Staff Associate Benefits, Leave & Accommodations

Bristol Community College is an exciting place to work learn and grow! Bristol is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment with a rich diversity of beliefs cultures languages abilities and lifestyles. Committed to enriching its educational experience through a supportive community Bristol actively encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply and achieve our vision of advancing a vibrant diverse community through education learner by learner. If you share a passion for helping students succeed and enjoy working in a community of innovative inclusive and collaborative colleagues Bristol is the place for you!

As a Commonwealth of Massachusetts employer Bristol offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package including health dental life long-term disability retirement and paid time off (vacation personal sick and holiday pay). We also offer tuition waiver discounts at the Commonwealths public higher education institutions. More information can be found on our Benefits website.

POSITION TITLE: Staff Associate -Benefits Leave & Accommodations
PRIMARY LOCATION: Fall River MA
REPORTS TO: Director Employee Experience
POSITION TYPE: This is a full-time non-unit position with benefits.
SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm onsite
SALARY: $65742.40 - $69071.66 - Actualsalarycommensurate with qualifications and experience.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Serve as the subject matter expert for employee leave of absence benefits administration accommodations workers compensation and retirement programs. Administer FMLA/PFML and other leave processes accommodation requests benefits programs and workers compensation claims while ensuring compliance with applicable federal state and local laws. Maintain accurate and confidential employee records benefits files databases and documentation and develop and update policies procedures and employee communications to support compliance and effective program administration. Serve as the primary resource for employees managers benefits vendors and state agencies by providing guidance training and support regarding leave benefits accommodations and related programs. Coordinate benefits and leave activities including orientations open enrollment wellness programs data transfers and return-to-work processes while demonstrating professionalism and Bristols core values and performing other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as a subject matter expert and manage all employees leave of absence benefits administration and accommodation requests.
• Responsible for managing the workers compensation program including working with the Commonwealth to effectively administer program.
• Provide administration of mandatory and voluntary retirement plans.
• Maintain knowledge of all applicable leave and accommodation laws including the FMLA ADA and state and local laws.
• Draft and/or recommend revisions to relevant policies to ensure compliance with federal state and local laws and regulations.
• Maintain complete and accurate records of leave and accommodation requests in accordance with specified legal requirements and documentation of best practices.
• Develop and maintain materials for benefits orientations open enrollment and summary plan descriptions and provide related training and support to employees.
• Serve as first point of contact for employees and benefit vendors/state benefit programs.
• Oversee maintenance of employee benefits files maintain group benefits database and update employee payroll records.
• Handle the FMLA/PFML leave administration process from the employees initial notice of the need for leave to the return to work. This includes gathering and completing all required paperwork determining leave eligibility designating leave as FMLA/PFML-qualifying requesting medical certification as needed and accounting for intermittent and reduced schedule leave use.
• Communicate with employees regarding their needs for leave and/or modified work schedules. Ensure that employees are aware of their responsibilities and of any documentation and notice required to qualify for and to take leave.
• Maintain reasonable communication with employees on leave to facilitate smooth and timely return to work; relays communication between employees and their managers during leave within reason.
• Advise managers and employees on the interaction of leave laws with paid time off workers compensation and long-term disability benefits.
• Facilitate other leave requests which may include accommodation requests under the ADA or workers compensation.
• Administer other company time-off programs as assigned in accordance with internal policy collective bargaining agreements and applicable laws.
• Coordinate transfer of data to external contacts for plan administration.
• Support the creation management and/or administration of Health Wellness or Perk programs.
• Document and maintain standard operating procedures for assigned benefits and leave processes.
• Preserve confidentiality of employee medical documentation and files.
• Demonstrate a sense of professionalism and consistently reflect Bristols core values while interacting with members of the Bristol community.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of a High School Diploma
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in an HR environment and handling employee leaves and/or benefits.
  • *An equivalent combination of education training and experience shall be considered.
• Prior experience working with FMLA PFML ADA and other applicable laws.
• Demonstrated experience with project management software such as but not limited to Asana HubSpot.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 applications such as Excel Word and Powerpoint.
• The ability to work effectively with a diverse student body faculty and staff with a commitment to equity practices.
• Prior experience with benefits contract language.
• Prior experience working with pertinent federal and state regulations filing and compliance requirements both adopted and pending affecting employee benefits programs including the ACA ERISA COBRA FMLA ADA Section 125 workers compensation Medicare OBRA and Social Security and DOL requirements.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Prior experience handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to use sound judgment and work independently as required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors Degree preferred.
• Demonstrated experience within a higher education environment preferably within a Massachusetts state college or university.
• Demonstrated experience in a collective bargaining environment.
• Demonstrated experience using computer software applications applicable to a higher education environment (e.g. Banner Argos Interview Exchange or HR/CMS).
• Understanding of and commitment to the goals and values of a community college.
• Related human resources certifications which may include but are not limited to SHRM-CP/SCP or PHR.
• Ability to communicate in a language in addition to English.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action:

Bristol Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin sex disability religion age veteran or military status genetic information gender identity or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable statutes and college policies. The College prohibits sexual harassment including sexual violence. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination harassment retaliation or sexual violence shall be referred to the Colleges Title IX and Affirmative Action Officer Johanna Bielawski at or 774.357.2681; the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination; the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Educations Office for Civil Right.

TO APPLY: Please complete our online application by clicking on the Apply button. The position will be open until filled. Review of applications will begin 10 calendar days from the posting date.

REQUIREMENTS TO COMPLETE APPLICATION PROCESS:

1) A completed Bristol Community College Employment Application.

2) A current resume/curriculum vitae.

All candidates must have legal authorization to work in the United States. Bristol Community College is an institution that does not sponsor work authorization.

A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted for all positions.

The college will independently verify education credentials as provided on the application. For certain positions that require a college degree the hired candidate must supply official transcripts upon hire. Transcripts must include your name and degrees conferred.