Protected Leave & Accommodation Manager (WMS2/DLS)

State-of-Washingto; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Flexible schedules

Benefits package

Paid holidays

Professional development

Job summary

Washington State Health Care Authority seeks a Protected Leave & Accommodation Manager to lead the agency's leave, accommodation, and workers’ compensation programs across 1,800 employees. You will ensure legal compliance, guide policy, and oversee case management and interactive accommodations processes.

You will develop staff training, interpret laws and policies, and collaborate with leadership to minimize liability while supporting employee well-being.

Qualifications

• Broad-based senior-level HR competencies with ADA/RA/FMLA knowledge.
• Determine accurate FMLA eligibility and approvals.
• Process workers' compensation claims and related documentation.
• Understand PFML eligibility and public-sector HR environments.
• Research complex HR data and policy requirements.
• Effectively communicate complex policies in writing and speech.

Responsibilities

• Research legislation and case law related to ADA, WLAD, FMLA, PFML, USERRA, and leaves.
• Develops and presents training to agency leaders for compliance.
• Conducts legislative analysis for relevant bills.
• Provide expertise in investigations and responses to complaints.
• Maintain case management processes for RA, FMLA, PFML, and Shared Leave.
• Facilitate interactive RA processes and advise on accommodations.

Skills

FMLA compliance

ADA compliance

RA processing

Workers' compensation

Public sector HR

HR data analysis

Confidentiality

Policy interpretation

Communication

Strategic leadership

Education

Master’s degree in HR/related field

PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP

Job description

Protected Leave & Accommodation Manager (WMS2/DLS)

This recruitment is posted continuously. Application review will begin on October 6th 2026, and you are encouraged to submit your application materials as soon as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time once a selection has been made.

The Opportunity

The Protected Leave and Accommodation Manager provides expert human resource guidance and operational leadership to the Protected Leave and Accommodation Team, and is responsible for directing, managing, and maintaining the agency’s Protected Leave and Accommodations program for approximately 1,800 HCA employees throughout the state. It ensures legal compliance, strategy formulation, administration, consultation, and resolution of issues for:

• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
• Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML).
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Reasonable Accommodation (RA).
• Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) related to religious accommodations.
• Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and Healthy Starts Act (HSA).
• Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).
• Other legally protected leaves.
• Shared Leave.

This position also serves as the agency’s Workers Compensation Coordinator, managing all Labor and Industries (L&I) workers’ compensation claims for the agency, and managing the Infants at the Workplace program. It provides expert interpretation and consultation to agency employees, supervisors, and executive leadership regarding relevant WACs, RCWs, and relevant articles of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), policies, and procedures, and processes that apply to reasonable accommodation and legally protected leave. The incumbent is responsible for reducing and mitigating the risks associated with protected leaves, RA, and Worker’s Compensation claims (including Return to Work) on behalf of the agency.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Research legislation, case law, and trends relating to ADA, WLAD, FMLA, PFML, USERRA, Shared Leave, PWFA/HSA, and Workers Compensation and develops and updates agency policies, procedures, and practices to ensure compliance with federal and state requirements and reduce agency liability.
• Develops and presents training to agency leaders in areas of assigned responsibilities to support agency-wide compliance with federal, state, and agency requirements.
• Conducts legislative analysis on behalf of the agency for bills related to scope of assigned subject matter expertise, as detailed above.
• Provides subject-matter expertise and participates in internal agency investigations in response to HRC/EEOC complaints, as requested.
• Develops and maintains processes and databases for case management, documentation, and analysis, for all assigned programs. Independently manages, maintains, monitors and/or assigns case load of employees requesting RA, FMLA, PFML, and Shared Leave, ensuring documentation is received.
• Facilitates the interactive RA process with management and employees, including: reviews medical information to assess accommodation needs; explores options and negotiates appropriate accommodations consistent with business needs, documented medical necessity, and reasonableness under the ADA. Provides advice on implementation of agreed upon accommodation(s) to applicants/employees, supervisors, and managers.
• Reviews cases, researches options, and consult with senior Human Resources Management and/or Assistant Attorney General (AAG) staff to formulate strategies to minimize agency legal exposure when addressing unprecedented cases. Consults with senior management to review and determine options for managing complex cases and facilitates the interactive RA process according to planned strategy.

