• Job Description

  Req#: 106072

  Requisition ID: 106072

  Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued.

  People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.

  We are Beautifully Different . We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.

  About American Water
  American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people across 14 regulated jurisdictions and 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

  
  As one of the fastest growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $30 to $34 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations, aligned with sustainable best practices, through its commitments to safety, affordability, customer service, protecting the environment, an inclusive workforce and strengthening communities.

  
  American Water has been recognized on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Indexfor the fifth consecutive year, ranked 18th on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, earned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense® Excellence Award, among additional state, local and national recognitions.
  
  For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

  Primary Role

  The Specialist Leave of Absence administers all areas of the Leave of Absence (LOA) process in accordance with Company policies, state and federal regulations. Administer and coordinate LOA programs that include FMLA, ADA, Worker’s Comp, Military Leave, short term disability and long term disability. This includes correspondence and timely follow up with employees, management, and related vendors, tracking of status of leaves, providing payroll instructions, conducting payroll and intermittent leave audits, and coordination of efforts between all related parties in the LOA process.
  

  Key Accountabilities

  • Manage all LOA cases for employees while on leaves: STD, LTD, FMLA, Workers Compensation, etc. Provides specific customer service support to employees, management, and Human Resources in regards to leave eligibility and inquiries. Educate employees and managers on the appropriate leave processes and procedures. Understand and coordinate state regulations with federal regulations, and multiple types of leave. Determines eligibility for FMLA and other types of legally protected leave. Escalates cases as appropriate. (15%)
  • Provide positive, responsive and knowledgeable customer service to employees, management, and vendors. Coordinate with applicable parties (vendors, payroll, benefits, management, HR, etc.) to effectively manage the leave process. Accurately track and follow up on timing issues around leaves of absence, including deadlines for responses from employees, follow-up correspondence due dates, and expected return to work dates. Facilitate and participate in calls with Legal and HR on complex issues. (15%)
  • Monitor and ensure completion of all administrative activities related to LOAs. Administer clear, compliant, and explanatory written communications to employees on leave. Provide the necessary communication and plan materials to employees and managers throughout the leave (leave notification letters, approval letters, information packets, etc.). Accurately complete the employer section of any necessary documentation. Accurately file and track all LOA correspondence and records. (15%)
  • Coordinate with Aetna, Payroll, and employee overpayments related to Social Security Disability approval. Monitor for Waiver of Premium approvals and coordinate with Third Party vendor (TPA). Monitor claims for billing of insurance premiums and coordinate with TPA. Audit and reconcile all billing of insurance. (5%)
  • Provide paycoding guidance for all leave of absences in coordination with policies and Collective Bargaining Agreements. Create actions in system (myTime ECC) to update leave of absence status. Review Advice to Pay file bi-weekly and provide payroll Short Term Disability payment amounts. Audit all payroll data for employees time on LOA to ensure 100% accuracy. Monitor necessary updates needed to work schedule and WBS elements while on LOA. Review payroll simulations. Audit for adjustments to Paid Time Off when employee returns from LOA. (40 %)
  • Attend ongoing training as needed to remain current on leave laws. Recommends policy updates to comply with changing legislation. Limit the company's exposure to violations of both state and federal leave laws, working with outside counsel as needed. (5%)
  • Assist HR with complex leave issues involving abuse of FMLA and other leave types. Analyzes and consults with HR and Legal regarding all ADA (American with Disabilities Act) accommodation requests. Assist HR with steps after claim denial. Coordinate acquisitions and mergers relative to LOA with TPA and HR. (5%)

  Knowledge/Skills

  • Strong analytical and decision making skills.
  • Ability to work independently and manage a workload effectively.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to handle confidential information with the utmost judgment and discretion.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Access, Excel and Word.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of HR benefit practices, policies, and procedures.
  • Thorough knowledge of federal and state laws pertaining to leave of absence.
  • Detailed knowledge of MS Office applications including Word, Excel and Access.
  • Understanding of HRIS.

  Experience/Education

  • Requires 1+ years LOA experience, with experience in complex issue resolution, or 2+ years in a HR Assistant/Specialist/Generalist or Benefits related role.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with employees at all levels, union officials, and the public.
  • Demonstrated analytical and problem solving skills, including conflict management.
  • High School Diploma or GED required; Associates degree is a plus.

  Hours/Schedule

  • Full-time
  • Monday-Friday, day shift
  • Hybrid/remote option available

  Travel Requirements

  • Minimal travel required

  Competencies

  Champions safety

  Customer obsessed

  Cultivates innovation

  Nimble learning

  Drives Results

  Collaborates

  Join American Water... We Keep Life Flowing ™

  American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they are an individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.

• About the company

  American Water is an American public utility company operating in the United States and Canada.

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