Senior Leave of Absence Specialist – FMLA & ADA Expert

University of California, Riverside; California; On-site; USD 68,500 - 121,900; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Riverside is seeking a Senior Leave of Absence Specialist to serve as the subject matter expert on FMLA, PDL, ADA, and other leave programs. You will support ASSET and advise employees, supervisors, and leadership on eligibility, rights, responsibilities, and options.

Requirements include a Bachelor's degree and 4–7 years of related experience, with 2–3 years in administering employee leave in a complex organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 4–7 years of related experience.
• 2–3 years administering employee leave programs, preferably in higher education or similarly complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and designate qualifying leave requests; monitor leave usage and tracking; ensure timely receipt and review of required documentation; provide ongoing guidance throughout the leave process.
• Interpret and apply applicable federal and state laws, UC policies, and collective bargaining agreements while consulting with internal HR partners.
• Promote consistent interpretation and administration of leave policies across ASSET-supported organizations.
• Serve as ASSET representative on campus-wide leave-related committees and workgroups, advocating for ASSET-supported departments.

Skills

Leave administration

FMLA

PDL

ADA compliance

employee leave programs

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

UCPath

HRMS

ServiceNow

Job description

Position Information

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources and Executive Searches, the Senior Leave of Absence Specialist serves as the subject matter expert on leave administration, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Workers' Compensation, and other federally and state protected or University policy-covered leave programs. The position supports the organizations served by the Administrative Services & Strategic Executive Team (ASSET), including, but not limited to, Auxiliary Services; the Office of the Chancellor; the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor; Division of Undergraduate Education; International Affairs; Enrollment Services; Planning, Budget & Administration; Facilities Services; Planning, Design & Construction; and Health, Well-being & Safety. As one of two Senior Leave of Absence Specialists supporting a diverse employee population, this position provides expert consultation and ongoing support to employees (staff and faculty), supervisors, and departmental leadership regarding leave eligibility, rights, responsibilities, and available leave options. The incumbent evaluates and designates qualifying leave requests, monitors leave usage and tracking, ensures timely receipt and review of required documentation, and provides ongoing guidance throughout the leave process. Interprets and applies applicable federal and state laws, University of California policies, and collective bargaining agreements while consulting, as appropriate, with Central Human Resources, Disability Management, Workers' Compensation, Academic Personnel, and campus human resources partners. The position plays a key role in promoting consistent interpretation and administration of leave policies and practices across all ASSET-supported organizations. In addition, the Senior Leave of Absence Specialist serves as the ASSET representative on campus-wide leave-related committees and workgroups, providing subject matter expertise and advocating for the interests of ASSET-supported departments while contributing to the development of consistent, compliant, and effective leave administration practices. The full salary range for the Senior Leave of Absence Specialist is $68,500 - $121,900 annually. However, the expected pay scale for this position is up to $90,000 annually. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience and other business and organizational needs. Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. Currently, we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff. As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Position Information

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources and Executive Searches, the Senior Leave of Absence Specialist serves as the subject matter expert on leave administration, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Workers' Compensation, and other federally and state protected or University policy-covered leave programs. The position supports the organizations served by the Administrative Services & Strategic Executive Team (ASSET), including, but not limited to, Auxiliary Services; the Office of the Chancellor; the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor; Division of Undergraduate Education; International Affairs; Enrollment Services; Planning, Budget & Administration; Facilities Services; Planning, Design & Construction; and Health, Well-being & Safety. As one of two Senior Leave of Absence Specialists supporting a diverse employee population, this position provides expert consultation and ongoing support to employees (staff and faculty), supervisors, and departmental leadership regarding leave eligibility, rights, responsibilities, and available leave options. The incumbent evaluates and designates qualifying leave requests, monitors leave usage and tracking, ensures timely receipt and review of required documentation, and provides ongoing guidance throughout the leave process. Interprets and applies applicable federal and state laws, University of California policies, and collective bargaining agreements while consulting, as appropriate, with Central Human Resources, Disability Management, Workers' Compensation, Academic Personnel, and campus human resources partners. The position plays a key role in promoting consistent interpretation and administration of leave policies and practices across all ASSET-supported organizations. In addition, the Senior Leave of Absence Specialist serves as the ASSET representative on campus-wide leave-related committees and workgroups, providing subject matter expertise and advocating for the interests of ASSET-supported departments while contributing to the development of consistent, compliant, and effective leave administration practices. The full salary range for the Senior Leave of Absence Specialist is $68,500 - $121,900 annually. However, the expected pay scale for this position is up to $90,000 annually. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience and other business and organizational needs. Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. Currently, we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff. As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Requirements

Educational Requirements

Degree

Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training

Requirement

Required

Experience Requirements

Experience

4 - 7 years of related experience.

