Benefits Specialist - II* - Opportunity to Make a Difference

Location: Hybrid 3 days a week onsite at FC or Raleigh and two days remote.
Manager is also willing to consider 100% remote candidates.

About the Team
The global Employee Relations (ER) team is a function within the HR Department. Our purpose is to uphold Client s commitment to providing a fair, safe, and compliant work environment by embedding these values in the company s policies and practices and resolving employee concerns when they arise. We do this by fostering a fair, safe, and inclusive culture; serving as a thought leader for change; and building organizational capability by empowering employees, managers and leaders. Our team leverages our experience, expertise, and organizational awareness to act as a credible, trusted advisor and thought partner to HR and business leaders across the organization. We strive to enhance our capabilities and improve our processes and look forward to adding new expertise and experience to our growing team.

About the Role
The Accommodations Specialist is primarily responsible for managing employee, applicant, and pre-hire requests for reasonable accommodations, including escalations from a third-party administrator. The Accommodations Specialist facilitates the interactive process, working closely with Human Resources, Legal, Risk Management, Leave and Exit Management, Benefits, Payroll, and third-party administrators. The Accommodations Specialist coordinates requests and communicates with employees and management regarding short and long-term reasonable accommodations. This role will manage cases, including third-party administrator escalations, through all phases of the interactive process in accordance with state and federal law (e.g., the Americans with Disabilities Act, California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and the Civil Rights Act), as well as company policies. It will also support the design and implementation of standardized policies and practices that are compliant, efficient, and deliver an excellent employee service.

Job Duties
" Performs intake interviews to Product foundational understanding of individual needs and evaluates medical certification received to determine eligibility
" Works with individuals to determine reasonable accommodations needed to perform essential job functions or compete for a vacancy
" Performs timely and comprehensive end-to-end case management by engaging in the interactive process with applicants and employees seeking reasonable accommodations based on disability, medical condition, and religious beliefs and their managers
" Conducts in person and virtual meetings with employees, managers, and cross-functional stakeholders
" Educates employees, managers, Human Resource partners, and other stakeholders regarding the interactive process
" Documents the interactions associated with requests for reasonable accommodations, the interactive process and communicates accommodation outcomes to appropriate parties
" Analyzes the reasonableness and effectiveness of accommodations
" Explores and evaluates requested accommodations aProductst essential job functions and restrictions/limitations and/or observance of religious beliefs of practices and recommends alternative accommodations as needed
" Manages medical certifications and seeks clarification as needed
" Creates and amends individual accommodations plans and strategies as needed
" Monitors temporary and ongoing accommodations with defined check points and end dates based on case strategy and processes
" Coordinates with employees, managers, HR partners, Legal, Benefits, Payroll, third-party administrators, etc. to resolve issues related to reasonable accommodations
" Identifies and educates employees in 1:1 consultation about available programs and services
" Facilitate the interactive process and collaborate with other functions in the implementation of the accommodation as needed, which may include Benefits, Leave and Exit Management, Payroll, Facilities, Information Technology, and third-party vendors, etc.
" Facilitates arrangements and documents process for job reassignments if no reasonable accommodations can be made in the current role
" Maintains information in case management system to track and ensure accurate and timely case management
" Maintains confidentiality of employee and applicant records, as applicable
" Other duties as assigned

Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge
" Full knowledge and proficient application of California and federal laws and regulations regarding reasonable accommodations based on disability, medical condition, and religious beliefs
" Knowledge and understanding of ADA regulations, HIPAA and related Federal and State privacy laws and regulations, and guidelines and standards as applicable to a workplace setting
" Effective collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders using strong verbal and written communication skills
" Ability to assess and interpret individual employee/applicant needs and to make appropriate referrals to internal or external sources
" Ability to use independent judgment to manage and impart confidential and sensitive employee information
" Strong organizational, negotiation, critical thinking, analytical, problem-solving, and customer service skills
" Ability to apply principles of critical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and propose solutions
" Ability to perform in a fast-paced, deadline-intensive environment and effectively manage a high volume of work with strong attention to detail
" Ability to create and maintain professional relationships within all levels of the organization
" Ability to work effectively in a team environment and perform tasks independently under general direction
" Ability to communicate with and relate to individuals of diverse disabilities and backgrounds
" Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports
" Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Excel, ServiceNow, and Workday

Qualifications and Experience
" Bachelor's degree in a directly related field and a minimum of 4 years of professional experience with a minimum of 2 years experience managing leaves of absence and reasonable accommodations
o 4 years experience managing leaves of absence and reasonable accommodations preferred
" Certified Professional in Disability Management (CPDM) certification, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certification (CRC), Vocational Rehabilitation certification, other related HR certification, and/or advanced degree preferred
" Relevant experience managing employee requests for reasonable accommodations with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act), including current experience in statutes, regulations and guidance issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) pertaining to ADA accommodations.