Leave & Accommodation Specialist

Leave & Accommodation Specialist

Under the direction of the Leave & Disability Manager, the Leave & Accommodation Specialist provides support to all team members who are requesting leave of absence or disability accommodation. Serves as the liaison between team members and enterprise leaders when team members are seeking reasonable accommodation through the interactive process. Is responsible for managing the complete cycle of disability accommodation, leave requests, and interactive processes by engaging team members, medical professionals, enterprise leaders, and Human Resources to assist team members who require workplace accommodation. Ensures all processes and procedures are effectively executed and managed in accordance with applicable Federal, State and Local regulations, including consulting with the Legal team for guidance on complicated accommodation situations.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

1. Serves as the subject matter expert for disability accommodation requests and leave programs to ensure alignment with applicable laws and enterprise policies and procedures. Updates Human Resources team members on applicable State and Federal changes related to any disability accommodation programs.

2. Works closely with the enterprise third-party administrator in handling and processing all Leave of Absence related claims. Reviews documentation from the third-party administrator, team members, and medical providers to ensure its accuracy, completeness, and conformance to the workflow process prior to moving cases forward. Completes outbound leaves, extensions, and return-to-work actions in Workday on a timely basis.

3. Maintains reasonable communication with team members on leave to facilitate a smooth return to work by relaying communication between team members and their leaders during leave within reason. Coordinates with other departments to ensure that team member access is restored prior to their return.

4. Assists the Leave & Disability Manager with drafting and/or recommending revisions to enterprise leave policies to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and Local laws and regulations. Collaborates with Human Resources, enterprise leaders and the Legal department on the administration, reporting, and analysis of cases. as assigned to support the efficient operation of the department.

5. Maintains complete and accurate records of leave and accommodation requests and time taken in accordance with specified legal requirements and documentation of best practices. Ensures leave processing and status in the Workday HRIS (Human Resource Information System), and internal leave tracking tools is completed according to enterprise standards, including protecting personal information of team members.

6. Tracks and conducts necessary follow-up on all accommodation inquiries and approved leaves from the time of request to completion. Provides updates to direct leaders on all open accommodation claims on a regular basis.

7. Composes correspondence that clearly and concisely communicates leave information and timelines, as needed. Ensures all reports and case closure system documentation meet quality standards.

8. 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, or Healthcare is required.
• Minimum five (5) years of progressive and relevant experience working in Human Resources performing leaves of absence administration, and disability accommodations required.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/Interactive process administration required.
• Related, relevant, and/or direct experience may be considered in lieu of minimum educational requirements indicated above.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities (Ksa)

• Strong knowledge and understanding of disability management, return-to-work strategies, Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) and related state and local statutes.
• Demonstrated experience working in a Healthcare environment with a high volume of accommodation cases.
• Ability to analyze, problem solve, organize, and manage multiple priorities, and effectively follow up in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to build and maintain effective professional relationships through strong interpersonal skills including consistent demonstration of solid professional judgement.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities, including effective presentation skills at all levels of the enterprise including technical language with representatives from the Legal team.
• Able to provide exceptional customer service by exhibiting a high sense of urgency, exceptional follow-up, and follow-through.
• Must have meticulous attention to detail, critical thinking skills, and the willingness to accept constructive feedback.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to examine documents for accuracy and completeness.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports and/or presentations.
• Solid skills in Microsoft Office programs, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook.

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.
• Add Job Specific Licenses, Certifications and Registration.
• 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

The physical demands and working environment described here are representative of those that an employee encounters and must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• 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!