Leave Of Absence Manager Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

The Leave of Absence (LOA) Coordinator performs complex technical, administrative, and clerical duties in support of leaves, absence management, return to work, and other benefits matters. The LOA Coordinator is the primary contact regarding leaves of absence from the workplace, such as Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), short- and long-term disability, educational, medical, military, and personal leaves of absence. The LOA coordinator resides within the Benefits Team, is part of the Keys to Wellness Team, and supports the Benefits Team in numerous areas of benefit administration for the Institute.

1. Communicates with employees to understand their leave needs, evaluates leave benefit eligibility,explains applicable benefits and process, and applicable   obligations of the employee regarding their leave. Processes leave requests based on laws, rules, regulations, established procedures, and benefit plans. Uses independent judgement to determine the need to escalate an issue to HR Business Partners.2. Advises managers and employees on the interaction of leave laws and policies with regard leave accruals, FMLA, ADA, workers compensation, and short- and long-term disability benefits.  Maintains communication with employees on leave to facilitate a smooth and timely return to work. Acts as liaison between employees on leave and their managers as needed. Collaborates with HR Business Partners, Managers, and the Benefits Team on employee return-to-work plans.3. Serves as primary liaison to the third-party administrator for FMLA administration. Works directly with the HRIS team and vendor to troubleshoot eligibility files, resolve issues, generate reports, and administer the program. Regularly enhances processes, efficiencies, and reporting capabilities.  Evaluates vendor capabilities, technology, responsiveness, and service orientation.4. Collaborates with Benefits Team members on Workers Compensation claims and ensures that employees who are eligible for leave under the FMLA receive appropriate information, tracks FMLA leave designations, and ensures that leave taken while on FMLA is accurately tracked and recorded.5. Administers the short-term disability benefit program. Works directly with employees, HR Business Partners, Payroll, and the Benefits Team to coordinate the payment of short-term disability benefits.  Works with disability case administrators to ensure claims are processed in a timely fashion, monitors the portal, and communicates with employees when disability claims have lapsed, documentation is needed, and when return to work is anticipated. Informs employees of disability claim denials and facilitates return to work plans with HR Business Partners and departmental leadership. Monitors missed benefit premiums and facilitates the collection of deduction arears.6. Administers the long-term disability plan. Works directly with employees transitioning from shortterm disability, communicates benefits, explains medical benefits and COBRA coverage, and collaborates with HR Business Partners and Benefits Team so all parties are aware of status and employment changes. Facilitates the collection of benefit premiums for eligible employees while on long-term disability.7. Collaborates with HR Business Partners to facilitate other leave requests, which may include leave as an accommodation requests under the ADA.8. Is a member of the Keys to Wellness Team, attends team meetings, helps design and implement Keys to Wellness activities and employee challenges. Develops promotional communications to engage and drive organizational engagement in wellness initiatives.9. Supports weekly benefit administration processes, life event changes, annual open enrollment activities, and year end reconciliation of benefit plans. Enters status changes and facilitates the collection of missed benefit premiums that have gone into arrears.10. Works with beneficiaries to facilitate life insurance benefit payments and assignment of benefits to funeral homes.

QUALIFICATIONS: Completion of specialized certification or training related to FMLA/leave administration a plus.

EDUCATION: High School diploma required. College coursework preferred.

EXPERIENCE:One year of benefits administration, FMLA leave administration, disability benefit administration, or payroll required.