Requirement

Experience

2 - 3 years of experience administering employee leave programs, preferably within a higher education or similarly complex organizational environment.

Requirement

Preferred

Experience

Experience with the University of California, Riverside's systems, policies, and procedures related to leave administration and leave management for staff and faculty.

Requirement

Minimum Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of FMLA, CFRA, PFL, PDL, Workers Comp, Military Leave, ERISA, HIPAA and applicable state and federal laws.
• Working knowledge of rules and regulations affecting employee benefit programs.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and safeguard information.
• Strong oral and written communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively and with confidence.
• Skill and sensitivity in dealing with others. Ability to handle difficult and complicated issues with professionalism and sound judgement.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to build relationships, collaborate and problem solve across all levels of the organization.
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Ability to provide high level of service and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Knowledge of computer databases and Windows software.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of UCR human resources related systems such as UCPath, HRMS, ServiceNow.
• Knowledge of UC policies and UCR local procedures.
• Knowledge and ability to apply Academic Personnel policies related to leaves of absence for Senate faculty, non-Senate academic appointees, and academic student employees.
• Knowledge of Collective Bargaining Agreements and their implications on leave laws, policies and procedures
  
  

Additional Information

In the Heart of Inland Southern California, UC Riverside is located on nearly 1,200 acres near Box Springs Mountain in Southern California; the park-like campus provides convenient access to the vibrant and growing Inland region. The campus is a living laboratory for the exploration of issues critical to growing communities' air, water, energy, transportation, politics, the arts, history, and culture. UCR gives every student, faculty and staff member the resources to explore, engage, imagine and excel.

UC Riverside is recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse research universities in the country boasting several key rankings of which we are extremely proud.

• UC Riverside is proud to be ranked No. 12 among all U.S. universities, according to Money Magazine's 2020 rankings, and among the top 1 percent of universities worldwide, according to the 2019-20 Center for World University rankings.
• UC Riverside is the top university in the United States for social mobility. - U.S. News 2020
• UCR is a member of the University Innovation Alliance, the leading national coalition of public research universities committed to improving student success for low-income, first-generation, and students of color.
• Among top-tier universities, UC Riverside ranks No. 2 in financial aid. - Business Insider 2019
• Ranked No. 2 in the world for research, UCR's Department of Entomology maintains one of the largest collections of insect specimens the nation. - Center for World University Rankings
• UCR's distinguished faculty boasts 2 Nobel Laureates, and 13 members of the National Academies of Science and Medicine.
  
  

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

For information about our generous employee benefits package, visit: Employee Benefits Overview

Job Description Details

Generic Scope

Experienced professional who knows how to apply theory and put it into practice with in-depth understanding of the professional field; independently performs the full range of responsibilities within the function; possesses broad job knowledge; analyzes problems/issues of diverse scope and determines solutions.

Custom Scope

Applies knowledge of job protected leaves to manage leave of absence (LOA) process for employees. Provides consultation, assistance and manages leave cases. Coordinates with workers compensation, disability management, benefits, and labor and employee relations.

Department Custom Scope

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources and Executive Searches, the Senior Leave of Absence Specialist serves as the subject matter expert on leave administration, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Workers' Compensation, and other federally and state protected or University policy-covered leave programs. The position supports the organizations served by the Administrative Services & Strategic Executive Team (ASSET), including, but not limited to, Auxiliary Services; the Office of the Chancellor; the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor; Division of Undergraduate Education; International Affairs; Enrollment Services; Planning, Budget & Administration; Facilities Services; Planning, Design & Construction; and Health, Well-being & Safety. As one of two Senior Leave of Absence Specialists supporting a diverse employee population, this position provides expert consultation and ongoing support to employees (staff and faculty), supervisors, and departmental leadership regarding leave eligibility, rights, responsibilities, and available leave options. The incumbent evaluates and designates qualifying leave requests, monitors leave usage and tracking, ensures timely receipt and review of required documentation, and provides ongoing guidance throughout the leave process. Interprets and applies applicable federal and state laws, University of California policies, and collective bargaining agreements while consulting, as appropriate, with Central Human Resources, Disability Management, Workers' Compensation, Academic Personnel, and campus human resources partners. The position plays a key role in promoting consistent interpretation and administration of leave policies and practices across all ASSET-supported organizations. In addition, the Senior Leave of Absence Specialist serves as the ASSET representative on campus-wide leave-related committees and workgroups, providing subject matter expertise and advocating for the interests of ASSET-supported departments while contributing to the development of consistent, compliant, and effective leave administration practices.