Human Resources Specialist

Full-time, hybrid position based in Seattle, WA (515 3rd Ave). Office days with weekends off.

About DESC

Recognized nationally as an innovator and leader in developing solutions to homelessness, DESC is a social services organization, supportive housing operator, and licensed behavioral health treatment provider focused on meeting the needs of people experiencing long-term homelessness and living with complex behavioral health and other medical conditions. Approximately 3,000 people are actively receiving services from DESC at any given point in time.

Our vision is a community where all people are shown compassion, treated with dignity, and everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. DESC operates five shelter/emergency housing programs, 19 permanent supportive housing facilities with over 1,750 units, several hundred additional scattered site apartments, and a range of behavioral health services including outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment, residential crisis stabilization, street outreach, mobile crisis response, and treatment for opioid use disorder.

Responsibilities

• Tracks and documents employee medical leaves of absence and other FMLA or agency-approved leaves, including preparing and sending initial information packets, following up on required forms, and tracking/data entry for FMLA/medical leave attendance.
• Coordinates regular meetings with the HR Director, HR Manager, and other agency managers to discuss the status of employees on leave.
• Assists supervisors and the payroll manager with timesheets for employees on leave to ensure accurate data entry and compliance with agency policy.
• Communicates regularly with physicians and nurses to obtain documentation and track the progress of employees managing disabilities, work-related injuries, or on leave.
• Coordinates the interactive agency accommodation process with employees and supervisors.
• Maintains records on all accommodations (short-term and continuous) and produces reports as needed.
• Maintains employee medical files and records.
• Provides guidance, interpretation, and consultation for managers on complex leave issues, including FMLA, short/long-term disability, leave as an accommodation under the ADA, and other types of leave.
• Works closely with managers to resolve FMLA issues and identify patterns of absence that may need investigation.
• Designs and delivers training presentations and resources for managers and departments on FMLA, disability, leave of absence, and related topics.
• Participates in regular meetings with departments and HR Business Partners to discuss and resolve department-specific leave issues and trends.
• Provides input to improve FML and LOA processes and procedures based on system and administration needs.
• Upon receipt of LTD claim, verifies employee portions, gathers necessary data (job description, W-2, payroll data for 12 months, STD records/approval, and supporting documentation of LTD enrollment and deductions), and completes UNUM Employer Statement.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending in-house and external training programs as needed.
• Provides backup support for benefits administration from start to finish.
• Participates in HRIS data entry and maintenance, including tracking positions, new hires and terminations, payroll status changes, performance evaluations, and training records.
• Processes standard employment verifications according to department protocols.
• Acts as central liaison for the Human Resources Department, including serving as a resource for HR Assistants, supervisors, and staff.
• Maintains HR office records (electronic and paper) and integrates software (spreadsheet, database, word processing) to generate documents, reports, and forms.
• Conducts background checks as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the HR Director.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or equivalent; relevant experience or a combination of education and work experience may substitute for the degree.
• 1 year of relevant experience in general human resources.
• Knowledge of personnel principles, benefits administration, personnel files and records management, and effective customer service practices.
• Understanding of HR practices and principles, and all applicable employment, payroll, benefits, health, and safety laws and regulations in the U.S.
• Strong computer skills, including monitoring and maintaining confidentiality of HR databases, files, and reports.
• Ability to assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands, and handle them concurrently.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with coworkers and others.
• Ability to deal with agitated or angry individuals and resolve conflict effectively.
• Appropriate safeguarding and handling of confidential and proprietary information.
• Demonstrated respect for diversity and commitment to developing multicultural competency and sensitivity.
• Alignment with DESC’s philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs, and consideration and respect for clients.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Standing for long periods, climbing stairs, sitting, and communicating with other employees.
• Lifting and carrying items weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Operating computer hardware systems.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Benefits

• Medical insurance (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage).
• Dental, life, and long-term disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• ORCA card subsidy.
• Paid Time Off (34 days per year).
• Retirement plan.

Pay

$73,164.00 - $82,797.12 per year.