Sr Leave & Accommodation Specialist

Sr Leave & Accommodation Specialist

Under the direction of the Manager, Leave & Disability the Sr Leave & Accommodation Specialist serves as a highly hands-on subject matter expert responsible for the end-to-end execution of complex leave and workplace accommodation cases. This role combines deep technical expertise in ADA/ADAAA, disability, and leave regulations with direct case management ownership, ensuring compliant, timely, and employee-centered outcomes. Independently drives the interactive process from intake through resolution, partnering directly with team members, healthcare providers, leaders, HR, and Legal. This role is expected to personally manage high-risk, sensitive, and escalated cases, applying sound judgment, regulatory expertise, and practical solutions to enable safe, sustainable return-to-work outcomes. In addition to execution, provides expert guidance, process improvement insight, and mentoring, while remaining actively engaged in daily operations and casework.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Manages a full caseload of complex leave and accommodation cases from intake through resolution, including documentation, determinations, and implementation. Leads the interactive process by evaluating medical information, identifying reasonable accommodations, and partnering with enterprise leaders to implement effective solutions, including for high-risk or legally sensitive cases in collaboration with Legal, Risk, and Compliance. Ensures timely, compliant execution by maintaining ongoing communication, overseeing case timelines and documentation, and driving adherence to all regulatory and internal requirements.

2. Serves as a subject matter expert in leave and accommodation laws, ensuring all cases are managed in full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Interprets and applies evolving legal requirements in real time to active cases, making sound, compliant decisions. Collaborates with Legal on complex matters while retaining hands-on responsibility for execution and implementation.

3. Ensures accurate, real-time case documentation and tracking in Workday and related systems while maintaining data integrity and confidentiality. Actively manages open cases to drive timely resolution, removing barriers and escalating issues as appropriate. Identifies process improvement opportunities and coordinates seamless return-to-work logistics, including system access, workplace readiness, and stakeholder alignment.

4. Serves as the primary point of contact for team members and cross-functional partners, ensuring clear and consistent communication throughout each case. Translates complex regulatory requirements into practical, actionable guidance for leaders and employees. Collaborates with HR, Legal, Benefits, and operational teams to balance compliance, business needs, and team member support.

5. Provides hands-on coaching and case consultation to junior team members, reinforcing strong execution of the interactive process and documentation standards. Delivers practical, scenario-based training to managers and HR on accommodation and leave policies. Leads by example as an actively engaged, working expert in day-to-day operations.

6. Conducts case reviews and analyzes trends to identify risks, patterns, and opportunities for improvement. Delivers data-driven insights and recommendations to strengthen programs and support informed decision-making. Supports internal audits to ensure documentation and practices meet regulatory and compliance standards.

7. Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient operation of the department.

Education, Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Healthcare, or related field required.
• Master's Degree preferred.
• Minimum seven (7) years of directly managing complex leave and accommodation cases, with demonstrated hands-on expertise in the interactive process and regulatory application required.
• Related, relevant, and/or direct experience may be considered in lieu of minimum educational requirements indicated above.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA)

• Proven experience independently resolving high-risk and escalated cases.
• Strong experience collaborating with Legal, Risk, and Compliance in real-time case handling.
• Experience in high-volume, regulated environments (e.g., healthcare, gaming) strongly preferred.
• Deep expertise in ADA/ADAAA, FMLA, CFRA, FEHA, workers' compensation, and applicable state/local laws.
• Strong knowledge of the interactive process, reasonable accommodations, disability management, and return-to-work strategies.
• Understanding of compliance requirements, audit readiness, risk mitigation, and case law application.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems (e.g., Workday, Leave Case Mgmt.) and maintaining accurate, audit-ready documentation.
• Advanced case management skills, with ability to independently manage complex, high-volume caseloads.
• Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills to assess risk and determine compliant, practical solutions.
• Effective communication skills to translate complex regulations into clear, actionable guidance.
• Analytical and process improvement skills, including data analysis, trend identification, and operational enhancements.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in high-risk, sensitive, or ambiguous situations while maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to influence stakeholders, balance compliance with business needs, and drive cases to timely resolution in a fast-paced environment.

Licenses, Certifications and Registrations

• At the discretion of the San Manuel Tribal Gaming Commission, you may be required to obtain and maintain a gaming license.
• Professional Human Resources (PHR), Senior Professional Human Resources SPHR or Certified Leave Management Specialist (CLMS) certification preferred.
• Driving Responsibilities: Role requires regular commuting between locations. A valid driver's license and vehicle insurance with minimum liability limits is required. Role will not operate or drive Tribe-owned vehicles or patron vehicles.

Physical Requirements/ Working Conditions Environment

• Primary work environment is in a climate-controlled office setting.
• Work requires travel to attend meetings, trade shows, and conferences.
• Incumbents may be required to work evening, weekend and holiday shifts.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.
• Strength sufficient to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects and/or move up to 40 pounds occasionally.
• Sedentary work: involves sitting most of the time. Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Physical activities that apply to the essential functions of the position are balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Hearing sufficient to hear conversational levels in person, via videoconference and over the telephone.
• Speech sufficient to make oneself heard and understood in person, in front of groups, in meetings, via videoconference and over the telephone.
• Visual acuity that meets the requirements of the position: The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; expansive reading and visual inspection of employees, visitors or facility.
• Mobility sufficient to safely move in an office environment, walk, stoop, bend and kneel, and enter, exit and operate a motor vehicle in the course of travel to promotional events, meetings, conferences, trade shows and San Manuel properties.
• Endurance sufficient to sit, walk and stand for extended periods, and maintain efficiency throughout the entire work shift and during extended work hours.
• The employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles including secondhand smoke.

Reasonable accommodation will be made in compliance with all applicable law.

As one of the largest private employers in the Inland Empire, San Manuel deeply cares about the future, growth and well-being of its employees. Join our team today!