Human Resources Specialist – Benefits & Leave (Part-Time)

Position: Human Resources Specialist – Benefits & Leave (Part-Time)

Position Type:  Part-Time 0.5 FTE

Schedule: 4 days per week, 5 hours per day (20 hours per week) In-Person

Department: Office of Human Resources

Location: Central Office 

Reports to: Director of Human Resources

Affiliation: Non-Aligned

Salary range: $35,000.00- $40,000.00 per year

Eligible for Town retirement plan.

This is an anticipated position, contingent upon approval of the school budget.

General Description:

The Human Resources Specialist – Benefits & Leave supports the daily operations of the Human Resources department, with primary responsibility for benefits administration, leave management, and employee support.

This role oversees all aspects of employee benefits and leaves of absence, ensuring accurate administration and compliance with federal, state, and district policies. The HR Specialist partners closely with employees, managers, City Hall, and external vendors to deliver a smooth and supportive employee experience. This position also serves as a trusted resource for staff and a strategic partner to leadership, helping to foster a workplace culture grounded in equity, inclusion, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Benefits Administration
• Serve as the primary liaison with benefits carriers and the City of Watertown Auditor’s Office
• Administer health, dental, vision, life, and disability benefit programs
• Coordinate and lead open enrollment, including employee communication and education
• Manage new hire enrollment and qualifying life event changes
• Assist employees with understanding and navigating their benefits
• Resolve benefits and claims issues in collaboration with carriers
• Leave of Absence Management
• Administer all leave programs, including FMLA, medical, and discretionary leaves
• Coordinate with employees and third-party administrators on short- and long-term disability claims
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and district leave policies
• Maintain accurate and confidential leave records
• Time & Attendance / Accrual Management
• Maintain employee time and attendance records using the district’s system (Frontline)
• Track and update time off balances, accruals, and usage accurately
• Manage accrual calculations and adjustments in accordance with district policies
• Oversee annual and periodic leave rollover processes across all bargaining units
• Audit time-off data regularly and resolve discrepancies
• Partner with payroll to ensure accurate reporting and processing
• Workers’ Compensation & Safety
• Report workplace injuries and manage workers’ compensation claims
• Coordinate return-to-work plans and transitional duty assignments
• Support incident reporting and documentation processes
• HR Operations & Employee Support
• Respond to employee inquiries and provide timely, high-quality support
• Assist with onboarding-related benefits and documentation processes
• Support payroll inputs related to leave tracking and time-off coordination
• Maintain internal tracking tools for benefits, leave, and compliance
• Contribute to HR projects, process improvements, and policy updates

Qualifications Required:

• Minimum of 3 years of HR experience or related field
• Experience with benefits administration and leave management required
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, particularly Excel
• Working knowledge of employment laws, including FMLA, ADA, and workers’ compensation
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• High level of discretion and confidentiality
• Strong customer service and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred
• Experience with MUNIS, Frontline (AESOP), MIIA, or PowerSchool is a plus

Physical Demands:

• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Watertown Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.