Senior Specialist. Leaves and Absences

Dagen; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Dagen in Houston is seeking a Senior Leaves & Accommodations Specialist to join the HR Total Rewards team on-site. The role will manage LOA and accommodation programs domestically and globally, partnering with employees, managers, legal, and payroll to ensure compliant, compassionate outcomes.

The ideal candidate has strong knowledge of FMLA, ADA, PWFA, workers’ compensation, and state/local leave laws, with experience driving program improvements, enrollment events, and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in related field.
• 5+ years of experience in leave of absence administration, accommodations, or HR generalist work with a strong leave/ADA focus.
• Knowledge of Workers Compensation, FMLA, ADA, PWFA, state/local leave laws, and disability programs.
• Experience engaging in accommodations interactive process with multiple stakeholders.
• Proficient with Excel, PowerPoint; HRIS and benefits databases.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage the full life cycle of Leave of Absence cases under FMLA, comparable state laws, and company leaves, in consultation with third‑party administrator, ensuring smooth return-to-work.
• Own end-to-end administration of workplace accommodation cases under ADA, PWFA, and related laws, in consultation with leadership and legal.
• Lead the interactive accommodations process with employees, managers, and HR by reviewing documentation, identifying reasonable accommodations, and determining timely outcomes.
• Develop creative, reasonable accommodation solutions balancing employee restrictions with business needs, ensuring a high-quality experience.
• Influence managers and HR partners toward compliant decisions, translating policies into plain-English guidance.
• Ensure HIPAA and Employee Privacy guidelines are upheld.
• Generate and manage reporting metrics and analytics for leave, Workers Comp, and ADA accommodations.
• Facilitate group discussions and training on LOA and benefits topics.

Skills

Leave of absence administration

Accommodations process

HR generalist experience

FMLA

Workers' Compensation

PWFA

State/local leave laws

Disability programs

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in related field

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

HRIS

Benefits databases

Job description

Our growing and global LNG client is adding to the HR team! This is an on-site role with excellent benefits with opportunity for career growth!

The HR Total Rewards team is responsible for delivering US domestic and global programs including health, pension/retirement, time away from work, wellness, and more to our employees.

We’re looking for someone who wants to grow their career and initially be the primary Subject Matter Expert for the time away programs domestically and globally. As a Senior Leaves & Accommodations Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in being a part of the Total Rewards team, as well working to support our employees and key business partners.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable in an environment that is constantly growing and evolving and building new ways to do business. You’ll bring your experiences with workers compensation, disability, family and other leave policies, and an ability to learn and be part of creating new Total Rewards programs and projects including annual open enrollment, vendor implementations, and process improvements. You’ll have exceptional communication skills, and the ability to navigate complex situations that require organization and attention to detail.

Responsibilities:

The Senior Leaves & Accommodations Specialist will report directly to The Director, Total Rewards and supports the administration of employee leaves of absence such as Workers Compensation, FMLA, ADA, PWFA, USERRA, Pregnancy Discrimination Act, state, and local regulations. and owns the end-to-end administration of workplace accommodation cases across the enterprise, applying advanced judgment to navigate complex, high-risk, and legally sensitive situations. This role will work directly with employees, managers, HR business partners, legal and payroll to ensure consistent, compliant outcomes in accordance with internal policy and applicable law.

• Own and manage the full life cycle of Leave of Absence cases under FMLA, comparable state laws, and company leaves such as Parental, Military and Short- and Long-Term Disability, in consultation with the Company’s third-party leave administrator while facilitating smooth return-to-work for employees.
• Own the management of end-to-end administration of workplace accommodation cases under the ADA, PWFA, similar laws, including complex, high-risk, and legally sensitive matters, in consultation with leadership and legal.
• Lead the interactive accommodations process with employees, managers, and HR by reviewing accommodation documentation, identifying reasonable accommodations, and recommending timely determinations.
• Develop creative, reasonable accommodation solutions that balance the employee’s restrictions with business and operational impact, ensuring a high-quality, compassionate employee experience.
• Influence managers and HR business partners toward compliant, consistent decisions, translating policies and legal requirements into plain-English guidance.
• Ensure HIPAA and Employee Privacy guidelines are rigorously upheld.
• Generate and manage reporting metrics and analytics for leave, Workers Comp, and ADA Accommodations cases.
• Facilitate group discussions and training on LOA and benefits related topics.

Qualifications:

• Expertise in leave of absence administration, accommodations, or HR generalist work with a strong leave/ADA focus.
• In-depth, demonstrable knowledge of Workers Compensation, FMLA, ADA, PWFA, state/local leave laws, and disability programs.
• Substantial experience engaging in the accommodations interactive process with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Proven ability to independently analyze and resolve complex, ambiguous, high-risk cases with sound judgment and influence business decisions.
• Computer proficiency and technical aptitude including Excel, PowerPoint; experience with HRIS and benefits databases.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex information to employees with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• This role is in office 5 days per week.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience administering leave of absence and accommodations across multiple countries, including UK, Italy and Singapore.
• Workday Absence and Time module experience preferred.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• High attention to detail for handling confidential and sensitive data, data entry, and record management.
• Adaptable to changing priorities while maintaining a high level of productivity.
• Discretion and professionalism in managing sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to take initiative, and work independently and collaboratively, demonstrating a proactive and flexible approach to work.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in related field with 5+ years experience.