General Description: Manage USI’s leave of absence program, from initial notice of the need for leave through the return to work, together with contracted vendor partner. Approximately 75% of time is spent providing consultative support and the remaining 25% on ensuring accurate, timely payment of benefits. 
Responsibilities:• Liaise with employee, local HR/management, and vendor partner when the need for a leave of absence arises.• Act as consultative partner in managing leaves:        • Serve as first point of contact for employees seeking a leave of absence. Assist employees in resolving open items with USI’s disability provider to certify and extend leaves.         • Respond to inquiries from employees and management on all state/municipal sponsored disability/paid leave claims.        • Provide guidance to employees to help them understand their pay while on leave.         • Coordinate with local HR/management to develop modified work schedules or plan return to work.         • Provide all leave of absence letters and written correspondence to employees and HR liaisons.         • Manage reasonable accommodations requests and facilitate determinations.         • Resolve complex leave issues using in-depth knowledge of leaves and policy.        • Manage intermittent leave time and disabled-and-working arrangements.        • Recommend changes to leave and benefit policies to ensure the company is compliant with federal, state, and local laws and keeping pace with best practices.        • Maintain knowledge of state paid family leave changes. • Ensure accurate, timely payment of benefits:        • Manage state disability and paid family leave offsets.         • Work with Payroll to ensure accurate leave payments and timecards.        • Monitor and track absence status and return to work planning. Update system information as necessary.         • Maintain records of leave and accommodation requests in accordance with specified legal requirements and documentation of best practices. • Preserve confidentiality of employee medical documentation and files.• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of trends and best practices.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:• 4-6 years of experience in employee benefits and leave management. • Bachelor’s degree required. • Comprehensive understanding of employee benefits as they relate to leave of absence. Includes short/long term disability, and state disability pay. • Working knowledge of employment, federal and state employment laws, and regulations.• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. • Self-motivated. Ability to multi-task in a fast paced, team environment. • Strong attention to detail.• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. • Strong client service skills and respect for confidential participant information.• Ability to set priorities and manage workflow to ensure efficient, timely, and accurate processing of transactions.