Lead Human Resources Leave Specialist

Job summary: The Lead Human Resources Leave Specialist is responsible for leading and actively supporting all district staff in leave administration and attendance management in addition to providing leadership and work direction to the Human Resource Leave Specialist and the Human Resources Attendance Specialist. This position provides guidance, training and support to all HR staff on the leave and attendance processes and ensures compliance with federal and state statutes/rules and district contract language.This position will also lead implementation of new or changing state and federal laws and regulation pertaining to employee leaves and attendance.  Provides excellent customer service to supervisors and staff.  Responsibilities and tasks include: Ensures compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.  Research and keep up to date with new and changing state and federal laws and regulations regarding employee leaves.  Interpret and make recommendations to update current processes and procedures and implement new and changing state and federal laws and regulations regarding employee leaves. Partner with HR Leave Specialist and HR Attendance Specialist to ensure up to date and accurate documentation of work processes and practices.  Provides support and daily work direction.Partner with HR Leave Specialist and HR Attendance Specialist to act as a first resource for questions regarding practices and process.  Act as back up for HR Leave Specialist and HR Attendance Specialist, supporting their roles during absences and periods of high demand. Partner with HR Business Partners and ADA/Worker's Compensation Specialsit to ensure timely and frequent communication supporting district employee needs.   Work closely with payroll and HR Specialists to ensure pay for employees is accurate and timely.  Develop and maintain process and procedure documentation.  Provide support to districts overall benefit program.Partner with the HR Coordinator to support benefit program updates, renewals, and implementing employee benefit programs.  Create and disseminate employee benefit educational and informative materials.  Initiates applicable personnel actions related to employee leaves cycle.  Determine leave eligibility including contractual leaves and FMLA with employee request and interpreting contract language. Develop compensation calendars for leaves including eligibility for pay. Communicates via email, written documentation, in person and phone with employees and supervisor. Approves leave based on relevant medical documentation. Maintains contact with employees and supervisors throughout leave and coordinates all aspects of return via phone and email. Advises employees and managers on the interaction of leave laws, contract language in terms of time off. Works with human resources and payroll teams to identify and develop functional improvements in order to streamline processes. Determines when employees are eligible to apply for long term disability and completes employer long term disability questionnaire for carrier. Determines benefits eligibility of employee during and after leave. Develops and updates documentation of leave processes. Skills, Knowledge & Abilities include: Enhanced knowledge of employment laws and practices. Enhanced knowledge and experience in the administration of benefits and compensation programs and other human resources programs. General knowledge of labor contract law and principles. Enhanced knowledge of public sector organization, functions, operations, and jobs; understanding mission statement, goals, and philosophy as it impacts the support functions and responsibilities of human resource programs and services. Enhanced knowledge of the operation and applications used in maintaining personnel files, records retention, record/file/database maintenance requirements, compliance reporting, and administrative requirements pertaining to human resource programs and objectives. Enhanced knowledge of district administrative policies and procedures. Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment and the Internet, including Excel and demonstrated skills in human resource information system (HRIS) database management and recordkeeping; ability to learn new computer program applications quickly. Performing assigned functions with minimal direction in accordance with established set departmental operations. Leading the work of others by providing timely, tactful, and detailed feedback. Minimum qualifications include:  2 years college Course work in human resources, health care management, or equivalent of 4-6 years of increasingly responsible professional human resources work experience. Working knowledge of state and federal leave laws and regulations.  Preferred qualifications include:  Excellent oral and written communication skills; business letter writing and report preparation. Excellent interpersonal and coaching skills; ability to work collaboratively with others. Evidence of practice with a high level of confidentiality. Excellent organizational skills. Effective interviewing and investigation skills and techniques. Ability to interpret and apply complex laws, rules, policies, regulations, and labor contract language. Principles of mathematics, including the ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide using decimals, percentages and fractions; ability to solve basic algebraic equations. Job Type: Full-Time Bargaining Unit:  Confidential Support Specialists Salary Range: Class 5 - $22.66 - $30.90/hour - pending new contract settlement Benefits: Medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, employee assistance program, and 403b (tax sheltered annuity) employer match program - Benefits Site Osseo Area Schools offers: Meaningful and impactful work  Opportunities to grow professionally A variety of benefits Summer opportunities and more  Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:  Osseo Area School District ISD 279 is an Equal Opportunity, and veteran-friendly employer. Osseo Area School District ISD 279 ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability. Osseo Area School District is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the district and strongly encourages persons to apply who can strengthen our diversity. For more information, view the District’s Equal Opportunity and Prohibition Against Discrimination, Harassment and Violence Policy.  Veteran’s Preference: If you are an eligible veteran, please submit a legible copy of your DD214 with your application.  Accommodation: If you have a disability that requires an accommodation during the selection process, please email Human Resources at HR@district279.org or call 763-391-7007. Background Check Upon Conditional Offer:  Background checks are conducted upon receiving a conditional offer. Employees must complete a background check and are responsible for the background fee. A passing background is required.  Criminal convictions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.