Leave and Disability Specialist

at  Goodwill of Central Northern Arizona

2626 W Beryl Ave Phoenix Arizona, 85021,
Position Description:
Administers all aspects for Leaves of Absence (LOA) and accommodations under Company Policy, FMLA, Americans with Disabilities (ADA), Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), Pump Act, Military Leave, and all other local, state, or federal leave laws for Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona (GCNA) and its affiliated entities. Coordinates leaves with short-term disability and benefits for Team Members where necessary. Ensures compliance with company policies and federal and state leave regulations while providing instruction, guidance, and excellent customer service to Team Members, Leaders and Human Resources professionals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the overall administration of Family Medical Leave (FMLA), State Leave Laws, Military Leave, Americans with Disabilities (ADA), Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), Pump Act, which includes leave intake, interactive process, documentation, review of leaves certifications, file preparation, tracking, monitoring, notification, and documenting the use of time off for FMLA, ADA, and PWFA
• Responsible for administration of the full leave of absence process, including establishing eligibility, explaining the leave process, sending appropriate leader and Team Member notifications, medical certification review, approval, denials, recertification, and leave exhaustion process.
• Consults and advises client groups regarding leave and accommodations.
• Reviews, responds, processes absence requests, FMLA absences, terminations due to inability to complete work or medical reasons in HRIS system inbox.
• Reviews receipt of Team Member’s medical return-to-work release documentation to process return to work notice; communicates the return-to-work with Leaders and Team Members timely and accordingly.
• Receives, reviews, processes documentation, faxes, inquiries received in HRIS communication system, fax, or email according to established process.
• Completes biweekly audit for Team Members on leave with benefits, sending to Benefits Team advising who is out on leave with benefits without pay.
• Completes return to work biweekly audit prior to payroll processing to capture full time Team Members returning to work.
• Compiles “unpaid time” salary report and sends to payroll biweekly prior to payroll running.
• Builds relationships with Team Members and Leaders, and acts as the main point of contact with healthcare providers, Team Members and leaders.
• On a daily basis, effectively communicates, whether verbal or written, the status of LOA, ADA, PWFA, Pump Act, etc. accommodation(s) to Leadership, HR Business Partners, and Team Members, as appropriate.
• Escalates sensitive leave or accommodations requests as appropriate to the Sr. Leave and Disability Partner and Manager, Leave & Disability Administration.
• Makes effective use of leave and accommodation management software to ensure all case-related metrics and documentation are appropriately captured and retained.
• Responds to Team Member’s requests regarding leave of absence and eligibility for LOA requests and provides information for short- and long-term disability benefits when requested.
• Reviews, approves, and/or denies leave cases based on relevant medical information. Coordinates and organizes all medical information and ensures that HIPAA and Employee Privacy guidelines are closely monitored and effectively executed.
• Follows up with healthcare providers requesting additional, missing or clarification of information received on leave forms, doctors note, medical work releases, or medical certifications as needed.
• Ensures that Short Term Disability claims are coordinated with FMLA or general medical cases.
• Serves as the subject matter expert for the leave program in alignment and under the general direction and guidance of HR leadership and the legal department.
• Interprets and administers leave programs and policies in accordance with the applicable federal and state employment laws (FMLA, ADA, USERRA, PWFA, Pump Act, etc.). Provides extensive case management and coordinates administrative aspects of the cases and claims.
• Effectively identifies and escalates any compliance or risk issues and concerns to the Manager, Leave & Disability Administration.
• Receives, tracks, and enters all LOA information into HRIS or other tracking mechanisms.
• Ensures all ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) requirements are followed.
• Assists in the creation and facilitation of leave administration training programs, including education for Leadership on how Leave of Absence works, and their responsibility in the process.
• Demonstrates best-in-class customer service; builds relationships internally and collaborates effectively on cross-functional teams.
• Maintains strict confidentiality and business logic.
• May perform duties after hours, if needed
• Backs-up other Team Members, as needed.
• Models Goodwill Core Values – Trust, Collaboration, Engagement, Ownership, and Innovation.
• Maintains regular and consistent in-person attendance.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience, Skills):

• High School Diploma or GED required. Associates Degree preferred.
• Must have 1-2 years’ FMLA, ADA, Full Cycle Leave Management related experience.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, preferred.
• Ability to read and write English proficiently.
• Proficient in MS Office including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to pay attention to detail and ensure accuracy.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations regarding LOA including HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, PWFA, Pump Act, FLSA and Wage and Hour Law.
• Customer-focused orientation with strong communication skills and the ability to function as an effective and respected partner to internal clients.
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks while still delivering high quality results in a fast-paced environment, working well under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to explain difficult issues and information clearly, ensuring communication is understood.
• Must have the ability to multi-task, solve problems, and meet deadlines as well as strong organizational skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to demonstrate objectivity in decision-making and the ability to maintain confidentiality of all Team Member information.
• Ability to remain compliant with our policies, processes, and legal guidelines.
• Ability to pass a background check and drug screen, where applicable for the position.

You will be eligible for a comprehensive Total Rewards package, 1st of the month following 60 days of employment that includes the following:

• 5 Medical Plans
• Employer Funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
• 3 Dental Plans
• Vision Plan
• 401K (Immediate participation upon hire)
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Time Off; Sick and Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• These are just a few highlights of our key benefit offerings!

