Leave and Benefit Specialist

R10039980 Leave and Benefit Specialist (Open) Location: Long Beach, CA - Management - West BSC How will you CONTRIBUTE and GROW? Target Annual Salary: $90,000 - $115,000 Hybrid Work Schedule The Leave and Benefits Specialist is responsible for leave of absence administration and assistance with employee benefits for the West Division. The role is the subject matter expertise (SME)of the Company Health & Welfare plans, for the West Division of Airgas. This includes administering all Family and Medical Leave Act leaves of absences, military leave, other statutory leave entitlements, leaves of absence detailed in collective bargaining agreements, and all leaves of absence approved as part of an Airgas policy (e.g., bereavement leave, child birth benefit, paid parental leave). Compliance responsibilities include, but are not limited to, determining when to run FMLA leave concurrently with absences caused by a workplace injury or illness (workers compensation), administering extended medical leaves of absence under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and ensuring compliance with all related terms and requirements of Airgas' collective bargaining agreements. This position will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the plans and processes are administered and coordinated with the proper handoffs, and tracked, measured, and monitored for continuous improvement and compliance. This position is also the primary liaison with the Airgas Benefits team to include partnership with the Divisional and Regional HR teams. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Coordinates FMLA and absence management for Airgas’s West Division. Manages the leave administration process from the employee’s initial notice of the need for leave to the return to work Works with HR Directors and Managers, field managers and associates to manage all leave of absence requests, including disability paperwork: occupational and non-occupational leaves, FMLA, state specific leaves and military. Effectively interpret FMLA and ADA implications as they relate to leaves of absences/disabilities and involve the appropriate internal resources to ensure the consistent application of policy and compliance requirements. Counsels the business and associates regarding leaves of absence including explaining leave policies, coordination of paperwork and tracking. Partners with Payroll Specialists and HR Operations regarding the tracking of leave and HRIS recordkeeping. Keeps current with Collective Bargaining Agreements and their applicability to leave practices. Considered the Benefits subject-matter expert (SME) informing and guiding all West Division managers/employees on a full range of qualified and nonqualified benefit plans. Leads effort to document and standardize benefits processes and recordkeeping. Establishes Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) required for process improvements of the benefits function. Documents, maintains, and communicates all administrative procedures for benefit processes. Supports the West Division’s annual benefits open enrollment process including presentation of materials to associates. Responsible for implementation and execution of Wellness initiatives for Airgas’s West Division. Lead all initiatives designed to encourage wellness in our associate population. Hybrid schedule, 3 days in office and 2 days work from home. ________________________ Are you a MATCH? Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management is preferred. Preferred to hold HR Certification from HRCI or SHRM. Required Length & Type of Experience: Seven to Ten years in a human resource management role. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA’s): Experience working in either a multi-site and multi-state retail or manufacturing industry. Knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, regulations, policies and procedures. Proficient in Workday and various online systems. Intermediate skills operating a computer in a Google based environment is recommended. Excellent oral and written communication skills; well organized; creative problem solving; strong service orientation; strong interpersonal skills and ability to influence, work independently and as part of a team. Must be able to excel in a deadline oriented environment and demonstrate a high level of competence in organizing and prioritizing multiple work assignments. Ability to deal effectively with a diversity of individuals at all organizational levels. _________________________ Your differences enhance our performance At Airgas, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability or any other protected characteristic. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world. _________________________ Equal Employment Opportunity Information We are an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Please click here to view the EEO Know Your Rights poster and here to view the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination poster. Airgas, an Air Liquide Company invites any applicant and/or employee to review the Company’s written Affirmative Action Plan or Policy Statement. This plan or policy statement is available for inspection upon request. Airgas, an Air Liquide Company and its group of companies does not discriminate against qualified applicants with disabilities and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to the known disabilities of such individuals so as to ensure equal access to benefits and privileges of employment. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact us by email at us-accommodationrequest@airgas.com. _________________________ California Privacy Notice Airgas, an Air Liquide company, is a leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods and related products; one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products. Through the passion and diversity of its 18,000 associates, Airgas fosters a culture of safety, customer success, sustainability and innovation. Airgas associates are empowered to share ideas, take initiative and make decisions. Airgas is a subsidiary of Air Liquide, a world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health. Air Liquide is present in 78 countries with approximately 64,500 associates globally. Join us for a stimulating experience: you’ll find a world of learning and development opportunities where inventiveness is at the heart of what we do, in an open, collaborative and respectful environment.