Pay Rate: $30–$33 per hour
Job Type: Temporary
Job Overview
Under general supervision, the Temporary Leave of Absence (LOA) Specialist is responsible for administering all aspects of employee leave programs in compliance with federal, state, and local laws, as well as internal policies. This role serves as a key resource for employees and managers by providing guidance, ensuring accurate documentation, and delivering a consistent, compliant, and seamless leave experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Administer a variety of leave programs, including but not limited to FMLA, ADA, CFRA, PDL, OFLA, WA PFML, and personal leaves.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for employees and managers regarding leave eligibility, requirements, timelines, and return-to-work procedures.
- Provide timely and clear communication throughout the entire leave lifecycle, from initial request through return-to-work or separation.
- Maintain accurate records in HRIS, trackers, and case management systems, ensuring timely and precise documentation of leave status and updates.
- Monitor certification and documentation deadlines; follow up on expirations, recertifications, and leave exhaustion dates.
- Partner with People Managers to support leave planning and ensure business continuity during employee absences.
- Collaborate with Payroll and Benefits teams to ensure accurate pay processing, benefits continuation, and leave-related deductions.
- Coordinate with Labor & People Relations on complex leave cases, including ADA accommodations and union-related matters.
- Collaborate with the Workers’ Compensation team on ADA and WC/FMLA-related claims.
- Track and report leave usage, trends, and compliance metrics as needed.
- Maintain current knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local leave laws and regulations, particularly in California, Oregon, and Washington.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Top Qualities of a Successful LOA Specialist
- Well-versed in leave administration, particularly California leave laws
- Strong understanding of LOA eligibility and how different leave programs interact
- Knowledge of Oregon and Washington leave laws is a plus (not required)
- Bilingual in English and Spanish – required
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- High attention to detail due to the accuracy required for LOA letters and tracking
- Strong Excel skills preferred; basic Excel proficiency required
Qualifications
- 4+ years of experience in Human Resources; Leave of Absence administration experience preferred
- High school diploma or GED required; Bachelor’s degree preferred
- HR-related certification preferred
- Experience with JD Edwards or other HRIS systems preferred
- Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Experience working in a unionized environment is a plus