Become a valuable part of our team and work for a company which has been named a Best Place to work by the Phoenix Business Journal 4 out of the last 5 years. Work for a company which has seen double digit growth year after year for nearly a decade. Work for a company which values diversity and is centered on success. Goodwill of Central & Northern Arizona - We Put People to Work!
Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona endeavors to make our website accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact HR Support at 602-535-4000, option 5, or RecruitingOperations@goodwillaz.org.
We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, the presence of a non-job related medical condition or disability, or any other legally protected status. We will make reasonable accommodation and modification, including adaptive devices, to assist any person with a disability to apply for and, if hired, to perform the duties the position they seek. Assistance could include help in completing on-line application as well as providing alternative communication, e.g., Braille and Large Print.
PHISHING SCAM WARNING: Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona/Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley, Inc. (“GCNA/GIMV”) are among several companies recently made aware of a phishing scam involving con artists posing as hiring managers recruiting via email, text and social media. The imposters are creating misleading email accounts, conducting remote “interviews,” and making artificial job offers in order to collect personal and financial information from unsuspecting individuals. Please note that GCNA/GIMV only use company email addresses, which contain “@goodwillaz.org” or @gimv.org”, to communicate with candidates via email. The company also uses secure tools on our website to receive data from applicants and would never ask them to submit their personal banking information to apply for an open job. If you are contacted by someone about an open job at GCNA/GIMV, please verify the domain of the sender’s email address and that they are asking you to apply on this website. If you believe you have been a victim of a phishing scam, please visit the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Smart website (https://www.cisa.gov/be-cyber-smart/campaign) to learn how to report it

• Responsible for the overall administration of Family Medical Leave (FMLA), State Leave Laws, Military Leave, Americans with Disabilities (ADA), Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), Pump Act, which includes leave intake, interactive process, documentation, review of leaves certifications, file preparation, tracking, monitoring, notification, and documenting the use of time off for FMLA, ADA, and PWFA
• Responsible for administration of the full leave of absence process, including establishing eligibility, explaining the leave process, sending appropriate leader and Team Member notifications, medical certification review, approval, denials, recertification, and leave exhaustion process.
• Consults and advises client groups regarding leave and accommodations.
• Reviews, responds, processes absence requests, FMLA absences, terminations due to inability to complete work or medical reasons in HRIS system inbox.
• Reviews receipt of Team Member’s medical return-to-work release documentation to process return to work notice; communicates the return-to-work with Leaders and Team Members timely and accordingly.
• Receives, reviews, processes documentation, faxes, inquiries received in HRIS communication system, fax, or email according to established process.
• Completes biweekly audit for Team Members on leave with benefits, sending to Benefits Team advising who is out on leave with benefits without pay.
• Completes return to work biweekly audit prior to payroll processing to capture full time Team Members returning to work.
• Compiles “unpaid time” salary report and sends to payroll biweekly prior to payroll running.
• Builds relationships with Team Members and Leaders, and acts as the main point of contact with healthcare providers, Team Members and leaders.
• On a daily basis, effectively communicates, whether verbal or written, the status of LOA, ADA, PWFA, Pump Act, etc. accommodation(s) to Leadership, HR Business Partners, and Team Members, as appropriate.
• Escalates sensitive leave or accommodations requests as appropriate to the Sr. Leave and Disability Partner and Manager, Leave & Disability Administration.
• Makes effective use of leave and accommodation management software to ensure all case-related metrics and documentation are appropriately captured and retained.
• Responds to Team Member’s requests regarding leave of absence and eligibility for LOA requests and provides information for short- and long-term disability benefits when requested.
• Reviews, approves, and/or denies leave cases based on relevant medical information. Coordinates and organizes all medical information and ensures that HIPAA and Employee Privacy guidelines are closely monitored and effectively executed.
• Follows up with healthcare providers requesting additional, missing or clarification of information received on leave forms, doctors note, medical work releases, or medical certifications as needed.
• Ensures that Short Term Disability claims are coordinated with FMLA or general medical cases.
• Serves as the subject matter expert for the leave program in alignment and under the general direction and guidance of HR leadership and the legal department.
• Interprets and administers leave programs and policies in accordance with the applicable federal and state employment laws (FMLA, ADA, USERRA, PWFA, Pump Act, etc.). Provides extensive case management and coordinates administrative aspects of the cases and claims.
• Effectively identifies and escalates any compliance or risk issues and concerns to the Manager, Leave & Disability Administration.
• Receives, tracks, and enters all LOA information into HRIS or other tracking mechanisms.
• Ensures all ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) requirements are followed.
• Assists in the creation and facilitation of leave administration training programs, including education for Leadership on how Leave of Absence works, and their responsibility in the process.
• Demonstrates best-in-class customer service; builds relationships internally and collaborates effectively on cross-functional teams.
• Maintains strict confidentiality and business logic.
• May perform duties after hours, if needed
• Backs-up other Team Members, as needed.
• Models Goodwill Core Values – Trust, Collaboration, Engagement, Ownership, and Innovation.
• Maintains regular and consistent in-person attendance.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned