Leave Benefits Coordinator

$62,400 - $70,720/Yr

American Water Enterprises - Camden, NJ

Full-time - Mid Level

Camden, NJ

5,001-10,000 employees

Administrative and Support Services

About the position

The Specialist Leave of Absence is responsible for administering all aspects of the Leave of Absence (LOA) process in compliance with company policies as well as state and federal regulations. This role involves managing various LOA programs, including FMLA, ADA, Worker's Compensation, Military Leave, short-term disability, and long-term disability. The Specialist will engage in correspondence and timely follow-ups with employees, management, and related vendors, ensuring that the status of leaves is accurately tracked. Additionally, the role includes providing payroll instructions, conducting payroll and intermittent leave audits, and coordinating efforts among all parties involved in the LOA process. In this position, the Specialist will manage all LOA cases for employees, providing specific customer service support to employees, management, and Human Resources regarding leave eligibility and inquiries. The Specialist will educate employees and managers on the appropriate leave processes and procedures, ensuring a thorough understanding of both state and federal regulations as they pertain to various types of leave. The role requires determining eligibility for FMLA and other legally protected leaves, with the ability to escalate cases as necessary. The Specialist will also monitor and ensure the completion of all administrative activities related to LOAs. This includes administering clear, compliant, and explanatory written communications to employees on leave, providing necessary communication and plan materials throughout the leave process, and accurately completing the employer section of any required documentation. The role demands meticulous filing and tracking of all LOA correspondence and records to maintain compliance and facilitate smooth operations. Furthermore, the Specialist will coordinate with Aetna, Payroll, and manage employee overpayments related to Social Security Disability approval. This position is crucial in ensuring that all aspects of the leave process are handled efficiently and effectively, contributing to the overall well-being of employees during their time away from work.

Responsibilities

• Manage all LOA cases for employees while on leaves: STD, LTD, FMLA, Workers Compensation, etc.
• Provide specific customer service support to employees, management, and Human Resources regarding leave eligibility and inquiries.
• Educate employees and managers on the appropriate leave processes and procedures.
• Understand and coordinate state regulations with federal regulations, and multiple types of leave.
• Determine eligibility for FMLA and other types of legally protected leave and escalate cases as appropriate.
• Provide positive, responsive, and knowledgeable customer service to employees, management, and vendors.
• Coordinate with applicable parties (vendors, payroll, benefits, management, HR, etc.) to effectively manage the leave process.
• Accurately track and follow up on timing issues around leaves of absence, including deadlines for responses from employees and expected return to work dates.
• Facilitate and participate in calls with Legal and HR on complex issues.
• Monitor and ensure completion of all administrative activities related to LOAs.
• Administer clear, compliant, and explanatory written communications to employees on leave.
• Provide necessary communication and plan materials to employees and managers throughout the leave process.
• Accurately complete the employer section of any necessary documentation.
• Accurately file and track all LOA correspondence and records.
• Coordinate with Aetna, Payroll, and manage employee overpayments related to Social Security Disability approval.

Requirements

• Experience in managing leave of absence processes, including FMLA, ADA, and Workers Compensation.
• Strong understanding of state and federal leave regulations.
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to communicate effectively with employees and management.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills to track and manage multiple cases simultaneously.
• Ability to work collaboratively with various departments, including HR, Payroll, and external vendors.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with payroll systems and conducting payroll audits.
• Knowledge of Social Security Disability processes and approvals.
• Familiarity with Aetna and other leave management vendors.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and health benefits package.
• Opportunities for career development and growth.
• Focus on health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for future goals.