Clerk IV (Leaves Specialist)

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Assistant Director of Employee Relations & Wellness, the Clerk IV (Leaves Specialist) position is responsible for the execution of the Human Resources (HR) process for Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)/leave requests, Workers' Compensation cases, requests for accommodations, and electronic personnel actions.

Essential Functions

• Assists the administration of the medical leaves, workers' compensation, other leaves (e.g., bereavement) program, and requests for accommodations for all employees within the Administration & Finance business unit.
• Maintains and updates electronic tracking systems for medical leave employees, employee accommodations, and workers' compensation cases.
• Provides general office support (faxes and email), to include processing confidential documents (i.e. personnel actions, etc.).
• Ensures timely and accurate communication with the central human resources department to ensure accurate processing of time/labor and personnel action forms for employees granted income from PFML and PFML questionnaires. Creates and maintains accurate records regarding PFML applications.
• Assists employees in person, via telephone, via email, and via other technology to answer questions. Provides individual counseling to employees in the area of leaves of absence, accommodations, and income replacement.
• Provides guidance to department managers, supervisors and employees on leaves laws, policies, practices, and procedures.
• Designs, creates, and supports a welcoming and customer-service-focused HR leaves office; develops and revises office processes as needed to ensure effective and efficient operations.
• Participates in project-based HR initiatives.
• Participates in campus HR professional development training, conferences, and meetings.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties and assist in projects as assigned.
• Contributes toward a positive and respectful workplace with personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration.
• May supervise student employees.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Minimum of three (3) years experience in an office setting; or associate's degree or higher may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.
• Considerable knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft Suite applications.
• Basic knowledge of the principles of office operations and the ability to apply this knowledge to solving office problems.
• Ability to maintain good working relationships with internal and external customers.
• Ability to give oral and written instructions in an understandable manner.
• Ability to develop and incorporate new procedures from general instructions.
• Ability to maintain and keep records.
• Strong customer service skills.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Previous human resources experience.
• Knowledge of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability & Accessibility Act) provisions regarding protected health information.
• Bilingual.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

Additional Details

This position is designated as essential personnel.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm.

Salary Information

Non-Unit Grade 13.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.