Leave of Absence Specialist 3

Payroll Title: LEAVE OF ABSENCE SPECIALIST 3

Job Code: 8676

Job Open Date: 12/9/2024

Application Review Begins: 12/27/2024

Department Code (Name): PERS (HUMAN RESOURCES)

Percentage of Time: 100%

Union Code (Name): 99

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: Grade 21

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $69,500 - $88,062/year. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $69,500 to $123,500/year.

Work Location: Student Affairs & Admin Svs - 3101

Working Days and Hours: M-F; 8-5

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: Hybrid Preferred (Both UC & Non-UC locations), Remote considered.

Special Instructions:
For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

Department Marketing Statement:
The Department of Human Resources is dedicated to providing exemplary customer service in support of teaching, research and the public service mission of UCSB. We are committed to forming strategic partnerships within the UCSB community that create a work environment designed to attract, develop and retain the best qualified people. The department has a staff of 30+ employees and is made up of the following units: Compensation and Classification, Employee Engagement, Employee and Labor Relations, Employee Services (academic and staff assistance program, leave administration, healthcare facilitation, work/life resources, workplace accommodations), Talent Acquisition/Training and Development, UCPath Position Control/Workforce Administration, and HR office operations.

Benefits of Belonging:
Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary of Job Duties:
The Leave of Absence Specialist manages, plans and administers the leave processes for staff. Participates in the ongoing development of centralized leave services within Human Resources. Utilizes a case management system to counsel employees and supervisors/managers on a wide range of leave entitlements, including but not limited to, medical and pregnancy leaves, and the available options to continue health and welfare benefits. Meets and collaborates with other HR representatives and campus representatives to manage moderate to complex disability cases. Assists with designing and conducting workshops for employees and supervisors/managers on leave policies and processes including applicable state and federal laws, such as Family Medical Leave (FML) and California Family Rights Act (CFRA), pregnancy disability and union contracts. Creates and maintains web based educational material related to leave policies and processes. #LI-KA1

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in related area and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.

2-5 years experience working with FMLA, CFRA, PFL, PDL.

Ability to handle difficult and complicated issues with professionalism and sound judgement.

Ability to build relationships, collaborate and problem solve across all levels of the organization.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite.

Demonstrated ability to successfully work with diverse populations.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working in higher education environment.

Experience working with PeopleSoft applications.

Knowledge of UC policy and union contracts.

Bi-lingual English/Spanish.

Working knowledge of rules and regulations affecting employee benefit programs.

Presentation skills, and experience with case management software.

Special Conditions of Employment:

Satisfactory criminal history background check
UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegation or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:
70% Counseling/Case Management - Utilizing a comprehensive understanding of UC leave policies including federal and state laws such as Family Medical Leave, California Family Rights Act, Pregnancy Disability and union contracts, provides guidance and advice to employees and supervisors/managers. Uses professional benefits and leave concepts and a broad knowledge of University policies and procedures to independently manage through a case management system a wide range of leave of absence cases. Enters and updates leave of absences timely in the payroll system to ensure that employees are paid correctly. Regularly works on complex cases where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. Exercises judgment in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. Counsels employees on the options available to continue health and welfare benefits and premium costs while on a leave of absence. Participates as a subject matter expert in collaborative case management meetings involving other areas of HR and all levels of the organization. Acts as a liaison between employee and UCPath and vendors to resolve pay, accrual, benefits coverage and premium issues.

25% Leave Program Administration - Manages, plans and administers the leave entitlement procedures for staff. Routinely collaborates with UCPath Service Center, other HR professionals and other representatives across the organization to address issues of a diverse scope. Develops solid relationships with third party vendors to ensure that service level agreements are followed and addresses gaps as they arise. Participates in the ongoing development of centralized leave administration operating procedures. Analyzes a variety of factors in making process recommendations to ensure efficiency and compliance with applicable laws, UC policies and union contracts. Utilizing a case management system, provides a variety of leave of absence data upon request. Significantly contributes to the design and delivery of workshops for staff, makes recommendations for content and participates in training supervisors and managers on leave policies including state and federal laws, University policy and union contracts. Creates and maintains web based educational material related to leave policies and processes. Gathers and analyzes data in determining content for training. Provides data entry back up support to the Catastrophic Leave Sharing Program in the absence of other staff.

5% Employee Services Administration - In collaboration with other Employee Services professionals, develops and maintains cross functional programs, and makes employee referrals for services or activities. Ensures information presented is up to date and makes changes as needed. May work on special projects in support of the Employee Services Unit. Other duties as assigned.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Satisfactory criminal history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

UC Vaccination Programs Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs.

As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals** must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information, please visit:

* UC Santa Barbara COVID-19 Information - https://www.ucsb.edu/COVID-19-information

* University of California Policy on Vaccinations - With Interim Revisions - https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

*Note: The Policy on Vaccination Programs - With Interim Revisions was updated effective August 16, 2023. A systemwide review of this policy will take place in Fall 2023 with an expected issuance/effective date in early 2024.

**Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement:

UC Santa Barbara is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20.

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

Reasonable Accommodations:

The University of California endeavors to make https://jobs.ucsb.edu accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Katherine Abad in Human Resources at 805-893-4664 or email katherine.abad@hr.ucsb.edu. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

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