Leaves Specialist - Human Resources

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. With over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color, we exemplify diversity, equity, and inclusion. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

The Leaves Specialist directly supports the Leaves Manager and is responsible for assisting with the administration of primarily leave of absence, but also short- and long-term disability, workers’ compensation, accommodations, and any ad hoc projects. They will serve as a leaves specialist when engaging with employees and school leaders. They will also collaborate with various teams as it relates to benefits data.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate tracking and handling of all aspects of employee leave of absence and accommodation cases from beginning to end, including maintaining internal tracking systems and Uncommon’s HRIS to ensure leaves management and the interactive process are aligned with regulatory requirements and company policies
• Contributes to and leads leaves-related special projects
• Maintains communication with employees on leave to facilitate smooth and timely return to work
• Ensures clear communication with managers regarding their direct report’s leave, including return to work notification
• Full cycle management of the leave administration process including parental, FMLA, medical-self, family medical, workers’ compensation, accommodations, and military from initial notice of the need for a leave to the return to work
• Advises managers and employees on the interaction of leave laws and internal leave policy with paid time off, workers compensation, and short-term and long-term disability benefits
• Recommends revisions to company leave policies to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations
• Maintains knowledge of all applicable leave and accommodation laws including the FMLA, ADA, and federal, state and local laws
• Collaborates with payroll to ensure accurate pay to staff on leave
• Work in partnership with third party administrator to process leave
• Holds third party administrator accountable for providing best in class service
• Preserve confidentiality of employee medical documentation
• Update and maintain the Leave and Accommodations process documentation
• Contribute to the development and co-facilitation of training for managers, HR, and employees, specifically in the areas of FMLA, ADA workers compensation, State leaves, parental leaves, short-term and long-term disability benefits, and other pertinent leaves

• 5 years of professional experience; 3-4 years of directly related experience
  • 2-3 years of HR experience; 2-3 years of Leaves experience preferred
• Bachelor's degree required; SHRM certification preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Suite
  • Expertise in Microsoft Excel and/or Google sheets strongly preferred
• Proficient in, or exposure to, Workday strongly preferred

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent. [same for all roles]

Compensation 

Compensation for this role is between $74,000 to $87,000. 

Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant professional experience, education, certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. If you meet all job description requirements you will likely receive an offer of $78,300. 

Benefits

• 19 days of paid time off
• 3 weeks of paid Winter and Summer org-wide holidays
• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision insurance plans
• 403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits
• Pre-tax flexible spending, dependent care, and health saving accounts

*A detailed list of all benefits is located HERE.

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students. As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email [email protected].