Staff Associate - Benefits, Leave & Accommodations

STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Serve as the subject matter expert for employee leave of absence, benefits administration, accommodations, workers' compensation, and retirement programs. Administer FMLA/PFML and other leave processes, accommodation requests, benefits programs, and workers' compensation claims while ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Maintain accurate and confidential employee records, benefits files, databases, and documentation, and develop and update policies, procedures, and employee communications to support compliance and effective program administration. Serve as the primary resource for employees, managers, benefits vendors, and state agencies by providing guidance, training, and support regarding leave, benefits, accommodations, and related programs. Coordinate benefits and leave activities, including orientations, open enrollment, wellness programs, data transfers, and return-to-work processes, while demonstrating professionalism and Bristol's core values and performing other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as a subject matter expert and manage all employees leave of absence, benefits administration, and accommodation requests.
• Responsible for managing the worker's compensation program, including working with the Commonwealth to effectively administer program.
• Provide administration of mandatory and voluntary retirement plans.
• Maintain knowledge of all applicable leave and accommodation laws including the FMLA, ADA, and state and local laws.
• Draft and/or recommend revisions to relevant policies to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Maintain complete and accurate records of leave and accommodation requests in accordance with specified legal requirements and documentation of best practices.
• Develop and maintain materials for benefits orientations, open enrollment and summary plan descriptions and provide related training and support to employees.
• Serve as first point of contact for employees and benefit vendors/state benefit programs.
• Oversee maintenance of employee benefits files, maintain group benefits database and update employee payroll records.
• Handle the FMLA/PFML leave administration process from the employee's initial notice of the need for leave to the return to work. This includes gathering and completing all required paperwork, determining leave eligibility, designating leave as FMLA/PFML-qualifying, requesting medical certification as needed, and accounting for intermittent and reduced schedule leave use.
• Communicate with employees regarding their needs for leave and/or modified work schedules. Ensure that employees are aware of their responsibilities and of any documentation and notice required to qualify for and to take leave.
• Maintain reasonable communication with employees on leave to facilitate smooth and timely return to work; relays communication between employees and their managers during leave within reason.
• Advise managers and employees on the interaction of leave laws with paid time off, workers compensation and long-term disability benefits.
• Facilitate other leave requests, which may include accommodation requests under the ADA or worker's compensation.
• Administer other company time-off programs as assigned in accordance with internal policy, collective bargaining agreements and applicable laws.
• Coordinate transfer of data to external contacts for plan administration.
• Support the creation, management and/or administration of Health, Wellness or Perk programs.
• Document and maintain standard operating procedures for assigned benefits and leave processes.
• Preserve confidentiality of employee medical documentation and files.
• Demonstrate a sense of professionalism and consistently reflect Bristol's core values while interacting with members of the Bristol community.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of a High School Diploma
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in an HR environment and handling employee leaves and/or benefits.
  • *An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience shall be considered.
• Prior experience working with FMLA, PFML, ADA and other applicable laws.
• Demonstrated experience with project management software such as but not limited to, Asana, Monday.com, HubSpot.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 applications such as Excel, Word and Powerpoint.
• The ability to work effectively with a diverse student body, faculty, and staff with a commitment to equity practices.
• Prior experience with benefits contract language.
• Prior experience working with pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements, both adopted and pending, affecting employee benefits programs, including the ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, workers' compensation, Medicare, OBRA, and Social Security and DOL requirements.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Prior experience handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to use sound judgment and work independently as required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• Demonstrated experience within a higher education environment, preferably within a Massachusetts state college or university.
• Demonstrated experience in a collective bargaining environment.
• Demonstrated experience using computer software applications applicable to a higher education environment (e.g., Banner, Argos, Interview Exchange, or HR/CMS).
• Understanding of and commitment to the goals and values of a community college.
• Related human resources certifications, which may include but are not limited to SHRM-CP/SCP or PHR.
• Ability to communicate in a language in addition to English.

Additional Information:

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action:

Bristol Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and college policies. The College prohibits sexual harassment, including sexual violence. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or sexual violence shall be referred to the College's Title IX and Affirmative Action Officer, Johanna Bielawski at diversitytitleix@bristolcc.edu or 774.357.2681; the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination; the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Right.

To apply, visit http://bristolcc.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=204219