Leave Coordinator

Benefits And Leave Coordinator

The Human Resources Department provides leadership and support to the organization for servicing comprehensive human resources functions. The department is dedicated to providing effective policies, procedures, and people-friendly guidelines to enhance the County's services by supporting operational efficiencies with our value-added strategic customer service partnerships. The HR team champions a culture of inclusion, innovation, collaboration, and engagement to realize the full potential of the people who serve our community.

We accomplish our mission with integrity, accountability, equity, empathy, and creativity.

Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,250 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices. Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon.

We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods. We hope you'll consider joining our talented team.

We are seeking an experienced Benefits and Leave Coordinator who is innovative, driven and passionate about the leave management process. From finding new ways to engage employees, to making sure we meet all regulations, you'll play a vital role in ensuring a streamlined, easy to navigate experience for our employees needing leave.

Under the direction of the HR Director, you'll administer all employee leave programs, including Paid Leave Oregon (PLO), Oregon Family Leave (OFLA), and Family/Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and other State of Oregon leave entitlements. Understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as it relates to employment is essential.

Additionally, you will process long-term disability and employee and dependent life insurance claims. You will be responsible for processing all requests for protected leave, effectively communicating with employees, supervisors, and others on eligibility and status updates, advising employees on appropriate time sheet coding while on leave, accurately tracking utilization for each leave type, and serving as a primary point of contact regarding all leave-related inquiries and issues.

Additionally, you will assist the Benefits Team in providing guidance and support to employees on all county-provided employee benefits. You are someone who loves to approach problems with curiosity, is focused on creating an outstanding experience for others, and is a subject matter expert in the field of leave administration. You are a champion for employees and have a strong understanding of applicable local, state and federal regulations pertaining to leave and employment law.

You look for innovative and creative solutions to maximize process efficiency while making every person feel valuable. You are a people-person who engages at all levels of the organization. Work is typically performed Monday – Friday during regular business hours. A hybrid/remote work schedule is available. Staff are required to work in office three days per week.

Key Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of the HR Director, administer all leave programs and advise employees throughout their leave, respond to questions, and evaluate and ensure records, documentation, and systems comply with established laws and regulations.

• Serves as a subject matter expert to interpret and guide employees and management on compliance and administration of leave program and practices.
• Coordinate with employees, supervisors, and payroll to review employee timesheets to ensure correct leave coding prior to payroll processing. Responsible for accurate benefit-related payroll deductions prior to employee leave, as well as collection of missed benefit-related deductions during any periods of unpaid leave.
• Coordinate with employees and supervisors on ADA requests for accommodation.
• Submit and track long-term disability claims with service provider.
• Partners closely with…