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NEOGOV · 1 day ago

Absence & Disability Advisor (StratAdvsr1, Exempt BU-P)

Seattle, WA

Full-time

Hybrid

Mid, Senior Level

$108K/yr - $162K/yr

3+ years exp

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is seeking an experienced Absence & Disability Advisor to join their Human Resources team. This strategic role is responsible for administering workers' compensation programs, coordinating return-to-work processes, and managing ADA accommodations while ensuring compliance with regulations.

GovTechHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologySoftware

Responsibilities

Administer workers' compensation, return-to-work processes, and ADA accommodations by coordinating all required interactive processes, maintaining comprehensive documentation in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and ensuring confidentiality and appropriate handling of sensitive employee information in accordance with HIPAA, ADA, and other privacy regulations

Provide expert guidance and problem resolution to employees and managers on complex absence and disability matters including FMLA, workers' compensation, ADA accommodations, and Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), ensuring clear, compliant, and customer-focused solutions that balance organizational needs with employee support

Serve as the primary liaison with Seattle Human Resources (SHR), third-party administrators, medical providers, and other stakeholders on workers' compensation claims, ensuring timely claim management, accurate documentation, and proactive identification of trends or risks while partnering with employees, supervisors, and leadership on complex absence and disability issues

Lead return-to-work initiatives and oversee ADA accommodation plans by developing and implementing modified duty programs, conducting interactive processes, evaluating accommodation requests, coordinating with supervisors to identify suitable work assignments, collaborating with medical providers, monitoring employee progress, and ensuring reasonable accommodations are implemented in accordance with applicable laws

Maintain tracking, reporting, and recordkeeping systems aligned with City policies and regulatory standards, analyze data and identify trends related to workplace injuries, absences, and accommodations to inform strategic decision-making and risk mitigation efforts, generate reports on workers' compensation trends and accommodation outcomes, and support the development and continuous improvement of absence and disability policies, procedures, and best practices

Conduct training and provide technical assistance to managers and supervisors on absence management, disability accommodation, workers' compensation procedures, and related employment laws to enhance program efficiency, compliance, and overall program effectiveness

Qualification

Workers' compensation administrationADA accommodationsFMLA managementData analysisHuman resources experienceTraining developmentPublic sector experienceEmployment law knowledgeCustomer service orientationCommunication skillsCollaboration skills

Required

A bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration (with emphasis in Human Resources, Healthcare, or Risk Management), Healthcare Administration, Vocational Rehabilitation, Public Health, Risk Management, or a related field AND three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in human resources, absence management, disability management, workers' compensation administration, or a related field

Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in human resources, absence management, disability management, workers' compensation administration, or a related field

Experience must include managing leave of absence programs (FMLA, ADA, workers' compensation), conducting interactive processes and coordinating workplace accommodations, interpreting and applying employment laws and regulations, and working with employees, managers, and external stakeholders on complex HR matters

Preferred

Experience in absence and disability management, workers' compensation, or ADA accommodations; data analysis and risk mitigation; training development and delivery on leave management and ADA compliance

Public sector or municipal government experience; experience with third-party administrators (TPAs) and workers' compensation claim management systems

Advanced knowledge of federal and state employment laws (ADA, FMLA, Washington State PFML, WISHA, workers' compensation regulations)

Understanding of medical terminology, functional capacity evaluations, and workplace ergonomics; expertise in conducting interactive processes and evaluating accommodation requests; proficiency with HRIS systems (PeopleSoft, Workday, SAP) and case management software

Strong analytical skills to interpret data and identify trends; excellent communication skills to explain complex regulations to diverse audiences; proven ability to handle sensitive information with discretion

Strong customer service orientation; experience working with diverse populations and providing culturally responsive services; experience working collaboratively with union representatives and understanding collective bargaining agreements