Are you looking for a public service career with purpose? The Leaves and Benefits Specialist plays a crucial role in supporting the well-being of first responders and professional staff at Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue.
This growth-oriented position routinely performs a variety of professional technical duties and advanced administrative duties supporting human resources functions, including benefits, leaves, accommodations, and HRIS transactions. The Leaves and Benefits Specialist sits within a 14-member Organizational Health Division and reports directly to one of two HR Managers.
The Leaves and Benefits Specialist position is internally classified as a Human Resources Technician.
Our ideal candidate possesses a strong foundation in leaves and benefits. They demonstrate curiosity and a desire to expand their knowledge into other human resources disciplines. Comfortable with a variety of tasks, they thrive in dynamic environments and are eager to learn and grow as this position evolves.
More about what the ideal candidate brings to the team and information on our benefits package can be found in this recruitment flyer.
The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following duties and responsibilities:
LEAVES: Processes workers’ compensation claims and ADA accommodation requests from beginning to end, including employee and management communication, claim submission processing, and management of the claim within appropriate software systems through the individuals return to work; interactive process with employees, their medical provider(s), and supervisors; and the facilitation of required documentation to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws as well as District policies and practices. Replies to inquiries from the District’s worker’s compensation insurer (SAIF) for time and attendance reports for injured employees performing modified duty. Processes 801 injury reports with workers’ compensation insurer and completes OSHA log and compliance reporting. Processes and files Employer At Injury Program (EAIP) requests for wage reimbursement and other EAIP workers’ compensation benefits. Responds to inquiries from the District’s absence management vendor regarding employee Paid Leave Oregon, OFLA, and/or FMLA leave requests. Coordinates the employee’s return-to-work process with the District’s absence management vendor and Occupational Health and Wellness (OHW). Assists employees with requests for donated leave, completes applicable spreadsheet, and coordinates with payroll. Works with employees, Training, Finance, OHW, Operations, SAIF, District’s absence management vendor, Union HealthTrust, and Telestaff administrators to coordinate administrative aspects of all leaves, including modified duty assignments, associated hours tracking and reporting, records, and return-to-work process.
BENEFITS: Provides various advanced technical and administrative support to the benefits function, including presenting benefit information at new employee orientation and employee departure meetings; responding to benefit questions; processing enrollment, life event change forms, and COBRA/ retirement benefits; troubleshooting employee and retiree benefit coverage and vendor billing issues; and coordinating the non-union’s annual open enrollment process. Coordinates benefit marketing events, including overseeing the tasks associated with the completion of the event. Provides subject matter expertise in the area of preventative health and wellness benefits, including financial wellness, to the development of activities and promotional materials for the District’s wellness program.
HRIS TRANSACTIONS: Under the direction of the Sr. HR Data Analyst, serves as primary data entry into HRIS system and other department software programs. Reviews, clarifies, and maintains supporting documentation for personnel actions. Determines and prepares HRIS transactions associated with each personnel action, including researching prior practices, the working agreement, and civil service rules. Recommends new/revised auditing practices to improve quality and accuracy of HR processes.
OTHER FUNCTIONAL AREAS: Performs complex work within other functional areas of human resources as assigned, including the functional areas of talent acquisition, classification, compensation, learning and development, performance management, policy/procedure revision, personnel records management, organizational development, employee engagement, and employee separation. Conducts research and analyzes data through a variety of sources.
Additional duties and functions are found on the job description.
The education and experience minimum requirements below are those typically required for performing the job functions (unless specifically noted to be preferred). Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Education
Associate degree in business administration, business management, or related field.
Certifications & Licensures
Human resources certification (e.g., CEBS, PHR, SHRM-CP, etc.).
Experience
Three years of experience in a human resources business unit with one year reviewing, tracking, and processing workers’ compensation, FMLA, and ADA accommodation requests and six months providing advanced technical and administrative support to the benefits function.
Please see the job description for additional information, including required competencies and job characteristics.
Consideration of candidates will begin immediately and the position may close without notice when a sufficient number of qualified candidates are received.
Compensation
The annual salary range within a step system for this position is $68,028 – $92,016. The starting pay assignment, based on a candidate’s bona fide factor analysis in accordance with the District’s pay equity system and the Oregon Equal Pay Act, would be no higher than $81,564 per year.
TVF&R evaluates each applicant in regard to meeting minimum qualifications as well as preferred qualifications based exclusively on information provided on the job application, including work history and responses to supplemental questions. This information is important for selection as well as starting pay assignment. Please be sure to thoroughly complete the application to ensure our subject matter experts can appropriately evaluate your experience and other qualifications.
Veteran’s Preference
It is the District’s policy to provide eligible veterans with preference as required by law. Applicants must provide certification of eligibility for entitlement to the preference (e.g. DD-214 long form clearly showing discharge status) with the application submission by the closing date of the posting.
Work Location
The location for this position is the Command and Business Operations Center, located in Tigard, OR.
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue strives to provide exceptional internal and external customer service. To ensure a collaborative and supportive environment with both the public we serve and our coworkers, employees predominantly perform their work on-site at the assigned work location.
TVF&R is an equal employment opportunity employer and seeks to attract a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve in order to deliver safe, professional, and high-performance service.