Leave Specialist

Job Description Job Description

Position Title: Leave Specialist
Safety Sensitive: No
Supervisor’s Title: Director of Total Rewards
FLSA Status: Exempt
Department: People and Culture
Division: Human Resources
Worker Category: Salary Exempt Full-Time
Job Class: Professional

ABOUT US
We are IndyGo, a Municipal Corporation of Indianapolis–Marion County, and we’re proud to be the largest public transportation provider in the state of Indiana. We operate transit routes throughout the county, providing millions of passenger trips a year. IndyGo is committed to expanding mobility options to improve connectivity with the company’s mission, vision, and goals.
WHO WE ARE
As the largest public transportation provider in Indiana, we believe driving people from one place to another is much more than just moving riders: it’s about helping our riders reach their hopes and dreams, education and careers, families and friends, and health and well-being. IndyGo is focused on meeting three objectives as we operate nearly 30 transit routes throughout Marion County, and provide millions of passenger trips each year. They include protecting frontline workers, increasing ridership and prioritizing long-term stability. We are moving the city forward to become a better place of opportunity and community.
INDYGO MISSION
IndyGos mission is to connect our community to economic and cultural opportunities through safe, reliable and accessible mobility experiences. Our vision is to be at the forefront of making Indianapolis a resilient, prosperous and equitable community for all.
Accountability : We are legally, ethically, and morally committed to utilizing all resources responsibly with integrity and transparency.
Adaptability : We adapt to disruptions through technology, workforce and ridership innovations, so we can meet the evolving needs of our community.
Workplace Culture : We offer an empowering workplace to meet the needs of our teammates and riders.
Compassion : We promote, embrace and value all individuals, treating each other with dignity and respect.
Communication : We value open and honest conversations with each other, our riders and the community.
Excellence : We are proud of who we are and the work we do and will continue to exceed customer expectations.
Responsibility: We will be good stewards of our resources.
Results: We make things better today than they were yesterday.
Safety : We ensure safe and secure environments.

BENEFITS WE OFFER
Full-time positions with guaranteed 40 hours per week
Medical, dental, and vision coverage (effective on the first of the month following 30 days of employment)
Free on-site wellness clinic for employees and their families
Retirement plans (401A and 457B)
Tuition reimbursement
Free IndyGo transportation for employees and their families
Eligibility for the Federal Loan Forgiveness Program

POSITION PURPOSE
The Leave Specialist assists with the administration and coordination of IndyGo’s leave of absence and accommodation programs, serving as a key resource for employees, leaders, and HR partners regarding leave-related processes and requirements. This position supports the administration of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, military leave, personal leave, and other company-provided or legally protected leave programs.

While operating within established policies, procedures, and legal guidelines, the Leave Specialist exercises discretion and independent judgment in managing leave cases, interpreting applicable policies and regulations, coordinating the interactive process, assessing documentation, identifying compliance considerations, and determining appropriate next steps in partnership with HR leadership.

This role requires strong judgment, professionalism, confidentiality, and the ability to balance employee support with operational and compliance needs in a dynamic 24-hour transit environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. The company will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, consistent with applicable law.
Leave Administration & Coordination
Assist with the administration and coordination of employee leave programs, including: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and religious accommodations and interactive process
Personal leaves of absence
Military leave (USERRA)
Pregnancy-related accommodations and leave
Jury duty leave
Short-term and long-term disability coordination, as applicable

Serve as a primary point of contact for employees regarding leave-related questions, processes, and documentation requirements.
Assist employees throughout the leave lifecycle, including intake, eligibility review, documentation collection, communication, tracking, return-to-work coordination, and case closure.
Review leave requests and supporting documentation to identify compliance requirements, potential risks, and appropriate next steps.
Exercise independent judgment in evaluating leave circumstances, identifying when escalation or additional review is necessary, and ensuring consistent application of policies and procedures.
Coordinate fitness-for-duty certifications and return-to-work clearances, as applicable.
Monitor intermittent leave usage, leave exhaustion timelines, and required follow-up actions.
Maintain accurate leave records and documentation in compliance with applicable laws and organizational standards.
Assist in facilitating the interactive process for accommodations with employees, leaders, HR, and operational partners.
Review accommodation requests and supporting medical documentation to determine completeness and identify potential accommodation considerations.
Partner with leadership to evaluate reasonable accommodation options while balancing operational needs and compliance obligations.
Partner with leave vendors where applicable.
Maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding sensitive medical and employee information.

Employee & Leadership Support
Provide responsive, compassionate, and professional support to employees navigating medical, personal, or family-related situations.
Educate employees and supervisors regarding leave processes, timelines, responsibilities, and return-to-work expectations.
Assist leaders in understanding leave obligations, attendance considerations, and appropriate handling of employee leave situations.
Help ensure consistent communication and application of leave policies across departments and operational locations.

Compliance & Risk Support
Assist with ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local leave laws and regulations.
Maintain working knowledge of leave and accommodation regulations, including FMLA, ADA, USERRA, and related employment laws.
Identify and escalate complex or sensitive leave issues, compliance concerns, or operational risks to HR leadership as appropriate.
Partner with Employee Relations, HR Business Partners, Legal, Payroll, Safety, and operational leadership on leave-related matters as needed.
Assist with audits, reporting requests, and documentation reviews related to leave administration.

Process Improvement & Reporting
Support continuous improvement of leave administration processes, employee communications, and documentation practices.
Maintain leave tracking systems and ensure accurate data entry and reporting.
Assist in identifying trends, recurring issues, or operational concerns related to leave administration and attendance management.
Support development and maintenance of leave-related policies, forms, procedures, and educational materials.

OTHER FUNCTIONS
Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the following education and/or experience.
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Minimum of 3 years of experience supporting leave administration, benefits administration, employee relations, accommodations, or related HR functions required.
Experience administering or coordinating FMLA, ADA, USERRA, and other leave programs preferred.
Experience handling sensitive and confidential employee matters required.
Experience in a unionized and/or 24-hour operational environment preferred.
Experience using HRIS and leave management systems preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Knowledge of leave administration practices and employment regulations
Ability to interpret policies and apply sound judgment to varying employee situations
Strong discretion and confidentiality
Compassionate and professional communication skills
Strong organizational and case management abilities
Attention to detail and documentation accuracy
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
Problem-solving and analytical thinking skills
Ability to collaborate effectively across HR and operational teams
Strong interpersonal and customer service orientation

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential physical functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. The company will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, consistent with applicable law.
Regular on-site attendance is an essential function of this position due to the need for in-person collaboration, operational support, hands-on infrastructure management, and training and development activities. This role is designated as fully onsite and is not eligible for remote work.
Regular travel between IndyGo locations and operational facilities is required.
Ability to remain stationary for extended periods.

IndyGo is an Equal Opportunity Employer