Human Resources Specialist - Leave and Benefits

The Positive Regard Network invites applicants for the position of Human Resources Specialist, with primary responsibilities focused on employee leave administration and employee benefits. This position is responsible for the day-to-day administration of employee leave, benefits, and HR records and serves as a primary resource to employees regarding leave and benefit questions. The Human Resources Specialist coordinates required documentation and tracking, manages related compliance processes across Massachusetts and Connecticut, and handles employee file maintenance, unemployment documentation, reporting, and other HR administrative responsibilities as assigned.

Applies understanding and a high-level knowledge of leave of absence policies, procedures, and the absence management system, and utilizes that to ensure leaves are handled properly from a compliance, process, and experience standpoint. The HR Specialist will manage all aspects related to leave of absence cases (FMLA/PFML/CT Paid Leave/STD/LTD/personal leaves/etc.), assisting with leave administration items (employment verifications, reports, payroll balancing, work comp communication, etc.), completing daily audits for leave and payroll entries, reviewing medical documentation to determine FMLA approval, researching and resolving employee leave of absence related questions, and assisting in training managers on leave correspondence when needed. This role serves as a subject matter expert in all aspects of leave of absence for employees and uses knowledge to identify and implement process improvements.

The position is full time, 52 weeks per year. Competitive salary commensurate with experience; Salary range $62k-77K per year. Excellent benefits package including over four weeks of vacation time.

Position requires: An Associate’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field; Bachelor’s degree preferred. Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible human resources experience, which must include employee leave management and benefits administration. HRCI or SHRM Certification strongly preferred. Strong organizational and project coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), Googledocs and HRIS or database systems. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

• Coordinates and tracks employee leaves, including FMLA, CT FMLA, Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), Connecticut Paid Leave, workers compensation, and other applicable leave programs, under the guidance of the Associate Director of HR. Responds to leave-related requests and documentation from Massachusetts and Connecticut agencies in a timely manner.
• Consult with and advise employees on eligibility, provisions, and other matters related to leave of absence (LOA).
• Create and distribute employee eligibility and determination notices for all leave types, ensuring they meet all federal and state compliance requirements.
• Review provided medical documentation to evaluate and determine approval period for family medical leave requests.
• Develops, implements, and maintains tracking systems that assist in efficient management of employee time, absences and related processes (i.e Paid Leave intermittent tracking), as requested by the HR team.
• Perform complex leave and pay-related calculations, as needed.
• Collaborate with other functional areas including program managers, Workers Compensation, etc. on complex leave-related issues.
• Assists the Associate Director of HR with ADA accommodation requests and unemployment requests/claims
• Serves as back-up to Worker’s Compensation coordinator.
• Assists with coordination of Employee Benefits. Creates and distributes enrollment instructions for newly eligible employees. Assists employees with Benefits portal questions or issues. Maintains tracking system to ensure timely employee enrollment. Develops and maintains vendor relationships to assist in providing support to employees with regard to benefits related questions or concerns.
• Coordinates and manages enrollments in employee health benefits, including health and dental insurance, life and long term disability insurance, HealthEquity flex spending and HRA benefits, and Colonial Supplemental Insurance coverage.
• Audits enrollment and billing of employee benefits in coordination with AP.
• Process employee benefit enrollments and payroll-related documentation in regard to leave management payments and benefit enrollments.
• Identifies legal requirements and government reporting regulations affecting Human Resources function in regards to benefits and leaves. Directs the preparation of information requested or required for compliance.
• Prepares periodic reports to Executive Team, senior management and government agencies, as necessary or requested.
• Prepare HR reports, workforce data, and personnel documentation to support audits, compliance reviews, and organizational reporting.
• Maintain accurate medical files and employee documentation in accordance with agency policies and applicable regulations.
• Maintains Human Resources related information including assembly of new hire files and coordination of follow-up efforts to ensure all associated documentation is provided and all employee requirements are met at appropriate intervals.
• Maintain confidentiality of employee information and personnel records.
• Protects interests of employees and the company in accordance with company Human Resources policies and governmental laws and regulations.
• Responds to employee Human Resources emails and inquiries in a timely manner and collaborates with the Human Resources team to ensure appropriate coverage, follow-up, and consistent communication.
• Makes recommendations to the HR team regarding policies, procedures and practices in order to promote efficiency and engagement in the organization as a whole.
• Maintains professional certification as appropriate and participates in conferences, workshops or other courses for professional development.
• Support special projects and administrative initiatives assigned by the CEO and Associate Director of HR.

NOTE: Applicants who are given a conditional offer of employment will be subject to background screening through the following Agencies: CORI, SORI, DCF and SAFIS (Fingerprinting).

Please provide letter of interest, resume and three professional references to:

HR, Center School, 1913 Northampton St., Holyoke, MA 01040; email:hr@positiveregard.com EOE