Benefits & Leave Specialist Level IV Job Saginaw area,Michigan USA,HR/Recruitment

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION

Under the supervision of the HR Manager and direction of the Director of Human Resources, this position is responsible for the comprehensive, centralized administration of employee leave programs forthe Saginaw Intermediate School District (SISD) and assigned local educational agency (LEA) districts, and for support inthe administration of defined employee benefits. The Specialist ensures timely, accurate, consistent, and confidentialservice in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements, employment contracts, Board policies, benefit plan documents, insurance provider requirements, and state and federal law.

The Specialist coordinates closely with employees, supervisors, local-district contacts, payroll, finance, benefit carriers, and Human Resources staff.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES Leave Administration and Compliance

1. Serve as the primary point of contact for employee leave requests and administer all assigned leave programs for SISD and four assigned LEA districts, including FMLA, ESTA, ADA-related leave and accommodation coordination, leave provisions under collective bargaining agreements and employment contracts, Board-policy leaves, unpaid leaves, and other statutory or approved leaves.

2. Manage the complete leave process from intake through closure, including eligibility review, required notices, rights and responsibilities, certification and recertification tracking, designation, extensions, intermittent or reduced-schedule leave monitoring, status updates, return-to-work documentation, and case closure.

3. Interpret and consistently apply collective bargaining agreements, employment contracts, Board policies, procedures, and applicable state and federal law related to paid and unpaid leave. Consult with HR leadership on complex, high-risk, or precedent-setting matters.

4. Determine and coordinate the sequencing and integration of sick leave, vacation, personal leave, unpaid leave, disability benefits, workers' compensation, and other applicable paid-time or wage-replacement programs.

5. Maintain accurate leave dates, balances, hours, status codes, notes, and supporting documentation in Skyward and other approved systems; maintain required confidential medical files; and reconcile leave information with payroll, timekeeping, benefits, and employee-status records.

6. Provide clear, timely, and supportive communication to employees, supervisors, payroll staff, and local-district contacts regarding leave eligibility, documentation, responsibilities, status, deadlines, benefit continuation, premium obligations, work restrictions, and return-to-work requirements.

7. Coordinate ADA interactive-process documentation and implementation of approved accommodations in consultation with HR leadership, supervisors, medical providers, and legal counsel as appropriate.

8. Coordinate long-term disability, insurance continuation or discontinuation, employee premium collection, and COBRA-related actions that arise during or at the end of a leave, ensuring accurate implementation with payroll, benefits staff, and HR Generalists.

9. Administer workers' compensation processes for SISD and assigned LEA districts, including claim intake and reporting, carrier or third-party administrator communication, wage and employment information, medical-status and work-restriction tracking, return-to-work coordination, and claim documentation.

10. Prepare and maintain unemployment claim records; respond to claims and information requests; coordinate with district representatives and third-party administrators; and participate in hearings or appeals as assigned.

11. Monitor leave and related compliance developments; maintain procedures, forms, templates, calendars, and communications; provide training; and support audits, reporting, and corrective action as directed.

Benefits Administration Support

1. Administer the defined employee benefits support functions for assigned districts, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, HSA, FSA, and other benefit programs applicable under each district's HR service agreement and plan offerings.

2. Establish procedures and service…