Job Description

Benefits Specialist (Leaves, Workers Comp, Accommodations) - Doyle - 1.0 FTE

Human Resources

Doyle Administration Building

Starting Compensation: $32.82 Hourly Wage (26 -27 Salary Schedule)

MMSD is seeking highly motivated and energetic applicants! Applicants should have a good attitude, willingness to learn, and passion for impactful work and learning.

Why You Should Work with MMSD!

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin. We have a simple but bold vision — to ensure that every school is a thriving school, that prepares every student to graduate from high school ready for college, career, and community. We welcome applicants who will actively contribute to our ongoing commitment to making MMSD a thriving, welcoming environment for all students, families, and staff.

In addition, we have a great compensation package. Visit our benefits page and compensation page for more information.

Becoming a Model School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District is committed to being anti-racist, culturally responsive, and inclusive. We have a simple but bold vision — to ensure that every school is a thriving school, fostering the growth of every student so they graduate from high school ready for college, career and community.

Our strategy is captured in our strategic framework, and centers on three major goals: that all children achieve academically, that our schools are places where children and adults thrive, and that our Black youth excel at school. To achieve this vision, we seek to retain staff in all positions, who are committed to being anti-racist, culturally responsive, and inclusive. Staff who will actively contribute to our ongoing commitment to making MMSD a thriving, welcoming environment for all students, families and staff.

We firmly believe in and are here to create a work environment that is challenging and rewarding, while supporting employees in their career path. We strive to provide, encourage, grow, and develop a talented workforce that better supports and represents the diversity of our student population. We know this vision doesn't come to life without dynamic leaders and support staff in every school.

About Our District

The Madison Metropolitan School District is the second largest school district in Wisconsin. The district serves a beautifully diverse population of more than 25,000 students. More than half are students of color. Almost half come from low income households. Nearly one third are English Language Learners, and more than 100 languages are represented in our schools. Madison schools are committed to making this district a place where every child thrives.

Purpose of Position:

Under the general direction of the Benefits Manager, the Benefits Specialist - Leaves, Workers' Compensation, and Accommodations is responsible for the professional case management and administration of leave of absences, workers' compensation benefits, and workplace accommodations. This role serves as the subject matter expert and primary point of contact for employees and managers for the Leaves, Workers Compensation, and Accommodations programs. This role is responsible for ensuring these programs comply with federal, state, and local laws, including the Wisconsin and federal Family and Medical Leave Acts (FMLA), Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and Wisconsin Fair Employment ACT (WFEA), and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), as well as MMSD’s Employee Handbook. This position is responsible for ensuring accurate payroll processing for employees on leave or on workers compensation benefits. This position is responsible for the high quality administration of leave, workers compensation and accommodation benefits and providing exceptional customer service to employees and supervisors.

This position will have a high degree of integrity, sustain a culture of continuous improvement, and be committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive work environment while having a growth mindset to a multi-faceted operation while having a focus on creating a positive work culture.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

N/A

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Program Administration 65%
2. Process employee leave of absence programs in accordance with state and federal laws and District policies.
3. Facilitate requests for workplace accommodations under ADA and WFEA.
4. Coordinate administration of workers compensation claims by working with injured employees, their supervisors and the District’s workers compensation vendor.
5. Coordinate transitional and light-duty programs and facilitate the return-to-work process for employees
6. Enter and audit biweekly and monthly payroll for employees on a leave of absence or workers compensation.
7. Ensure accurate benefit continuation and premium payment for employees on a leave of absence.
8. Communication, Education, and Training 15%
9. Guide employees and management on the interaction between leave laws, paid time off, disability benefits, workers' compensation, and workplace accommodations.
10. Ensure supervisors, payroll processors, and other HR divisions are informed of employees’ leave status
11. Deliver training programs for supervisors and employees
12. Compliance, Quality Control, and Program Analysis 15%
13. Maintain complete and accurate confidential records of all leave and accommodation requests and workers compensation claims.
14. Handle confidential medical documentation with utmost integrity.
15. Ensure compliance with state and federal privacy regulations and MMSD privacy policies and practices.
16. Monitor federal, state, and local regulatory changes impacting leave, workers compensation, and accommodations and propose administrative changes to maintain compliance.
17. Audit processing workflows and documentation to ensure organizational accuracy and consistency.
18. analyze metrics regarding leave usage and workers' compensation claims to identify trends and develop resolution strategies.
19. Other Duties as Assigned 5%
20. Perform other duties as assigned by executive leadership or their representatives or designees.
21. Attend district and school functions that support MMSD’s strategic framework, initiatives, and core values.
22. Complete any and all district required training.
23. Build collaborative relationships with business partners.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required to Perform Essential Job Functions:

• Demonstrated ability to establish relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Follow principles and practices that promote and advance anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Deep understanding of FMLA, ADA, WFEA, HIPAA, and workers' compensation laws.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret complex laws and the District’s Employee Handbook, identify and evaluate available options for clients, and apply program requirements fairly and consistently to individual cases.
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Exceptional interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, compassion and professionalism.
• Ability to guide employees and supervisors as they navigate complex requirements and processes.
• Ability to use active listening, proactive outreach, and clear verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to identify and implement process improvement opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to safely and securely handle highly confidential medical information with the utmost discretion and tact.
• Demonstrated attention to detail to ensure accuracy in program and payroll processing.
• Ability to maintain composure under stress.
• Ability to set priorities, handle high-volume caseload and work independently and collaboratively within a team.

Required Qualifications

• Two years of post-secondary education or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience administering leave of absence programs, ADA accommodations, and/or workers' compensation claims with demonstrated knowledge of current relevant federal and state laws.
• Proficiency in Google and/or Microsoft Office suite of products

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Prior experience working with a Human Resources Information System (HRIS) or leave of absence management software.
• Prior experience in a public K–12 school district, municipal government, or unionized environment.

License or Certification Requirements:

N/A

Physical Requirements

Ability to work under generally safe and comfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors is minimal and poses little to no risk of injury. This position requires the ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally and may involve walking, sitting, stooping or reaching. Manual dexterity is necessary for completing general tasks while operating office equipment. This position may require being stationary for extended periods of time.

Ability to perform work in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments throughout the year, including in inclement weather, spaces without air conditioning, and areas where temperatures may be uncomfortable or fluctuate rapidly.

Working Conditions:

1. Work may require travel to different locations within the district and to off-site meetings.
2. Position may require working evenings, nights, and some weekends.
3. Certain positions within the District may allow hybrid work flexibility for a portion of their work schedule, depending on the needs of the position and the work unit. This topic and any remote work flexibility that may be available will be discussed in more detail in the interview process
4. School-based positions are required to be in-person unless otherwise directed by the building principal.

Disclaimer: This position description is subject to change at any time. The above job description does not limit the duties and responsibilities listed above as they are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Employees in this position may be required to perform additional job-related tasks as directed by the supervisor.

The Madison Metropolitan School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We continue to seek a diverse and talented workforce. We encourage veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities to apply. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.