Benefits Administrator- Leaves

Company Description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 55 schools serving more than 21,000 students in six cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, Rochester, and Troy. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond. 

Uncommon Schools in Brooklyn currently manages twenty four schools serving students in grades K through 12. We believe in strong authentic relationships between teachers and students, supported by effective school systems and an engaging instructional model that enables students to flourish academically and personally. Our students in Brooklyn have an impressive 99% college acceptance rate.

Job Description

The Leaves Administrator Associate directly supports the Senior Benefits Manager and is responsible for assisting with the administration of primarily leave of absence, but also short- and long-term disability, and any ad hoc projects. They will serve as a leaves specialist when engaging with employees and school leaders. They will also collaborate with various teams as it relates to benefits data.

Responsibilities include

• Ensure accurate tracking and handling of all aspects of employee leave of absence and accommodation cases from beginning to end, including maintaining internal tracking systems and Uncommon’s HRIS to ensure leaves management and the interactive process are aligned with regulatory requirements and company policies.
• Contributes to, and in some cases leads, leaves-related special projects, 
• Maintains communication with employees on leave to facilitate smooth and timely return to work
• Ensures clear communication with managers regarding their direct report’s leave, including return to work notification
• Full cycle management of the leave administration process including parental, FMLA, medical, workers compensation, accomodations, and military from initial notice of the need for a leave to the return to work
• Advises managers and employees on the interaction of leave laws and internal leave policy with paid time off, workers compensation, and short-term and long-term disability benefits.
• Recommends revisions to company leave policies to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Maintains knowledge of all applicable leave and accommodation laws including the FMLA, ADA, and state and local laws.
• Collaborates with payroll to ensure accurate pay to staff on leave
• Work in partnership with third party administrator to process leave
• Preserve confidentiality of employee medical documentation

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of the leave requirements and other legal protections afforded by the FMLA, ADA, and other applicable laws.
• Ideally, some experience managing leaves across multiple municipalities with varying eligibility requirements and benefits
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrable track record of speaking and writing clearly and persuasively
• Strong organization, time management, and follow-up skills; ability to prioritize the most critical work
• Focus on the employees we serve and an ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituents
• Outstanding judgment, sensitivity and high discretion
• Solid attention to detail and ability to project manage
• Some knowledge of employment and leave laws in New York, New Jersey and/or Massachusetts
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google suite of products
• Proficient in, or exposure to, ADP and/or Workday
• Willing to travel to our schools throughout our six regions

Preferred

• Background working with entrepreneurial organizations is strongly preferred
• Interest in education/charter schools a plus
• 2-3 years of HR experience
• 2-3 years of leaves experience preferred

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required
• SHRM certification preferred

Additional Information

Uncommon Schools offers salaries commensurate with experience and a very generous benefits and vacation package. All staff members receive extensive professional development, and are equipped with a laptop computer and all necessary supplies.

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. At the same time, we work to ensure an inclusive community through creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students.  As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.