Assistant Director for Leave Benefits - SUNY New Paltz : Job Details

Department Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion Budget Title Personnel Associate Local Title Assistant Director for Leave Benefits Proposed Posting Date Classification MP-V Duties

The office of Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion (HRDI) at the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz is seeking a creative and engaged member to join our team as the next Assistant Director for Leave Benefits. This position is a critical partner in our recruitment and retention practices, providing comprehensive services and support to approximately 1200 SUNY New Paltz employees. Reporting to the Director of Benefits, this position will be charged with managing all employee leave requests, ADA requests and workers' compensation cases. The leave management program functions within a case management model that includes the Employee Relations areas of the HRDI department and partner offices such as Payroll. While the focus of this position is leave administration, this position will also be cross trained in general administration of employee benefits including retirement and health enrollment to help support operational needs.

This position will require occasional travel for professional development and/or representation of the University. It will be called upon for service to the institution and other duties as assigned including but not limited to:

* Serve as a liaison between staff, supervisors, department heads and the University while working through a case management model that includes employee-relations and payroll partners

* Receive, read and maintain confidential files for medical and other supporting documentation and define appropriate next steps for each case

* Communicate timely with various constituents to ensure that complex rules and regulations are accessible and understood by employees

* Maintain clear and consistent records and documentation (spreadsheets, timelines, digital files etc.) for all leaves of absence administered by Benefits

* Develop and track leave plans and return to work plans, guiding reasonable accommodation processes as appropriate, and keeping all parties properly informed

* Maintain current knowledge in state, federal and SUNY policies as well as provisions of collective bargaining agreements to appropriately support leaves and ADA

* Lead and assist in the development and implementation of policies, forms, procedures related to leaves of absence

* Review, update and document internal procedures as needed and to ensure compliance and best practice.

* Participate in employee benefit enrollment meetings including but not limited to new employee orientation, employee wellness workshops, and open enrollment roll-out

* Initiate, track and complete all necessary transactions related to leaves and worker's compensation cases

* Organize and lead bi-weekly Leave Management meetings held with Benefits and Payroll

* Help employees with basic retirement enrollment questions

* Perform eligibility and enrollment audits to ensure that employees are correctly reflected in the HRIS and State Benefits Databases

* Research, calculate and maintain records and correspondence for prior service requests

* Perform periodic and routine audits of employee deductions to ensure employees are properly enrolled, communicating with payroll about discrepancies and corrections as needed

Qualifications

Required:

* Bachelor's degree in a related field

* In lieu of a Bachelor's degree candidates with an Associate's Degree and at least 3 years of direct experience in leave management and benefits administration will be considered

* Working knowledge of relevant laws and regulations pertaining to ADA and FMLA

* Highly effective verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to address groups and individuals and communicate complex policies and practices to a variety of audiences, live and virtually

* Must have excellent project management skills, strict attention to detail, and be effective in managing multiple and competing priorities

* Effective and clear public speaking and experience with designing and delivering training and educational programming both virtually and in-person

* Must have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Suite of products as well as relational databases, reports, and report analysis

Preferred:

* Experience with NYS or SUNY benefit programs is desirable

Special Instructions to Applicants

Electronic submissions required. Individuals with disabilities who need assistance with the application process should call (845) ###-####. Candidates will be required to electronically submit:

* cover letter - cover letters should address the candidate's experience working with and supporting diverse populations

* resume

* contact information for three professional references

Please apply by visiting

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled

Other important information about this vacancy

This position offers full New York State benefits which are among the most comprehensive in the country; see them here: The State University of New York at New Paltz is a highly selective, public University that is recognized regionally for the strength of its academic programs. It is located in the beautiful Hudson River Valley with easy access to New York City and other nearby recreational and cultural amenities.

SUNY New Paltz recognizes the unique skills, perspective, talents and passion that each employee contributes to its learning community. To work here is to accept an invitation to participate in the growth and development of all campus members-students, faculty and staff. The University's commitment to inclusive excellence is an important part of our mission of public education and our culture. New Paltz continues to work on building a community that supports freedom, mutual respect, and civility. We seek others who support these values of diversity and inclusiveness and candidates of all diverse backgrounds who wish to participate in our cultural aspirations are welcome and encouraged to apply. All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The State University of New York at New Paltz is an AA/EOE/ADA employer.

Federal law and regulations require notice to all prospective employees regarding crimes that have occurred on campus in the current three year period. Please refer to the University Police Web site for the complete Annual Security Report (Clery Report) at