Leave of Absence & HR Service Center Administrator

Position Summary

The Leave of Absence & HR Service Center Specialist is responsible for administering and coordinating employee leave programs while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and company policies. In addition to leave administration, this role provides support for day-to-day Human Resources Service Center operations, serves as a key resource for employee inquiries, and assists with onboarding and orientation activities. The Specialist serves as a primary point of contact for employees, managers, healthcare providers, and third-party administrators regarding leave requests, accommodations, HR policies, benefits, and employee lifecycle transactions. This position requires exceptional customer service, strong attention to detail, and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leave of Absence Administration

Administer all leave of absence programs, including:

• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• MAPFL (Massachusetts Paid Family Leave Act)
• Medical Leave of Absence
• Parental Leave
• Military Leave
• Personal Leave
• State-specific leave programs
• Accommodations

• Review leave requests and determine eligibility based on company policies and applicable laws.
• Communicate leave rights, responsibilities, required documentation, and timelines to employees and managers.
• Maintain accurate leave records and documentation within HRIS and case management systems.
• Monitor leave durations and proactively communicate important deadlines, extensions, and return-to-work requirements.
• Partner with payroll and benefits teams to ensure proper handling of pay, benefits deductions, and benefits continuation during leaves.
• Coordinate reasonable accommodation and interactive process discussions in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state regulations.
• Manage return-to-work processes and work restrictions.
• Work closely with third-party leave administrators, benefit vendors, and insurance carriers as needed.
• Provide guidance and training to managers and employees on leave policies and procedures.
• Prepare reports, metrics, and audits related to leave administration.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Identify opportunities to improve leave administration processes and employee experience.

New Hire Orientation & Onboarding

• Coordinate and facilitate new hire orientation sessions for employees.
• Present company policies, HR programs, benefits information, and other onboarding materials during orientation.
• Ensure completion of required onboarding documentation, including I-9 employment eligibility verification and new hire paperwork.
• Serve as a resource for new employees during onboarding and transition into the organization.
• Partner with hiring managers, Payroll, Benefits, IT, and other departments to ensure a seamless onboarding experience.
• Maintain and update orientation materials, presentations, and onboarding resources as needed.

HR Service Center Responsibilities

• Serve as a first point of contact for employees and managers regarding HR policies, procedures, benefits, payroll-related inquiries, and employment-related questions.
• Respond to employee inquiries in a timely, professional, and customer-focused manner.
• Process employee lifecycle transactions within HRIS systems, including new hires, transfers, status changes, organizational changes, and separations.
• Maintain employee records and ensure data integrity within HR systems.
• Support employment verification requests, personnel file requests, and related HR documentation.
• Assist employees with benefits enrollment questions and provide guidance regarding company benefit programs.
• Support annual HR initiatives such as open enrollment, employee communications, training programs, wellness programs, and compliance activities.
• Generate and maintain HR reports, metrics, and employee data as requested.
• Participate in continuous improvement efforts related to HR Service Center processes and employee experience.
• Assist with special HR projects and other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 2-5 years of Human Resources experience, preferably in leave administration, benefits, HR operations, or employee relations.
• Strong knowledge of: