Leave of Absence Specialist
About Strategic Consulting Services
Strategic Consulting Services (SCS) provides specialized consulting and professional services to employers, state agencies, employees, and legal professionals across the areas of workplace disability, vocational rehabilitation, injury recovery, employment accommodations, and benefits program support. We help individuals navigate medical, functional, and disability-related barriers to employment while partnering with organizations to develop effective, compliant, and sustainable solutions.
Our multidisciplinary services include vocational rehabilitation and recovery, workers’ compensation consulting, ADA accommodations, ergonomic evaluations, leave and disability program support, specialized vocational assessments, life care planning, and expert consultation related to disability, workplace benefits, and return-to-work planning. Through individualized service, proactive case coordination, and collaboration with employers, employees, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders, we help facilitate recovery, support informed decision-making, and promote successful employment outcomes.
By combining specialized expertise with practical, person-centered solutions, SCS helps organizations improve program effectiveness, manage costs, navigate complex workplace and disability challenges, and ensure individuals receive appropriate support, benefits, and accommodations.
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Leave of Absence Specialist to support our technology client benefits team with U.S. leave and disability administration. This role will manage an assigned caseload, provide clear and empathetic employee support, and partner closely with an internal Benefits Specialist and the broader Benefits team on case coordination, escalations, and day‑to‑day program operations.
Candidates should have hands-on experience with federal and multi-state leave programs, state disability and paid family leave benefits, short-term and long-term disability, leave-related pay coordination, return-to-work processes, and workplace accommodations under the ADA, PWFA, and applicable state requirements. The ideal candidate can step in quickly, manage a high-volume caseload, communicate clearly with employees and internal partners, and escalate complex matters appropriately.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage assigned employee leave cases, including medical, family, parental, pregnancy‑related, military, personal, disability, workers’ compensation, and company‑provided leaves.
- Partner closely with the internal Benefits Specialist to ensure consistent case coordination, employee communication, and timely follow‑up.
- Apply working knowledge of FMLA, multi‑state leave laws, state disability and paid family leave programs, STD, LTD, workers’ compensation coordination, and company leave policies.
- Review case details to determine eligibility, required documentation, pay impacts, return‑to‑work requirements, and next steps.
- Support cases involving overlapping leave, disability, state benefits, workers’ compensation, accommodations, and company pay programs.
- Guide employees through eligibility, documentation, benefit coordination, extensions, leave exhaustion, and return‑to‑work processes.
- Coordinate with third‑party administrators, HR, Payroll, Legal, managers, and internal Benefits partners to ensure timely case resolution.
- Monitor case status, maintain accurate records, complete timely follow‑up, and escalate complex or higher‑risk matters appropriately.
- Identify leave and return‑to‑work situations that may require accommodation review under the ADA, PWFA, or applicable state requirements.
- Provide clear, professional, and empathetic support while maintaining confidentiality and assisting with reporting, audits, communications, and process documentation.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum two years of hands‑on leave of absence, disability, or related HR program administration experience.
- Working knowledge of FMLA, multi‑state leave laws, state disability and paid family leave programs, STD, LTD, workers’ compensation coordination, and company‑provided leaves.
- Experience managing cases involving overlapping leave, disability, state benefits, workers’ compensation, accommodations, and company pay programs.
- Experience managing a high‑volume caseload and coordinating with third‑party leave or disability administrators.
- Working knowledge of ADA, PWFA, and workplace accommodation processes.
- Strong critical thinking, judgment, organization, and problem‑solving skills.
- Ability to clearly explain leave, disability, pay, documentation, and return‑to‑work requirements.
- Strong attention to detail, accurate documentation, timely follow‑up, and appropriate escalation.
- Ability to work collaboratively, handle confidential information with discretion, and quickly learn company policies, systems, and vendor processes.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience administering California and other state‑specific leave and benefit programs.
- Experience with leave‑related payroll, disability benefit coordination, and return‑to‑work transitions.
- Experience using Workday, ServiceNow, or similar HR/case‑management systems.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Benefits & Compensation
This contract position is offered at an hourly rate of $40–$45 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications. This role is 30‑hours a week. This role is eligible for additional health benefits and company 401k match. The role is based in the US but is performed remote, there is no expected travel.