical documentation and accurate HR records; ensure timely recertifications.
• Collaborate with Benefits, Payroll, HRIS, Legal and department leadership for complex cases and audits.

Skills

Leave & ADA administration

Customer service

Process improvement

Microsoft Office

Communication

HRIS experience

Education

Degree in HR or related field

5+ years leaves/ADA experience

Tools

HRIS systems

Leave management software

Microsoft Office

Job description

New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Human Resources Specialist – Leave & ADA who is responsible for processing and supporting leave of absences, and ADA workplace accommodations for represented and non-represented employees. At Bellevue, you will provide exceptional customer service and assistance to all stakeholders and effectively help people navigate leave of absence and accommodation requests. This will include general administration, comprehensive case management, and program compliance in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), other related employment laws, collective bargaining agreements and the City’s policies and procedures. The position will also be integral in processing HR transactions and ensuring the integrity of employee information in the City’s systems. In the HR Department, you’ll be a part of an engaged, enthusiastic team, dedicated to providing exceptional services to the city’s managers and employees, and to job seekers and external partners. Bellevue employees embrace the values of innovation, integrity, stewardship, collaboration, accountability, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and take pride in the work they do. The City Council’s vision is that Bellevue welcomes the world, our diversity is our strength, we embrace the future while respecting our past.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Serves as the point of contact and subject matter expert for qualified continuous or intermittent leaves of absence and reasonable accommodation requests. Partner with assistant city attorney on complex or high-risk cases. Lead or contribute to continuous process improvement initiatives in HR operations related to accommodations and leave management.
• Handles the leave process from employees’ initial notice of the need for leave to the employees’ return to work. This includes gathering and completing all required paperwork, determining leave eligibility, designating, or denying leaves as appropriate, requesting medical certification as needed, recertifying leaves, managing independent medical evaluation processes when needed, tracking and accounting for leave time used, including intermittent or reduced schedule leave use and performing audits as needed to ensure accuracy.
• Manages ADA workplace accommodation requests by understanding job analysis to assess the essential functions, conduct meetings for the interactive process, assess accommodation needs and department ability to reasonably provide accommodation, managing documentation, tracking accommodation status and providing guidance to employees and decision recommendations to departments. Manage and communicate the legal/technical aspects of the process in an empathetic, neutral, and clear manner.
• Delivers excellent customer service and ensures employees are aware of their own responsibilities and of any documentation and notice requirements to qualify for and to take leave. Provides guidance and advice to managers on the process and best practices.
• Delivers excellent customer service and ensures employees are aware of their own responsibilities and of any documentation and notice requirements to qualify for and to take leave. Provides guidance and advice to managers on the process and best practices.
• Maintains reasonable communication with employees on leave to facilitate smooth and timely return to work; keeps managers up to date about employee leaves, changes, and work restrictions.
• Preserves confidentiality of employee medical documentation and files.
• Maintains complete and accurate records; ensures all leave and accommodation requests (including intermittent and reduced schedule leaves) are processed accurately and timely, notifying employees of expirations and need for recertification.
• Collaborates with city-wide departmental leadership, HR Consultants, Benefits, Payroll, Risk/Workers’ Compensation, HRIS and Legal on leave and ADA accommodations, independent medical evaluations, performance issues, and other matters. Hold monthly meetings with department leadership experiencing high utilization and HR consultants to ensure smooth facilitation.
• Monitors continuation of group health plan benefits during leave based on the City’s policies and procedures/collective bargaining agreements; collaborates with benefits administrator on eligibility criteria changes.
• Documents internal workflow processes; researches, recommends, and streamlines processes for efficiency while ensuring positive employee and manager experience, consistency, and compliance.

Qualifications

Education and Experience Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in human resources or related field.
• Five or more years of experience administering federal and Washington state leaves of absence and ADA workplace accommodations; working knowledge of best practices for leaves of absence and accommodations.
• Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Excellent organizational and prioritizing skills, detail oriented, and ability to handle multiple tasks and assignments.
• Professional and personable, exercising sound judgment when dealing with sensitive and confidential matters.
• Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Self-starter, motivated and proactive.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills; experience working with a HRIS and leave management software.
• Ability to build positive relationships at all levels across the organization, and cultivate confidence being a subject matter expert and delivering consistent results.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and anticipate client needs, convey appropriate options, and make recommendations for implementation.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Certification in Human Resources or completion of specialized certification or training on FMLA/leave administration and ADA is preferred.

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands

• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 20 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.
• Hybrid position requiring two onsite days per week.

Flexible/Hybrid Working

A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period working in the office after hire. Remote work for this position is subject to department's operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall. Community Outreach manager responsible for programming that may include evening and weekends.

HIRING PROCESS

The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment
• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications.

At the City of Bellevue, you'll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: Exceptional Public Service, Stewardship, Commitment to Employees, Integrity, Innovation, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. You'll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. It's what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.

The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 425-452-6838 or [e-mail] . If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/IER_RightToWorkPoster.pdf

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RighttoWorkPosterES.pdf

For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.

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