Leave Of Absence Consultant

Job Description

APPLICANTS MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE PRINCIPAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE CIVIL SERVICE TITLE

The Department of Social Services (DSS) is comprised of the administrative units of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). HRA is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance. DHS is committed to preventing and addressing homelessness in New York City by employing a variety of innovative strategies to help families and individuals successfully exit shelter and return to self‑sufficiency as quickly as possible.

Human Resources Solutions (HRS) support the human resources needs of the Department of Social Services, the Human Resources Administration, and the Department of Homeless Services through strategic partnership and collaboration, with the goal of creating an inclusive, motivated, and client centered workforce.

HRS Office of Benefits Administration is recruiting for one (1) Principal Administrative Associate III to function as a Leave of Absence Consultant who will:

• Appropriately refer long‑term leave of absence cases to OSR’s Employee Discipline Unit, by exercising proper judgment when employees on long‑term leave of absence do not comply with agency leave rules and regulations; thoroughly monitor leave cases, and promptly refer employees to the Employee Discipline Unit, when necessary or required.
• Accurately process employees’ requests for long‑term leave of absence personnel transactions in the New York City Automated Personnel System (NYCAPS); thoroughly review and assess long‑term leave case documentation to determine leave eligibility, eligibility for certain agency payroll programs, and determine the proper actions to take in the NYCAPS system; secure proper authorization from LOAU management prior to processing the aforementioned personnel transactions;
  
  utilize PMS, NYCAPS, City Time, WMS, HRA One Viewer, ERSUS (internal LOAU tracking database) and the Employee Online Requests system in processing long‑term leave of absence personnel transactions.
• Prepare agency letters and memos for distribution to employees on long‑term leave of absence, and for distribution to other OSR divisions/units, such as Payroll and Timekeeping Administration.
• Interpret those agency policies and procedures governing the long‑term leave of absence process/general agency policy and procedure, possess expertise/knowledge/information to provide advisement and customer service to employees who are out on long‑term leave of absence.
• Liaise with other city agencies directly involved in the long‑term leave of absence process (i.e., Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) and NYCAPS); liaise with multiple agency divisions/units, (i.e., Payroll Administration, Timekeeping Administration, the Employee Discipline Unit, the Office of Legal Affairs, etc.), to ensure that current leave request/leave information for affected staff member is data‑entered to reflect correct leave and pay information, by providing status updates/accurate information on LOAU long‑term leave of absence cases clearly, comprehensively and concisely.
• Research/identify problems and provide feedback, solutions and recommendations that will improve/enhance the agency’s current long‑term leave of absence procedure; consult and confer with the DCAS and NYCAPS for clarification on policies and procedures in administering and expediting long‑term leave of absence requests.
• Secure required information and/or documentation regarding employees who request a long‑term leave of absence, by collaborating with the Human Resources Business Partners (HRBPs) and location supervisors, to resolve issues/problems that may impact the efficient processing of an employee’s long‑term leave of absence request.
• Administer various agency grants and programs, such as the Special Extended Sick Leave with Pay (3.5) grant and the Dedicated Sick Leave Program, in accordance with agency policy and procedure.
• Respond to requests for information made by employees or agency division/units,…