Job Details

JOB DESCRIPTION

Leaves of Absence Administration

Administers and manages all leave of absence programs, including but not limited to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), California Family Rights Act (CFRA), Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), workers' compensation, union-related leaves, and applicable local leave ordinances.

Reviews and processes leave requests, ensuring required documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with applicable laws, collective bargaining agreements, and organizational policies.

Communicates approvals, denials, extensions, and return-to-work (RTW) requirements to employees, supervisors, and leadership in a timely and professional manner.

Updates and maintains accurate leave records, monitors leave timelines, and prepares reports and audits as required.

Provides training and guidance to supervisors and leadership regarding leave rights, responsibilities, and procedures.

Workplace Accommodations

Coordinates and oversees the reasonable accommodation process in compliance with the ADA, Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), and related regulations.

Leads and documents the interactive process with employees, managers, HR partners, and union representatives, as applicable, to identify and implement appropriate workplace accommodations.

Evaluates medical and non-medical documentation, partners with leadership to assess operational impact, and ensures accommodations are implemented consistently and in good faith.

Updates, maintains, and audits comprehensive and confidential records of accommodation requests and actions taken.

Provides training and consultation to supervisors and leadership regarding accommodation requirements and best practices.

Collaboration and Communication

Develops and manages trusted partnerships with third-party administrators, vendors, and contractors to ensure high-quality, cost-effective services supporting leave, accommodation, and disability programs.

Serves as a central point of coordination and SME for leave and accommodation matters; responds to complex inquiries from employees, supervisors, union representatives, and leadership; ensures consistency, accuracy, and compliance across HR systems and processes.

Collaborates closely with Payroll, Benefits, Risk Management, and HR team members to ensure accurate pay continuation, benefits deductions, coordination with disability and workers' compensation programs, and timely return-to-work processing.

Designs and delivers training, presentations, employee education materials, and communications addressing changes that impact benefit plans, leaves, and accommodation requirements.

Communicates clearly and empathetically, particularly when addressing sensitive, complex, or high-risk situations.

Conducts regular case management meetings to update leadership, Human Resources Business Partners, and Risk Services regarding the status of open leave cases.

Compliance and Risk Management

Receives, investigates, and responds to requests and complaints from District employees and students related to ADA violations and other compliance and leave matters; researches and evaluates cases; develops and recommends responses and determines appropriate resolutions in alignment with District policies, practices, and procedures; recommends corrective actions as needed; and provides guidance to employees regarding compliance requirements.

Reviews, verifies, and ensures all leave and accommodation practices comply with federal, state, and local laws, collective bargaining agreements, and internal policies.

Stays current on changes to employment laws and regulations; updates best practices and procedures accordingly.

Identifies compliance risks and recommends corrective actions or policy updates to mitigate exposure.

Ensures benefit, leave, and accommodation programs are administered accurately and in compliance with plan documents and applicable federal and state regulations.

Process Improvement and Employee Experience

Reviews and analyzes market conditions, program structures, emerging trends, and cost data to evaluate the effectiveness of benefit programs and recommends enhancements or new offerings.

Evaluates existing leave and accommodation processes and recommends improvements to enhance efficiency, consistency, compliance, and the employee experience.

Develops and updates tools, templates, workflows, and guidance materials to support supervisors, employees, and HR partners.

Utilizes HRIS and leave management systems to track data, analyze trends, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Supervision and Staff Development

Supervises, trains, evaluates, and directs assigned management and classified personnel.

Conducts performance evaluations, provides coaching, and fosters professional growth.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)

Supports the success of a diverse workforce and student population through interculturally competent and equity-minded policies, decision-making, and conflict resolution.

Provides training and participates in District and State-level committees.

General and Administrative Responsibilities

Represents Human Resources on District and campus committees; serves as a subject matter expert (SME) and resource to participatory governance groups, including hiring committees and administrative councils.

May participate in labor negotiations and collective bargaining activities.

Performs other related duties to support the operational objectives of the Human Resources Department.

