The Legal Aid Society Hiring for Human Resources Generalist – Leave Specialist at New York, NY  Full Time

The Legal Aid Society has an immediate opening for a Human Resources (HR) Generalist-Leave Specialist.

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Benefits and Compensation, the HR Generalist – Leave Specialist will oversee and administer leave requests and accommodations requiring specialized attention, particularly those arising under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), state and local leave laws, and short-term or long-term disability plans. They will act as a liaison between employees, HRBPs, and Matrix Leave management System, and insurance providers, as well as provides administrative support to the HR office as needed.

The HR Generalist – Leave Specialist also ensures plans are administered in accordance with federal and state regulations and plan provisions. They are also responsible for assisting managers interpret company policies, procedures, and practices. They will learn all aspects of the benefits/Operations processes and activities to provide support to the department’s daily activities, and coverage in the absence of other team members when needed. In addition, this position will assist with the maintenance of the HR system as it pertains to updates.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Communicates with employees regarding their needs for leave and/or modified work schedules.
• Ensures that employees are aware of their responsibilities and of any documentation and notice required to qualify for and to take leave
• Handles the FMLA leave administration process from the employee’s initial notice of the need for leave to the return to work. This includes gathering and completing all required paperwork, determining leave eligibility, designating leave as FMLA-qualifying, requesting medical certification as needed, and accounting for intermittent and reduced schedule leave use
• Maintains reasonable communication with employees on leave to facilitate smooth and timely return to work, relays communication between employees and their managers during leave within reason
• Advises managers and employees on the interaction of leave laws with paid time off, workers compensation, and short-term and long-term disability benefits
• Oversees the return-to-work process for employees returning from extended FMLA, workers compensation, or other leave(s)
• Facilitates other leave requests, which may include accommodation requests under the ADA
• Administers other company time-off programs as assigned in accordance with internal policy and applicable laws
• Drafts and/or recommends revisions to company leave policies to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations
• Maintains complete and accurate records of leave and accommodation requests in accordance with specified legal requirements and documentation of best practices
• Preserves confidentiality of employee medical documentation and files
• Maintains knowledge of all applicable leave and accommodation laws including the FMLA, ADA, and state and local laws
• Facilitates communication between MATRIX Leave Management vendor, employee, and HRBPs.
• Processes unemployment claims
• Provides necessary documents and reports to The National Benefit Fund on behalf of 1199 members
• Maintains employee data information in the HRIS (ADP) on a daily basis for submitted transaction forms (PANs) and works closely with payroll team for all leave-related processes.
• Initiates MetLife Life Insurance waiver of premium notification to carrier for leaves.
• Tracks LTD applications for 1199 members
• Assists with HR Operations audits
• Works on special projects as needed
• Provide support for health benefits, retirement, and other activities as needed
• Performs other related duties as assigned

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills
• Strong customer service skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate
• Ability to function well in a high-paced, high-energy environment
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality

Manhattan – Legal Aid Society Headquarters

• Bachelor’s Degree strongly preferred
• Minimum of 4 years of previous HR/Benefits experience with knowledge of the leave requirements and other legal protections afforded by the FMLA, ADA, and other applicable laws
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills a must
• Prior experience with, and understanding of HIPAA and PHI
• Knowledge of Employee Regulatory federal and state guidelines
• Prior experience with ADP/Enterprise and ADP Reporting preferred

SALARY TRANSPARENCY

The posting reflects the range of potential salaries for the role. The specific salary offers will be dependent on candidate qualifications, including collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

Salary Range/Salary: $65,000 – $70,941

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The leadership of The Legal Aid Society believes in attracting and retaining exceptional talent committed to serving our clients. We offer a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Salaries for our unionized jobs are governed by our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Please visit our Careers page for additional information. Salary and benefits information will be available to applicants, when and if an offer is made.

HIGHER EDUCATION AND LOAN FORGIVENESS

The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs.

Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice.To learn more, click the links below.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The leadership of The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)

HOW TO APPLY

All applications must be completed online. We do not accept paper submissions. Please visit our Careers Page to review all current job postings, and instructions on the application process. For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email .

As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one’s internal deeply-held sense of one’s gender which may be the same or different from one’s sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one’s name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please submit these documents as a single combined PDF when you apply via the LAS (Legal Aid Society) Recruitment Portal.

• Resume
• Cover letter