Leave of Absence Specialist

The Leave of Absence Specialist is responsible for administering and coordinating teammate leaves of absence in compliance with federal, state, and company policies. This role serves as the primary point of contact for teammates, managers, HR Business Partners, and benefits providers throughout the leave process. The Leave of Absence Specialist ensures leave requests are managed accurately, timely, confidentially, and a high level of teammate care.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the full lifecycle of teammate leave requests, including intake, eligibility determination, documentation, approval, extensions, and return-to-work processes.
• Administer leaves in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including FMLA, ADA, military leave, workers compensation-related leave, and other statutory or company-sponsored leaves
• Review medical certification and supporting documentation for completeness and compliance while maintaining strict confidentiality 
• Communicate leave requirements, eligibility, teammate responsibilities, deadlines, and available benefits clearly to teammates
• Track leave balances, key dates, medical certifications, recertifications, extensions, and return-to-work requirements
• Partner with teammates, managers, People Solutions Operations, Payroll, Total Rewards, and other internal stakeholders to ensure accurate and timely leave administration
• Coordinate with third-party leave and benefits administration as needed
• Monitor teammates on leave and proactively communicate important deadlines and required actions
• Process and coordinate return to work documentation and accommodations in partnership with People Solutions Operations and applicable stakeholders
• Assist with the interactive process for teammates who may require workplace accommodations related to a medical condition or disability
• Ensure accurate updates to HRIS, Payroll, Benefits, and leave-management systems
• Maintain complete and confidential teammates leave records in accordance with company policies and legal requirements
• Support audits and other HR initiatives related to leave administration and teammate benefits.
• Provide exceptional customer service while managing sensitive and confidential teammate matters with empathy and professionalism

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field, preferred
• 2+ years of experience in leave administration, benefits, HR Operations, or a related HR function
• Working knowledge of FMLA, ADA, workers’ compensation, and other applicable leave regulations
• Experience working with HRIS and/or leave management systems
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple cases, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously 
• Excellent written and communication skills
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgement when handling sensitive teammate information
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with HR, Payroll, Total Rewards, managers and external vendors. 

WAG VALUES

• Leads with respect, integrity & accountability
• Treats others with empathy and respect

• Exemplifies and leads the team to align with WAG values
• Collaborates with the team to focus on solutions
• Finds a way to say yes

How You're Supported

As part of the Mission Pet Health family, you get the stability of a local practice backed by the comprehensive benefits and resources of a larger network. The focus is on investing in you, so you can focus on what you love.

Competitive Compensation

A competitive hourly rate or salary based on your experience and role.

Health & Wellbeing

We offer comprehensive coverage options including Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance, along with access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all teammates.

Financial Security

Plan for your future with our 401k retirement options and additional financial protection benefits like Life Insurance and Disability coverage.

Commitment to Growth

We support your career goals with opportunities for professional development, including educational assistance for qualified teammates to enroll in AVMA-accredited veterinary technician programs.

The Power of a Network

Join a nationwide community of over 20,000 veterinary professionals who share a passion for collaboration, career growth, and sharing best practices.

Valuable Perks

Enjoy discounted veterinary care for your own pets, access to an online discount platform, and free 24/7 access to doctors through Teladoc.

About Mission Pet Health

Mission Pet Health was founded by veterinarians on the belief that local practices thrive with clinical autonomy, collaboration, and medical excellence. The organization provides world-class support to its 850+ hospital teams on a hyper-local basis so they can focus on what matters most: the medicine, their patients, and their team culture. Learn more at missionpethealth.com .

Driving the award-winning culture are the WAG values – Work Together, Amaze, and Grow . Mission Pet Health is veterinarian-led, people-focused, and on a mission to be the best place to work in veterinary medicine. We are proud to be recognized as a 2025 "Most Loved Workplace," ranked #2 in America's Top 100 and #1 in veterinary care.

Reasonable Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation. Please contact View email address on apply.j-vers.com with your request and contact information.

EEO Statement: Mission Pet Health is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.