PRIMARY PURPOSE

Under the general direction of an administrator, manager, or designee, the District Manager, Benefits is responsible for the administration, coordination, and oversight of all employee leave of absence and workplace accommodation programs. The Manager ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws, collective bargaining agreements, and organizational policies, while delivering timely, accurate, and empathetic service to employees and managers.

The District Manager, Benefits serves as the primary subject-matter expert (SME) and point of contact for complex leave and accommodation matters, partners closely with Payroll and HR colleagues, and provides training and guidance to supervisors and leadership. The Manager requires a high degree of discretion, independent judgment, and expertise in employment law, particularly within a California and unionized environment.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The District Manager, Benefits maintains frequent contact with the Chancellor and Chancellor's Staff, college presidents, vice presidents, deans, and District and campus administrators to coordinate the implementation of Districtwide human resources programs and policies. The position interacts regularly with representatives of local, state, and federal agencies; employee association leadership; vendors, contractors, and/or third-party administrators; and collective bargaining representatives. The District Manager, Benefits also collaborates with academic and classified staff, governance committee members, and HR staff to support institutional goals related to employee benefits, leaves, accommodations, and HR initiatives.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS SUMMARY

Work Schedule: District employees can apply for the Flexible/Hybrid Work Program, working a hybrid schedule of remote work and in-person each week. Approval and number of in-person days may vary by position/department. Questions regarding the work schedule may be discussed with Hiring Manager if selected as an interview candidate.

This is a designated classified management position subject to a six month probationary period.

Initial salary placement will be determined by the Office of Human Resources in accordance with Board Policy and is not negotiable. The candidate selected for employment may need to submit official transcripts, as applicable, prior to the first duty day, and will be required to provide identification and employment eligibility as outlined in the Immigration Reform and Control Act. NOCCCD will not sponsor any visa applications.

The District may choose to fill one or more positions from this recruitment within eight (8) months.

To ensure consistency and fairness to all applicants, please do not submit materials in addition to those requested. Additional materials will not be considered or returned. Be sure to complete all questions and sections of the application. For questions which may not apply, indicate N/A (not applicable). Do not use terms such as see resume or see attached.

The minimum required number of references for this position is three (3) and will be requested at the finalist and/or offer of employment phase of the hiring process.

All applications will be screened under a process of utmost confidentiality by a committee of representatives from the college community. Possession of the minimum qualifications does not ensure an interview. At the time of the interview a written exercise and/or an oral presentation related to the assignment may be required. Subsequent to the interviews, the screening committee will select candidates for final consideration. A second interview will be required of candidates selected as finalists.

Minimum Qualifications Experience: One year of experience is equivalent to 12 months of experience at a maximum of 40 hours per week (full time). Applicable part-time experience will be converted to the full-time equivalent for the sole purpose of meeting the experience minimum qualification (example: Twelve (12) months of part time work experience is equivalent to six (6) months full time).

Minimum Qualifications Education: 24 units are equal to one year of education. As applicable, education must be from a regionally accredited institution and verifiable on a legible unofficial transcript.

NOCCCD offers reimbursement for candidate travel expenses. Visit here to view the administrative procedures AP 7120-10.

Evaluations of foreign degrees and/or course work are required. See our website here for information regarding evaluation of foreign degrees.

If you would like to add additional transcripts not required by the position, you may upload them to the Additional Transcripts link when completing your application.

Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities may be requested by calling (714) 808-4810 at least three business days in advance of the scheduled examination/interview date.

NORTH ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

The policy of the North Orange County Community College District is to provide an educational, employment, and business environment, including but not limited to, access to its services, classes, and programs in which no person shall be unlawfully denied full and equal access to the benefits of, or be unlawfully subjected to discrimination on the basis of ethnic group identification, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender, gender identification, gender expression, race, color, medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, or military and veteran status, or as otherwise prohibited by state and federal statutes, or because they are perceived to have one or more of the foregoing characteristics, or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.