Penn State Job Catalog

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Absence Management

Absence Management Specialists are responsible for case management and administration of leave requests and accommodations related to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Workers’ Compensation, federal, state, and local leave laws, short-term or long-term disability plans, benefit billing, and disability retirements.

• Advise employees, managers, and human resources professionals on leave policies, processes, and laws; serve as point of contact for FMLA and leave types (paid and unpaid) and applicable time off, disability benefits, Workers’ Compensation, and benefit billing
• Coordinate leave processes and procedures; verify eligibility based on policies, guidelines, and federal/state laws
• Oversee the FMLA leave administration process from the initial leave notice to return-to-work; gather and complete required documentation, determining leave eligibility, designating leave as FMLA-qualifying, requesting medical certification, and accounting for intermittent and reduced schedule leave use
• Maintain communication with employees on leave to facilitate smooth and timely return-to-work; relay communications between employees and managers during leave
• Navigate difficult conversations, mental health situations, and in-crisis employee situations and provide resources
• Administer the return-to-work process for employees returning from extended leaves of absence, including coordinating ADA accommodations as needed
• Coordinate with management, timekeepers, Human Resources, and Payroll regarding issues relating to pay during leaves of absence and process necessary corrections
• Advise on time off entries for all leave types; monitor time off entries during leaves to ensure accurate payroll
• Oversee vacation donation program for assigned units
• Serve as a liaison with vendors relating to Workers' Compensation and disability benefits
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level:

– Senior Supervisor

Base Description:

– Supervises direct reports, but primarily completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge to perform own work; spends majority of time on tasks related to own job responsibilities. May demonstrate subject matter expertise. Demonstrates intermediate to advanced planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills. Demonstrates the ability to coach assigned employees. Assigns and reviews completed work to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards. Trains, coaches, mentors, and motivates staff. Anticipates potential problems, issues, and opportunities; researches and recommends solutions within defined policies. May develop creative recommendations for solving problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Typically oversees at least 2 full–time direct reports or equivalent team of part–time and/or student workers (for Professional track, performs work at the Senior Professional level or higher)

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets for specific area and/or grant(s)
– May assist in planning and forecasting budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies general precedents and practices and specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations and impact of potential solutions
– Anticipates potential problems and recommends possible solutions within general guidelines

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– Organizes work of direct reports and sets team priorities
– Reviews the work of others to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and the University
– Communicates with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Collaborates closely with team members; may interact with other staff outside of area
– Utilizes a communication style that is appropriate for a given situation
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 10
• Minimum – $61,800.00
• MidPoint – $75,700.00
• Maximum – $89,600.00