Human Resources Specialist - Leave

The Center School – Holyoke, Massachusetts

• Job
• Final date to receive applications:
  Posted until filled
• Posted:
  Oct 16, 2026 12:00 AM (UTC)
• Starting Date:
  Immediately

The Positive Regard Network invites applicants for the position of Human Resources Specialist, with primary responsibilities focused on employee leave administration and employee benefits. This position is responsible for the day-to-day administration of employee leave, benefits, and HR records and serves as a primary resource to employees regarding leave and benefit questions. The Human Resources Specialist coordinates required documentation and tracking, manages related compliance processes across Massachusetts and Connecticut, and handles employee file maintenance, unemployment documentation, reporting, and other HR administrative responsibilities as assigned.

Applies understanding and a high-level knowledge of leave of absence policies, procedures, and the absence management system, and utilizes that to ensure leaves are handled properly from a compliance, process, and experience standpoint. The HR Specialist will manage all aspects related to leave of absence cases (FMLA/PFML/CT Paid Leave/STD/LTD/personal leaves/etc.), assisting with leave administration items (employment verifications, reports, payroll balancing, work comp communication, etc.),

completing daily audits for leave and payroll entries, reviewing medical documentation to determine FMLA approval, researching and resolving employee leave of absence related questions, and assisting in training managers on leave correspondence when needed. This role serves as a subject matter expert in all aspects of leave of absence for employees and uses knowledge to identify and implement process improvements.

The position is full time, 52 weeks per year. Competitive salary commensurate with experience;
Salary range $62k-77K per year. Excellent benefits package including over four weeks of vacation time.

• An Associate’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field;
  Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible human resources experience, which must include employee leave management and benefits administration.
• HRCI or SHRM Certification strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), Google docs and HRIS or database systems.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

• Coordinates and tracks employee leaves, including FMLA, CT FMLA, Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), Connecticut Paid Leave, workers compensation, and other applicable leave programs, under the guidance of the Associate Director of HR. Responds to leave-related requests and documentation from Massachusetts and Connecticut agencies in a timely manner.
• Consult with and advise employees on eligibility, provisions, and other matters related to leave of absence (LOA).
• Create and distribute employee eligibility and determination notices for all leave types, ensuring they meet all federal and state compliance requirements.
• Review provided medical documentation to evaluate and determine approval period for family medical leave requests.
• Develops, implements, and maintains tracking systems that assist in efficient management of employee time, absences and related processes (i.e Paid Leave intermittent tracking), as requested by the HR team.
• Perform complex leave and pay-related…