HR Specialist (Hybrid)

About the Role

Rise Incorporated is seeking a Human Resource Specialist – Leave & Compliance to support daily HR operations with a specialized focus on employee leave administration, workplace accommodations, workers' compensation, and employment compliance. The role manages leave cases from the initial request through return to work while ensuring accurate documentation, timely communication, and compliance with applicable laws and organizational policies. This position partners closely with employees, supervisors, HR, payroll, insurance carriers, healthcare providers, and other external partners.

The successful candidate will bring hands-on experience administering employee leaves, strong knowledge of FMLA, ADA accommodations, Minnesota Paid Leave, ESST, and workers' compensation, and the ability to manage sensitive cases with discretion and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR resource for employee leaves of absence and protected time away from work.
• Manage leave cases from initial request through return to work.
• Provide guidance on FMLA, Minnesota Paid Leave, ESST, ADA-related leave, parental leave, military leave, and other applicable leave programs.
• Coordinate leave administration, benefits continuation, and return-to-work planning with employees, leaders, payroll, and benefit providers.
• Serve as the primary HR resource for workplace accommodations and disability-related compliance.
• Facilitate the ADA interactive accommodation process, including reviewing requests, documentation, and potential accommodations.
• Partner with employees and leaders to identify and implement reasonable accommodations.
• Maintain confidential accommodation records.
• Serve as the primary HR contact for workplace injuries and workers' compensation claims.
• Coordinate injury reporting, claims administration, and communication with employees, leaders, insurance carriers, and medical providers.
• Manage return-to-work processes, including restrictions and modified-duty assignments when appropriate.
• Coordinate leave, accommodation, and benefit considerations related to workplace injuries.
• Support OSHA reporting, recordkeeping, and workplace safety compliance.
• Monitor federal, state, and local employment laws affecting leave, accommodations, workers' compensation, and workplace safety.
• Recommend updates to HR policies, procedures, and practices to maintain compliance.
• Develop training and resources for leaders on leave management, accommodations, workplace injuries, and return-to-work practices.
• Provide HR consultation to supervisors and support employee relations matters as assigned.
• Respond to employment-related questions in accordance with Rise policies and applicable employment laws.
• Participate in HR projects, policy development, compliance initiatives, audits, and organizational training.
• Collaborate with the HR team to promote consistent HR practices and a positive employee experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and four years of directly related professional experience.
• 3+ years of Human Resources experience.
• Demonstrated experience administering employee leaves of absence.
• Knowledge and experience with FMLA, ADA accommodations, Minnesota Paid Leave, ESST, workers' compensation, and workplace injury management.
• Experience independently managing complex leave and accommodation cases from initial request through return to work.
• Strong understanding of the interaction between leave laws, disability accommodations, workers' compensation, paid time off programs, and organizational policies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple cases, priorities, and regulatory deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive employee information professionally and discreetly.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate case documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.
• Specialized experience in leave of absence, disability, accommodation, or workers' compensation administration.
• Experience administering Minnesota Paid Leave and Minnesota ESST requirements.
• Experience managing complex ADA interactive processes and return-to-work cases.
• Experience in nonprofit, healthcare, human services, disability services, or a similarly regulated environment.
• Experience developing or delivering manager training related to employee leave, accommodations, workers' compensation, and workplace injury management.
• Master's degree in Human Resources or a related field.

Skills & Competencies

• Leave of absence administration
• FMLA compliance
• Minnesota Paid Leave
• Minnesota ESST
• ADA accommodations
• ADA interactive process
• Workers' compensation
• Workplace injury management
• Return-to-work coordination
• Employment law compliance
• HR policy administration
• Case management
• HR documentation
• Confidentiality and discretion
• Communication
• Organization and prioritization
• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving
• Manager consultation
• Employee relations
• Regulatory compliance
• Training and development

Work Arrangement & Schedule

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Location: Spring Lake Park, Minnesota, United States

Primary Office: Rise Admin Office in Fridley, Minnesota

Onsite Requirement: At least once per month and as needed.

Pay

Hourly Wage: $30.33–$35.08 per hour, depending on experience.

Benefits

• Medical insurance, with single employee coverage costing less than $90 per month.
• Dental insurance costing less than $17 per month.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k) with 100% vested employer match.
• Rise-sponsored Basic Life and AD&D insurance.
• Voluntary Life Insurance.
• Short-term disability insurance.
• Long-term disability insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Rise-sponsored training, including CPR and First Aid.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Paid Time Off starting at 16 days during the first year.
• 2 floating holidays.
• 48 hours of ESST time per year.
• Employee resource groups, including DEI, LGBTQ+, and recognition groups.
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)-eligible employer.

Additional Information

The role requires handling confidential employee and accommodation information and maintaining compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.

Rise Incorporated describes itself as a person-centered organization and welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. The organization states that it values and respects differences among team members and the people it supports.