Why You’ll Love This Role:

This role is an exceptional opportunity for an HR leader who wants to help employees be aware of and receive protected leave entitlements and supports, and make a tangible, positive impact on employee well-being, while ensuring agency compliance with these programs.

What You Bring:

The ideal candidate for this role is an experienced human resources professional who excels at balancing empathetic employee advocacy with high-level business planning.

Required Qualifications

Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and application.

Broad-based senior-level professional human resource competencies, which includes professional knowledge and legal understanding of: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodation (RA), and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Professional human resource competencies must include the demonstrated ability to:

• Determine accurate FMLA eligibility.
• Implement effective and ADA compliant reasonable accommodations.
• Process worker’s compensation claims.
• Understand WA state’s PFML eligibility.
• Understand authorizing environments for professional personnel administration in public sector employment.
• Research complex HR data, apply appropriate legal and policy requirements, and develop appropriate options.
• Resolve complex or difficult human resources issues having broad potential impact.
• Understand and apply complex human resource related laws, rules, and policies.
• Interpret and apply concepts in the context of a dynamic workforce.
• Effectively manage competing priorities.
• Effectively communicate complex ideas and information orally and in writing regarding highly technical and sensitive matters to diverse groups of people.
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality at all times.
• Anticipate problems and use appropriate independent judgment during challenging situations.
• Understand the customer’s organization and mission and provide proactive guidance.
• Use appropriate channels of communication; foster effective working relationships, maintain composure during tense situations and propose solutions to resolve conflict.
• Develop and deliver HR-related trainings in area of expertise.
• Take action to learn and grow.
• Take action to meet the needs of others.

Preferred Qualifications

While these are not required, having them may help you stand out as an applicant.

• Master’s degree in human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field.
• Six (6) or more years of recent direct experience as a Protected Leave Specialist or similar role in Washington State government.
• Certification as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
• Certification through the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) as a Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).
• Understanding of Medicaid, Public Employee Benefits, and the mission and organizational structure of HCA.

About the Division of Legal Services

DLS provides centralized administrative and legal support to all divisions to mitigate risk, comply with changing state and federal laws, and assist HCA in accomplishing its goals. The HR office manages the agency’s people resources and all aspects of employment including: classification, compensation, recruitment and hiring, terms of employment, onboarding, HR data and reporting, labor relations, training, organizational development, DEI, protected leave, reasonable accommodation, employee relations, out-of-state telework, personnel policies, employee performance management, employment investigations, separation/offboarding, and unemployment.

The Washington State Health Care Authority:

Better Health. Better Care. A Healthier Washington

At HCA, we work to ensure people across Washington have access to high-quality health care. As the state’s largest health care purchaser, we serve nearly 3 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), public and school employee benefits, and behavioral health programs. Together we’re building a stronger Washington.

More than a benefits package:

We want our employees to have the support, flexibility, and benefits they need to do their best work and build a career that works for their life. As a Washington State HCA employee, you’ll have access to a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Our benefits are designed to support you today while helping you plan for the future. Learn more about why HCA by visiting the Voices of HCA and the "Who we are" section of our website.

Your total compensation is more than your paycheck:

• Remote work and flexible schedules
• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays
• Paid Family and Medical Leave (PMFL)
• Retirement options to plan for the future
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Employee wellness programs
• Learn more about Washington State Employee Benefits

Work Location and Schedule:

This is a full-time 40-hour-per-week HYBRID position. You will report to the HCA office located in Olympia, WA 2 days a week and occasionally at other times to meet business needs for in-person work. Our standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with alternative work schedules considered based on business needs. When working in-person, you will work in a shared space, open office environment. In this role you’ll regularly collaborate with colleagues, Agency leaders, state and federal partners, and other external partners or customers. Occasional travel may be required for meetings, training, or other business needs. All employees are required to report to our Olympia office on their first and final day of employment.

Our commitment to an inclusive workplace

The Health Care Authority is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a workplace where employees are respected, included, and supported in bringing their experiences, perspectives, and ideas to work.

Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in how we work together and serve the people of Washington. HCA also supports five voluntary employee led Employee Resources Groups (ERGs), which create opportunities for connection, community, learning, and professional growth.

Need accommodations or have questions?

If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Angelic Matthews Human Resources Consultant – Recruiter at [e-mail] and reference the recruitment title and job number in the subject line.

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.