HR Specialist, Absence Management

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

CLASS TITLE : HR Specialist, Absence Management

REPORTS TO : Manager, Employee Absence and Risk Management

TITLE CODE : V18057

GRADE: 07/OPE $82,229 to $129,668 (Annual Salary Scale for Exempt 12-Month Employees Represented by BCPSOPE 2023-2024 Effective July 1, 2023)

DEFINITION: Administers the employee absence management and leave of absence programs, and related services such as options conferences. Consults and collaborates with administrators and supervisors and provides guidance and assistance to employees, families, and staff regarding policies, procedures, and regulations associated with employee absence management programs and leave of absence options. Supervises administrative support staff. Performs other duties as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES :

• Plans, coordinates, assigns, and evaluates the work of the absence management representatives.
• Oversees and coordinates the day-to-day functions of the absence management programs, including the Employee Attendance Monitoring program (EAMP), and the Integrated Disability Management (IDM) program.
• Oversees and coordinates the day-to-day functions of the leaves of absence programs, including the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Performs FMLA audit functions to ensure cases are processed and designated per FMLA regulations.
• Coordinates the case management services in support of the Integrated Disability Management (IDM) Program and other employee absence management and related programs. Oversees the screening, assessing, planning, and evaluations to promote quality care, communication, cooperation, compliance and to ensure appropriate use of personal illness and related benefits.
• Reviews reports and applicable data to identify needed actions and follow-up. Reviews reports to identify trends and conducts follow-up as needed with schools and offices.
• Serves as a back-up in the administration of Fitness-for-Duty (FFD) and reasonable suspicion drug-testing programs and the provision of recommendations for FFD evaluations and testing and requests approval for administrative leave as needed.
• Communicates with executive leadership, principals, and office heads to determine appropriate recommendations related to the EAMP, IDM, FFD and drug-testing programs.
• Meets with employees to address requirements for return to work and as needed. Facilitates process for release of positions.
• Monitors employee compliance with leave of absences and absence management program to include pay status and communicates with appropriate staff. Makes recommendations regarding employees' status including recommendations to terminate employment.
• Manages and updates databases and case management system to reflect employee progress and compliance.
• Conducts the options conference process with certificated and non-certificated employees who are unable to perform essential functions of their current position as determined by a physician.
• Ensures that employees are provided accurate information with regards to options. Monitors the process and compliance regarding options selected and deadlines.
• Communicates regularly and provides status reports of various programs to Manager and Director.
• Coordinates case reviews with appropriate offices related to employee absence management in HR Administration and Compliance.
• Facilitates approval of sick leave bank forms.
• Reviews files and collaborates with appropriate office and/or staff to gather documentation required for recommendations related to termination of employment. Prepares recommendations related to termination of employment for submission to the Manager and Director.
• Develops and delivers training programs as required for school-based and office-based staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :
Education, Training and Experience :
Possession of a bachelor's degree. Five years of increasingly responsible professional experience directly related to human resource administration or related field. Experience in employee absence management and related laws and regulations is preferred. Supervisory experience preferred. PHR or SPHR certification is preferred.

Other combinations of applicable education, training and experience which provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :
Thorough knowledge of human resources laws, codes, regulations, and standards. Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of human resources administration. Knowledge of unemployment laws. Knowledge of Board of Education Policy and Superintendent's Rules. Technology competency including knowledge and skill in the use of database, internet, spreadsheet, word processing, and related applications. Knowledge and skill in data analysis.

Skill in human resources administration. Skill in communicating effectively. Skill in preparing and presenting reports and training. Skill in analyzing procedures and practices and developing improvements. Skill in speaking and presenting before groups. Skill in preparing documents and giving sworn testimony at hearings.

Ability to manage confidential information effectively. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. Ability to exercise tact and discretion.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS :
The work of this class is generally sedentary. Work involves travel to other offices and schools throughout Baltimore County. In addition, work involves travel to offices throughout the state.

Eligible for the Baltimore County Employees' Retirement System

FLSA : Exempt

This job description defines the types of duties and level of difficulty of work required of positions in this title. It shall not be held to exclude duties not mentioned nor limit the right of management to assign work to employees.

Citizenship, residency or work VISA in United States required.

Application Instructions
Please read and carefully follow the instructions provided below.

• Applicants are required to have a completed application on file for employment with Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS). Each time an applicant applies to a job with BCPS, the application must be resubmitted. If an applicant started an application with BCPS in the past and at a later date decides to apply for additional positions, it is the applicant's responsibility to review the entire application and ensure that all data is up to date (for example, the applicant may need to add additional schooling or certifications, an additional work experience, or provide updated references). The applicant must remember to review the entire application each time for accuracy and submit each time for a new or different vacancy.
• Professional references must be submitted to complete your application. Examples of professional references include current and former principals, supervisors, managers, mentor teachers and university/college supervisors. Personal references from colleagues, friends, community members, etc. will not be accepted. Applicants should notify their reference proactively to inform them they will receive a form via email through a MAILBOT email address from Baltimore County Public Schools. Applicants should also inform their reference(s) of the job they are applying to.
• Be sure to account for all periods of employment and unemployment, including student teaching and internship experience, and include names, addresses, and telephone numbers of employers.
• Be sure to answer all criminal background questions. If you answer "yes" to any of the criminal background questions you must provide a written explanation. A criminal offense does not necessarily exclude an applicant from employment with BCPS. Factors such as passage of time since the offense, the nature of the violation, and the extent of rehabilitation will be taken into consideration.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• All persons employed by the Baltimore County Public Schools, regular and temporary, are required to be fingerprinted and have a criminal background investigation (per COMAR) completed. The fee charged for fingerprinting is $109. An identification card will be issued which must be shown prior to employment.
• Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the US.
• If you have military experience, you will be asked to provide a copy of DD214.
• Official transcripts for all higher education must be received prior to contract signing.

• Some positions will require employees to undergo a physical examination and/or drug testing.
• All newly hired personnel must attend a Badges and Benefits session.
• Additional job verification will be required for salary credit.

Non-Discrimination Statement

The Board of Education of Baltimore County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status in matters affecting employment or in providing access to educational programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding the Board's nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: EEO Officer, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Baltimore County Public Schools, 6901 Charles Street, Building B, Towson, Maryland 21204 (443-809-8937). There is a compliance officer responsible for identifying, preventing, and remedying prohibited harassment concerning students. Complaints of harassment should be directed to the executive director, Department of School Safety and Security, 9600 Pulaski Park Drive, Suite 118, Baltimore, MD 21220 (443-809-4360).

Contact Information
Shawn Stahl
Manager, Office of Staffing
6901 Charles Street, E Building
Towson, Maryland 21204
Phone: 443-809-7872
Fax: 410-296-0568
Email: sstahl@bcps.org

Salary : $82,229 - $129,668