Senior ADA Specialist

Role Description

This position is the second step in the ADA career path for ADA Specialists. This role is a progressive technical position in the career path within the Benefits Center and may be responsible for handling complex and/or larger corporate accounts. It plays a key role in the ongoing relationship management with employees requesting leaves and their Employer contacts.

The role will facilitate clear understanding of Unum communications, processes, and benefits. The Sr ADA Specialist is positioned to educate other Team Members regarding process and considerations in stay at work, return to work and workplace adjustments.

In some niche cases or clients, the incumbent may be expected to process both leave and ADA administration, usually in support of large, complex corporate accounts. In these situations, very well-developed leave processing skills, the ability to work independently, in-depth process knowledge and advanced system knowledge, as well as excellent customer service skills are required. The incumbent must demonstrate a high level of proficiency and independence in every aspect of the role and can share their knowledge and serve as a mentor with newer employees.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves as a resource for our moderate to complex ADA customers’ designated HR representatives regarding questions related to ADA, integrated leave management procedures, FMLA process, and STD/LTD claims management.
• Serve as technical resource for team and less-experienced ADA Specialists.
• Fields and resolves escalated customer issues and leave-specific questions for customers.
• Serve as mentor and coach to new and existing ADA Specialist on workflows, processes, decision making, and complex service issues.
• Provides director/manager with performance/feedback for assigned mentees.
• Contributes as a subject matter expert in business and systems (Navilink, BAS, SALT, CLI).
• Stays up to date on the evolving ADA federal and statutory landscape.
• Provides consultation and education to customer about individual readiness or projected readiness of their employee to stay at work or return to work as well as ADA considerations.
• Obtain or review medical information to determine whether to provide recommendation to customer regarding qualification of employee for worksite modification and identify possible worksite modifications for employees who present medical conditions or functional limitations that impact their abilities to perform work tasks or disrupt productivity levels.
• Consider when to recommend or follow through on customer’s request to coordinate independent medical evaluations.
• Partner with appropriate Unum entities, including the Law Department, clinical and vocational resources, and our disability/leave organizations, to effectively deliver the service.
• Remain current in education regarding state insurance privacy laws and HIPAA and assist customer in identifying issues when communicating regarding medical information.
• Track what modifications are provided by the customer and ensure proper documentation on all interactions and customers’ modification decisions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent, relevant business experience.
• Demonstrated experience and proficiency in disability management, leave management, workers compensation administration, clinical and/or vocational rehabilitation, disability case management, or human resources.
• Subject Matter Expert in legal issues pertaining to disability and absence management, particularly knowledge of FMLA, ADA, and state leave laws.
• Proven excellence in using persuasion and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated collaborative behavior and being a strong team player.
• Strong creativity and problem-solving skills, including ability to analyze impacts and implications of viable approaches, identify alternative approaches, achieve resolution.
• Ability to work independently and produce results in timely manner.
• Demonstrated analytical skills including ability to produce credible reports and documents on a range of related topics.
• Ability to effectively participate in relatively ambiguous work situations and structures.
• Ability to exercise sensitivity, encouragement, and discretion with customer’s employees to encourage return to work or stay at work.
• Ability to work cooperatively with employers, vendors, and clinical specialists to conceptualize, create, implement and evaluate RTW plans for employees.
• Understanding and proficient use of system applications, including tools for tracking, documenting and/or diary systems.

Benefits

• Award-winning culture.
• Inclusion and diversity as a priority.
• Performance Based Incentive Plans.
• Competitive benefits package that includes: Health, Vision, Dental, Short & Long-Term Disability.
• Generous PTO (including paid time to volunteer!).
• Up to 9.5% 401(k) employer contribution.
• Mental health support.
• Career advancement opportunities.
• Student loan repayment options.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Flexible work environments.
• *All the benefits listed above are subject to the terms of their individual Plans.

Company Description

Unum and Colonial Life are part of Unum Group, a Fortune 500 company and leading provider of employee benefits to companies worldwide. Headquartered in Chattanooga, TN, with international offices in Ireland, Poland and the UK, Unum also has significant operations in Portland, ME, and Baton Rouge, LA - plus over 35 US field offices. Colonial Life is headquartered in Columbia, SC, with over 40 field offices nationwide.

Unum is an equal opportunity employer, considering all qualified applicants and employees for hiring, placement, and advancement, without regard to a person's race, color, religion, national origin, age, genetic information, military status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or protected veteran status.