Leave Management Specialist

About the role

The primary responsibility of this position is to administer leave management for the university, including workers' compensation, family and medical leave, and other applicable state and university leave programs. The role also involves collaborating with various stakeholders such as the North Carolina Industrial Commission, medical providers, and campus departments.

Responsibilities

• Administer leave management for a self-insured university by reviewing, analyzing, and managing all work-related accidents and injuries; determining compensability; monitoring medical treatment and benefit payments; and ensuring compliance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and university policies.
• Evaluate program needs and collaborate with the North Carolina Industrial Commission, North Carolina Office of State Human Resources, third-party workers' compensation administrators, medical providers, campus departments, and other external agencies.
• Develop, implement, and interpret leave management, Workers' Compensation, and Return-to-Work policies and procedures.
• Cook up the university's leave programs, including Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Voluntary Shared Leave, Disability Income Plan of North Carolina (DIP-NC), Paid Parental Leave, Military Leave, Bereavement Leave, Civil Leave, Family Illness Leave, Adverse Weather Leave, Workers' Compensation Leave, and other applicable state and university leave programs.
• Process Workers' Compensation and leave claims; monitor leave usage, including intermittent FMLA; determine eligibility for disability and leave benefits; and manage return-to-work certifications.
• Communicate with employees, supervisors, physicians, medical providers, third-party administrators, payroll, and other stakeholders to obtain and evaluate required documentation, coordinate benefits, and prepare payroll information for disability payments.
• Prepare, maintain, analyze, and submit required state, federal, university, and regulatory reports, claim documentation, correspondence, interrogatories, and other records to ensure compliance with Workers' Compensation, FMLA, disability, and leave management requirements.
• Interpret applicable laws, policies, regulations, and court rulings, and provide guidance to employees and supervisors throughout leave administration and the return-to-work process.
• Develop and deliver training programs on employee leave rights and responsibilities, Workers' Compensation, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Paid Parental Leave, and Supervisor Development to promote awareness, compliance and consistent administration of university leave programs.

Requirements

Graduation from a four year college or university; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be from appropriately accredited institutions.

Qualifications

• Requires working knowledge of North Carolina Workers' Compensation laws, the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the North Carolina Voluntary Shared Leave Program, Disability Income Plan of North Carolina (DIP-NC), Paid Parental Leave, and other applicable state and federal leave programs.
• Ability to learn, interpret, and apply state and federal regulations, university policies, and procedures related to leave administration and employee benefits.
• Must demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively and positively with employees, supervisors, campus departments, medical providers, third-party administrators, and other internal and external partners.
• Strong communication, organizational, and customer service skills, along with attention to detail when reviewing documentation, tracking leave usage, maintaining records, and ensuring compliance with program requirements.
• Ability to review Workers' Compensation claims, collecting and documenting relevant information, obtaining medical certifications, evaluating eligibility documentation, and supporting the administration of leave programs including Workers' Compensation, FMLA, Disability, Voluntary Shared Leave, and other approved university leave programs.
• Maintain confidentiality, provide guidance to employees and supervisors, and assist with required state, federal, and university reporting requirements.

Skills

• Working knowledge of North Carolina Workers' Compensation laws, the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the North Carolina Voluntary Shared Leave Program, Disability Income Plan of North Carolina (DIP-NC), Paid Parental Leave, and other applicable state and federal leave programs.
• Ability to learn, interpret, and apply state and federal regulations, university policies, and procedures related to leave administration and employee benefits.
• Collaborate effectively and positively with employees, supervisors, campus departments, medical providers, third-party administrators, and other internal and external partners.
• Strong communication, organizational, and customer service skills, along with attention to detail when reviewing documentation, tracking leave usage, maintaining records, and ensuring compliance with program requirements.
• Ability to review Workers' Compensation claims, collecting and documenting relevant information, obtaining medical certifications, evaluating eligibility documentation, and supporting the administration of leave programs including Workers' Compensation, FMLA, Disability, Voluntary Shared Leave, and other approved university leave programs.
• Maintain confidentiality, provide guidance to employees and supervisors, and assist with required state, federal, and university reporting requirements.

Benefits

Appalachian State University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Pay

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $45,230 - $51,026.

Schedule

The work schedule for this position is Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.