Specialist, Leaves Administrator

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

The Leaves Administrator Associate directly supports the Senior Benefits Manager and is responsible for assisting with the administration of primarily leave of absence, but also short- and long-term disability, and any ad hoc projects. They will serve as a leaves specialist when engaging with employees and school leaders. They will also collaborate with various teams as it relates to benefits data.

Responsibilities include

• Ensure accurate tracking and handling of all aspects of employee leave of absence and accommodation cases from beginning to end, including maintaining internal tracking systems and Uncommon’s HRIS to ensure leaves management and the interactive process are aligned with regulatory requirements and company policies.
• Contributes to, and in some cases leads, leaves-related special projects, 
• Maintains communication with employees on leave to facilitate smooth and timely return to work
• Ensures clear communication with managers regarding their direct report’s leave, including return to work notification
• Full cycle management of the leave administration process including parental, FMLA, medical, workers compensation, accomodations, and military from initial notice of the need for a leave to the return to work
• Advises managers and employees on the interaction of leave laws and internal leave policy with paid time off, workers compensation, and short-term and long-term disability benefits.
• Recommends revisions to company leave policies to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Maintains knowledge of all applicable leave and accommodation laws including the FMLA, ADA, and state and local laws.
• Collaborates with payroll to ensure accurate pay to staff on leave
• Work in partnership with third party administrator to process leave
• Preserve confidentiality of employee medical documentation

• Extensive knowledge of the leave requirements and other legal protections afforded by the FMLA, ADA, and other applicable laws.
• Ideally, some experience managing leaves across multiple municipalities with varying eligibility requirements and benefits
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrable track record of speaking and writing clearly and persuasively
• Strong organization, time management, and follow-up skills; ability to prioritize the most critical work
• Focus on the employees we serve and an ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituents
• Outstanding judgment, sensitivity and high discretion
• Solid attention to detail and ability to project manage
• Some knowledge of employment and leave laws in New York, New Jersey and/or Massachusetts
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google suite of products
• Proficient in, or exposure to, ADP and/or Workday
• Willing to travel to our schools throughout our six regions

Preferred

• Background working with entrepreneurial organizations is strongly preferred
• Interest in education/charter schools a plus
• 2-3 years of HR experience
• 2-3 years of leaves experience preferred

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required
• SHRM certification preferred

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

Compensation for this position

The full compensation range for this role is $70,100-$82,500. Typically, new hires who fully meet all qualifications listed in the job description will start at $74,300. Starting compensation below this reflects candidates with less experience or qualifications. Offers near the top end of the range are reserved for candidates who significantly exceed the qualifications, bringing extensive experience and specialized expertise beyond what is listed.

Compensation determinations consider relevant professional experience and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Additionally, because we value internal growth and tenure, current staff members are not subject to salary caps within this range.

Benefit Highlights: 

• 19 days of paid time off
• 3 weeks of paid Winter and Summer org-wide holidays
• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision insurance plans
• 403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits
• Pre-tax flexible spending, dependent care, and health saving accounts

*A detailed list of all benefits is located HERE.

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve---with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.

As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email [email protected].