Leave and ADA Administrator at National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine in Washington, DC

Job Description Summary:

The Leave Administrator is responsible for performing administrative and professional-level functions for all company disability and medical leave programs, as well as the ADA interactive process. They lead, educate, and advise the business and other internal stakeholders on compliance with relevant regulations and NAS policy. Additionally, they provide extensive case management and ensure communication, system and administrative aspects of cases and claims are processed accurately and timely. This role requires problem-solving skills to select, organize, and logically process relevant information (verbal, numerical, or abstract) to solve problems. It also involves the ability to recognize subtle aspects of problems, identify relevant ideas, and express such information verbally so that others will understand and, at times, be convinced.

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

The Leave Administrator independently plans and carries out work, makes decisions and recommendations within the scope of their authority, and has latitude for independent judgment, action, and initiative within established guidelines. They keep the Director informed and bring complex or sensitive issues or problems forward for guidance or resolution.
The Leave Administrator delivers best-in-class leave of absence, disability, and accommodation services by effectively managing an assigned caseload to provide a compliant and smooth experience for NAS employees. They facilitate regular case review sessions with the Director and HR Liaisons to identify and execute strategies for resolution.
The Leave Administrator serves as a subject matter expert with intricate knowledge of all applicable leave and accommodation laws and governing regulations, including FMLA, ADA, FLSA, HIPAA, and State leave programs. They stay abreast of legislation and national, state, and local issues, in addition to maintaining a working knowledge of key trends and employer best practices.
Other duties include coordinating leave with all eligible benefits available, considering enrollments, company-provided benefits, and the type of leave needed. The Leave Administrator exercises judgment in selecting and applying guidelines (including confidentiality and privacy requirements) and sensitivity, ensuring that employees are aware of their protections, options, and responsibilities, including any documentation and notice required to qualify for and take leave.
They also serve as a primary contact to respond to questions from staff and management regarding leave and accommodation requests, as well as assess, research, and administer employee requests for workplace accommodations.
Administration of Reasonable Accommodation (RA) requests includes analysis, engaging in the interactive process, tracking, recommendations to the business and other internal stakeholders regarding reasonable accommodations, and timely communication. The Leave Administrator facilitates the interactive process by engaging key partners as needed, including internal HR Operations Director, HR Business Partner, Employee Relations, Legal Teams, and third-party disability administrators, to identify and assess options for providing reasonable accommodations in accordance with the ADA and other applicable laws pertaining to disabilities.
The Leave Administrator must analyze, investigate, and reconcile leave and pay discrepancies, maintaining reasonable communication with employees on leave to facilitate smooth and timely return to work, and relaying communication between employees and their managers during leave within reason.
Additionally, the Leave Administrator drafts and/or recommends revisions to company leave policies to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and maintains complete and accurate records of leave and accommodation requests in accordance with specified legal requirements and documentation of best practices.
They also maintain leave status in the HRIS and complete timesheets for employees on leave, partnering with payroll to ensure accurate leave processing and appropriate system updates.

NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
Related duties and special projects as assigned.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to prioritize work and the flexibility to change directions as the job dictates. Ability to solve problems using selection and application of extensive procedures, precedents, and rules. Ability to operate with some latitude for independent judgment and action. Ability to work successfully in a team environment. Experience working in complex environments with a high degree of organizational effectiveness. Ability to develop relationships with co-workers and employees in other National Academies’ departments through effective communication. Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to effectively interact with all levels of employees.

SKILLS:

Excellent computer skills with experience in Microsoft Office and Workday preferred.
Familiarity with Benefits and Payroll
Requires a strategic and analytical thinker who is organized and can work on multiple tasks.
Strong organizational and communication skills are critical to success in this role, as there is frequent communication necessary with employees, managers, and other internal partners.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines while managing multiple projects/tasks.
Professional and effective written and verbal communication skills with proven competency in analytical problem-solving, attention to detail, organizational skills, multitasking, and approaching challenging matters with enthusiasm and creativity in a proactive manner.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements: Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent knowledge.
Minimum Experience: Three years of related professional experience.
Physical Capabilities: Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time.
Required Licenses, Certification or Registration: None.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls: Reports to director. Supervisor is available to set priorities and objectives and assist in problem resolution.

Work Environment: Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage 40%, with occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.

Compensation Range: The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine support equity, fairness, and transparency in our compensation programs. An estimated compensation range for this position is $70,880 - $88,600. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate’s relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range. This position is a benefits-eligible position. Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance. For more information, please click here.

The National Academies’ Statement on Diversity and Inclusion:

We, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies), value diversity among our staff, members, volunteers, partners, vendors, and audiences. We recognize that talent is broadly distributed in society and that many perspectives enhance the quality of our work and drive innovation and impact.

We pledge to cultivate a workplace culture and climate that promotes inclusion, belonging, accessibility, and anti-racism; upholds equity; and values the participation of all who are engaged in advancing our mission. By embracing the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our programs, institutional policies and practices, and products, we will be able to better advise the nation on the most complex issues facing society and the world.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that is consistent with equal employment, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, medical condition for which a person has been rehabilitated or cured, marital status, family responsibilities, genetic information, political affiliation, personal appearance, matriculation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.

Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units.

Job Family:

ADMN

Employee Type:

Employee

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

City/State:

Washington, District of Columbia