District Manager, Benefits

Position Number: 2015285P | Location: District Services | Department: District Human Resources | Full-time, 12 months per year

About the Role

Under the general direction of an administrator, manager, or designee, the District Manager, Benefits is responsible for the administration, coordination, and oversight of all employee leave of absence and workplace accommodation programs. The Manager ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws, collective bargaining agreements, and organizational policies, while delivering timely, accurate, and empathetic service to employees and managers. The District Manager, Benefits serves as the primary subject-matter expert (SME) and point of contact for complex leave and accommodation matters, partners closely with Payroll and HR colleagues, and provides training and guidance to supervisors and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Leaves of Absence Administration
  • Administers and manages all leave of absence programs, including but not limited to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), California Family Rights Act (CFRA), Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), workers' compensation, union-related leaves, and applicable local leave ordinances.
  • Reviews and processes leave requests, ensuring required documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with applicable laws, collective bargaining agreements, and organizational policies.
  • Communicates approvals, denials, extensions, and return-to-work (RTW) requirements to employees, supervisors, and leadership in a timely and professional manner.
  • Updates and maintains accurate leave records, monitors leave timelines, and prepares reports and audits as required.
  • Provides training and guidance to supervisors and leadership regarding leave rights, responsibilities, and procedures.
• Workplace Accommodations
  • Coordinates and oversees the reasonable accommodation process in compliance with the ADA, Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), and related regulations.
  • Leads and documents the interactive process with employees, managers, HR partners, and union representatives, as applicable, to identify and implement appropriate workplace accommodations.
  • Evaluates medical and non-medical documentation, partners with leadership to assess operational impact, and ensures accommodations are implemented consistently and in good faith.
  • Updates, maintains, and audits comprehensive and confidential records of accommodation requests and actions taken.
  • Provides training and consultation to supervisors and leadership regarding accommodation requirements and best practices.
• Collaboration and Communication
  • Develops and manages trusted partnerships with third-party administrators, vendors, and contractors to ensure high-quality, cost-effective services supporting leave, accommodation, and disability programs.
  • Serves as a central point of coordination and SME for leave and accommodation matters; responds to complex inquiries from employees, supervisors, union representatives, and leadership; ensures consistency, accuracy, and compliance across HR systems and processes.
  • Collaborates closely with Payroll, Benefits, Risk Management, and HR team members to ensure accurate pay continuation, benefits deductions, coordination with disability and workers' compensation programs, and timely return-to-work processing.
  • Designs and delivers training, presentations, employee education materials, and communications addressing changes that impact benefit plans, leaves, and accommodation requirements.
  • Communicates clearly and empathetically, particularly when addressing sensitive, complex, or high-risk situations.
  • Conducts regular case management meetings to update leadership, Human Resources Business Partners, and Risk Services regarding the status of open leave cases.
• Compliance and Risk Management
  • Receives, investigates, and responds to requests and complaints from District employees and students related to ADA violations and other compliance and leave matters; researches and evaluates cases; develops and recommends responses and determines appropriate resolutions in alignment with District policies, practices, and procedures; recommends corrective actions as needed; and provides guidance to employees regarding compliance requirements.
  • Reviews, verifies, and ensures all leave and accommodation practices comply with federal, state, and local laws, collective bargaining agreements, and internal policies.
  • Stays current on changes to employment laws and regulations; updates best practices and procedures accordingly.
  • Identifies compliance risks and recommends corrective actions or policy updates to mitigate exposure.
  • Ensures benefit, leave, and accommodation programs are administered accurately and in compliance with plan documents and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Process Improvement and Employee Experience
  • Reviews and analyzes market conditions, program structures, emerging trends, and cost data to evaluate the effectiveness of benefit programs and recommends enhancements or new offerings.
  • Evaluates existing leave and accommodation processes and recommends improvements to enhance efficiency, consistency, compliance, and the employee experience.
  • Develops and updates tools, templates, workflows, and guidance materials to support supervisors, employees, and HR partners.
  • Utilizes HRIS and leave management systems to track data, analyze trends, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Supervision and Staff Development
  • Supervises, trains, evaluates, and directs assigned management and classified personnel.
  • Conducts performance evaluations, provides coaching, and fosters professional growth.
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)
  • Supports the success of a diverse workforce and student population through interculturally competent and equity-minded policies, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
  • Provides training and participates in District and State-level committees.
• General and Administrative Responsibilities
  • Represents Human Resources on District and campus committees; serves as a subject matter expert (SME) and resource to participatory governance groups, including hiring committees and administrative councils.
  • May participate in labor negotiations and collective bargaining activities.
  • Performs other related duties to support the operational objectives of the Human Resources Department.

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Some flexibility, such as evenings and weekends, will be required to meet the needs of the department.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in human resources, benefits administration, or a related field, including at least one (1) year of experience administering leave of absence and workplace accommodation programs in compliance with federal and California employment laws.
• Experience working in a unionized environment and knowledge of collective bargaining agreements.
• Experience in a public sector or higher education setting is highly desirable.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of:
  • Federal laws and guidelines including but not limited to COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, USERRA, FMLA, CFRA, PDL, ADA, FEHA, workers' compensation, and applicable local leave laws.
  • Principles and practices of human resources management in public sector and higher education settings.
  • Strategies utilized in the administration of comprehensive leave of absence and workplace accommodation programs.
  • Terminology and documentation associated with leave of absence and workplace accommodation administration.
  • HR principles, laws, regulations, and best practices.
  • Federal and California employment laws, Education Code, Title 5, and regulations governing public education and collective bargaining.
  • Collective bargaining and contract interpretation.
  • Organizational development, classification and compensation systems, benefits administration, and employee evaluation processes.
  • Principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) and their application in employment practices.
  • Administrative procedures, policy development, and participatory/shared governance in a multi-campus academic environment.
  • Public agency budgeting, fiscal accountability, and personnel management practices.
  • Techniques for conducting investigations, hearings, and compliance reviews in a confidential and legally sound manner.
• Skills in:
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and documentation skills with exceptional attention to detail.
  • Facilitating collaborative decision-making and building consensus among diverse stakeholders.
  • Negotiating and resolving complex labor relations issues with employee associations and legal counsel.
  • Preparing and delivering clear, concise reports, proposals, and presentations to executive leadership and governing boards.
  • Managing multiple priorities, responding to critical incidents, and adapting to rapidly changing environments.
  • Strategic planning, project management, and analytical skills.
  • Using sound judgment, diplomacy, and discretion in handling sensitive personnel matters.
  • Applying emerging technologies and data-informed strategies to human resources operations.
• Ability to:
  • Develop leave of absence and workplace accommodation workflows, policies, and procedures.
  • Incorporate changes in regulations and provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of District-wide human resources functions.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulations and laws related to leaves and accommodations to ensure compliance with District policies and procedures.
  • Prepare concise and comprehensive reports related to the area of assignment.
  • Interpret, explain, and ensure compliance with laws, collective bargaining agreements, and district policies.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, and service excellence across campuses and departments.
  • Lead and develop high-performing teams aligned with institutional goals and values.
  • Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
  • Lead and inspire a diverse HR team.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels of the organization, including legal counsel, bargaining units, trustees, and external agencies.
  • Support the success of a diverse workforce and student body through equity-minded leadership and decision-making.
  • Demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff.