Entry Level Legal Assistant Jobs in Woonsocket, RI

Official Title: Senior Manager for ADA Accommodations & Workers’ Compensation

Pay Grade: Senior Management 1

Salary Range: SM1 Entry Level Pay $111,214.74 to Pay Range Maximum $164,015.80

Salary Notes: This position is designated as Management. Starting Salary will be based on a review of qualifications and experience.

Departmental Mission Statement: Our mission is to create a culture that values all employees, maximizes individual potential, and positions the Massachusetts Trial Court's Human Resources Department as a trusted, knowledgeable, and strategic partner. Human Resources will achieve this through innovative approaches to attracting, developing, and retaining a high-performing, inclusive and diverse workforce, and by fostering creative problem solving and continuous improvement through ongoing development of business acumen.

Notes: This position will remain open until filled with preference given to candidates that apply within the first 14 days.
This position is designated as a management position and is covered by the Trial Court Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.

This position currently offers a hybrid schedule of no more than two days remote per week (subject to change).

Position Summary: Working within the Human Resources Department of the Office of Court Management (OCM), under the direction of the Assistant Chief HR Officer for Benefits & Onboarding, the Senior Manager for ADA Accommodations and Workers’ Compensation leads two critical programs that support employee well being and organizational compliance for the Trial Court. This role oversees the full ADA interactive process, evaluating accommodation requests, and partnering with managers to implement effective solutions that enable employees to perform their essential job functions. Works in consultation as needed with the Legal Department, HR Labor Relations Unit, and the Leaves Manager to properly monitor and manage employee reasonable accommodations. In addition, the senior manager directs all aspects of workers’ compensation claims, injury reporting, and return to work coordination, working closely with the Commonwealth of MA - HRD Worker’s Compensation Unit, the Trial Court Legal Department and Trial Court leaders. This ensures employees receive the support they need from the senior manager who serves as the subject matter expert on disability accommodation, occupational injury management, and return to work strategies. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in disability compliance, strong case management skills, and the ability to balance empathy with sound judgment while fostering a safe, inclusive, and productive workplace.

Supervision Received: Reports to the Assistant Chief Human Resources Officer for Benefits & Onboarding and receive general supervision in performing duties which require a high degree of independent judgment and initiative.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Manage ADA/ADAAA Interactive Process — Oversee the full reasonable accommodation workflow, including intake, documentation, medical review, and timely case resolution, ensuring timely, compliant, and empathetic case handling.
• Evaluate Accommodation Requests — Assess essential job functions, review medical information, determine reasonable accommodations, and collaborate with managers on implementation. Facilitate the interactive dialogue between employees and managers to drive optimal outcomes.
• Administer Workers’ Compensation Claims — Coordinate all aspects of workers’ compensation claims, from injury reporting through claim closure, ensuring compliance with state regulations, work collaboratively with the Human Resources Division, Workers’ Compensation Unit as the Commonwealth of MA program administrator and the Trial Court Legal Department.
• Coordinate Return to Work Programs — Develop and manage transitional duty assignments, monitor restrictions, and support employees’ safe return to full duty.
• Maintain Compliance Documentation — Ensure accurate, confidential recordkeeping for ADA, workers’ compensation, and related regulatory requirements.
• Train Managers and HR Partners — Develop and deliver training on ADA obligations, accommodation processes, injury reporting, and safe work practices.
• Provide HR Policy Guidance — Provide guidance and expertise to employees, managers, and HR partners on related leave policies, processes, and interactions to ensure consistent and compliant decision making are applied to workplace issues that involve medical or disability related considerations.
• Analyze Trends and Prepare Reports — Track accommodation activity, claim costs, injury trends, and compliance metrics; present findings to HR leadership

Job Competencies: All applicants must be able, through the interview process, to prove efficiency in the following areas:

Ethics and Values Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Human Resources Department and the Trial Court.
Mission Understands, upholds, and communicates the Trial Court and Human Resources Department missions.
Problem Solving Accurately assesses ADA accommodation requests and workers’ comp matters in the Trial Court and recommends and facilitates appropriate solutions and innovations.
Customer Service Establishes a culture of courteous and professional customer service towards both Trial Court employees and the public.
Collaboration Works with others cooperatively, demonstrating a willingness to be a team player, and contributing to a work environment that focuses on shared departmental goals.
Applied Knowledge Demonstrates extensive experience and knowledge of human resources to ensure the continued excellence of the workforce to resolve issues, and to properly administer personnel policies and procedures in a unionized employee environment;
Commitment to Diversity Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds.
Continuous Learning Demonstrates a commitment to continuously improving himself or herself through professional development.

Minimum Requirements: These are the minimum requirements necessary for the position of Senior Manager for ADA Accommodations and Workers’ Compensation:
Bachelor’s degree and (6) years of professional HR work experience with progressive responsibilities, including direct management of Workers’ Compensation cases and/or ADA administration; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered for meeting the minimum requirements; a law degree with expertise in disability law is preferred.
Professional Background: The ideal candidate will bring a strong professional background in Workers’ Compensation administration and ADA compliance, with demonstrated experience guiding departments through complex leave, accommodation, and return to work processes. They will have a deep understanding of federal and state regulatory requirements, the ability to conduct thorough claim reviews, and skill in coordinating with a third-party administrator, employees, and managers to ensure fair, timely, and legally compliant outcomes. Success in this role requires strong analytical judgment, clear communication, and the capacity to develop proactive strategies that support both organizational needs and employee well being.

Certifications such as SHRM, SPHR, or Lean/Six Sigma are desirable.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Demonstrated working knowledge of federal and state Workers’ Compensation laws, ADA, FMLA, PFML and related employment regulations.
Experience managing employee accommodations, return to work processes, and interactive discussions.
Strong analytical and case management skills, with the ability to evaluate medical documentation and coordinate with third party administrators.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and professionally with people at all levels, including judges, and to maintain effective working relationships;
Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise good judgment, and handle sensitive situations with professionalism.
Proficiency with HRIS platforms and claim management systems.
Ability to generate and analyze data reports;
Ability to understand and administer policies and procedures of the Human Resources Department and the Massachusetts Trial Court;
Well-developed writing skills to regularly draft business correspondence and to present project information clearly and concisely;
An ability and commitment to observing the strict confidentiality of sensitive information maintained by the Human Resources Department;
Ability to multi-task and manage a variety of assignments at once;
Ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and develop workarounds for issues that require timely resolution;
Ability to maintain accurate records;
Ability to work independently and with an attention to detail;
Ability to develop and comfortably and effectively present at training seminars and public speaking engagements as necessary;
Ability to travel within the Commonwealth as necessary related to training, conferences, work events, and project management/rollout- initiatives.