DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

Address: !600 W. Monroe St. Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $70,000 per year 

Grade: 22

Closing Date: 3/15/2025

The Benefits Specialist will be responsible for the comprehensive and accurate administration of all employee leave programs, including FMLA, ADA, short-term disability, long-term disability, and other company-specific leaves. This role manages the end-to-end leave process, from initial inquiry and eligibility determination to documentation, tracking, and communication with employees and management, ensuring compliance with all federal and state regulations.

The Benefits Specialist will also be responsible for developing wellness programs to boost physical, mental, and emotional health within ADOR, focusing on activities like nutrition workshops, stress management, and health screenings, while also marketing initiatives, tracking outcomes, and collaborating with stakeholders to foster a healthy environment and culture.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Service Delivery
     * Translates the business strategy through communication, training and support across all areas of the HR team with a focus on delivering value-                added services and programs support
     * Nurtures an inspirational culture and positive work environment through developing high-trust relationships across the organization, and seeks to            ensure that each HR transaction supports a mutually beneficial employee/employer relationship
     * Champions change by demonstrating a continuous improvement mindset and work style and provide support to employees in times of change.

Leave & ADA Administration
     * Administers and manages all aspects of employee leave programs, including Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities         Act (ADA) accommodations, ergonomic requests, and other statutory, regulatory, or policy-driven leaves
     * Serves as the primary point of contact for employees and management regarding leave of absence inquiries, policies, and procedures
     * Manages the interactive process for ADA accommodation requests, working with employees and management to determine reasonable                            accommodations and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations
     * Coordinates with third-party administrators (TPA), if applicable, for the management of short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability                   (LTD)   claims.
     * Maintains confidential and accurate records of all leave cases, accommodations, and related documentation
     * Conducts training and provides guidance to managers and supervisors on leave policies, FMLA requirements, and the ADA interactive process
     * Collaborates with ADOA Risk Management or Facilities on general workplace ergonomic assessments and accommodations
     * Ensures timely and accurate communication with employees regarding their leave status, rights, responsibilities, and return-to-work procedures
     * Monitors legislative and regulatory changes related to FMLA, ADA, and other leave laws to ensure continuous compliance.
     * Processes and tracks necessary payroll changes and benefits continuation/payments related to leaves of absence.

Benefits Liaison
     * Acts as a liaison for all State-Wide programs such as Capitol Rideshare, Remote Work, Benefits Options, Recognition and SECC
     * Administers benefits and wellness plans, including participating in the planning and implementation of employee programs such as health and               wellness strategies and initiatives
     * Organize health fairs, workshops and educational sessions
     * Prepares benefits communications to include developing and delivering clear, concise, and relevant employee communication regarding benefit              and wellness programs and events; developing content for newsletters, email, and other benefit communication pieces; and working closely with            the communications team to align messaging with the overall employee communication strategy.

Agency/Department Compliance & Continuous Improvement
     * Remains current on all laws, regulations, policies, and best practices related to benefits, ADA, and FMLA through regular engagement in activities such as: self-directed research, conferring with other practitioners and technical experts; subscriptions to regulatory/legal/industry newsletters and          briefs; membership in industry associations and attendance at meetings/events; and or participation in training and others continuing education                opportunities.
      * Actively track wellness participation, measure program effectiveness, and report on outcomes
      * Actively contributes to team and individual effectiveness through the following: -
             * Attends staff meetings and huddles of work unit or district; and may cascade and track information as indicated
             * Completes all required training in a timely manner.
             * Participates in assigned work teams as appropriate.
             * May complete periodic metrics, projects, huddle boards and reports as requested.
             * Prepares for and actively participates in 1:1 coaching with supervisor
     * Maximizes work processes and deliverables through lean principles within the Arizona Management System (AMS); and provides                                     recommendations for process improvement, and engages in continuous improvement efforts as assigned.
Miscellaneous
     * Modifies, creates, and/or establishes and gathers data to support metrics
     * Other duties as assigned

Education & Experience
     * Any combination that meets the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs); typical ways KSAs are obtained may include but are not limited to: a                  relevant degree from an accredited college or university, such as a Bachelor’s Degree (e.g., B.S.), training, coursework, and work experience                    relevant to the assignment.

     * Minimum of three (3) years’ human resources experience with leave administration and benefits.

Licenses & Certifications
None

Knowledge/Understanding
     * Knowledge of human resources/personnel principles and practices
     * In-depth knowledge of employment laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to personnel administration and leave of absence            programs, e.g., FMLA, ADA, Short and Long-term disability, and workers’ compensation

Skills
     * Excellent verbal, written, and listening communication skills
     * Excellent interpersonal skills and demeanor
     *  Effective organization and time management skills, with the ability to make measurable progress on multiple tasks and projects simultaneously              and work in high-pressure situations
     * Proficient in the use of a PC in a Windows environment; in the use of the Internet; in the use of MS Office Applications such as Outlook, Word               and  Excel, PowerPoint; and in the use of Google Suite applications such as Gmail, Sheets, Docs, Slides, and Drive.
    * Proficient in the use of HRIS applications

Abilities
     * Ability to clear a comprehensive background and clearance process that includes an Arizona tax compliance verification, and a criminal                          background check through the FBI via level one fingerprint clearance through the Arizona Department of Public Safety
     * Ability to thrive in a service-centric organizational model.
     * Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
     * Ability to work in a confidential manner, ensuring information is shared with internal and external individuals in an appropriate manner
     * Ability to learn LEAN concepts, principles, and tools
     * Ability to understand and solve problems by applying intermediate analytical skills to include collecting all the relevant information and data               needed to address the problem; organizing, classifying and synthesizing the data into fundamental issues; from the information, identifying the most       probable causes of the problem; reducing the information down into manageable components; identifying the logical outcomes from the analyses of       the data collected; and, identifying the options and solutions for addressing the problems analyzed.
     * Willingness and ability to embody ADOR’s core values of Do the Right Thing, Commit to Excellence, and Care About One Another

Additional Job Demands
     * In the course of performing the essential duties, one must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force             frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
     * No substantial exposure to adverse environmental conditions (such as in typical office or administrative work).

Decision-Making Authority
Participates in the establishment of guidelines and policies

     * Bachelor's Degree in Business, Human Resources, or a related field
     * Experience in processing and administering leave of absence programs, e.g., FMLA, ADA, Short and Long-term disability, and workers’                        compensation.
     * Previous experience with LEAN concepts, principles, and tools
       SHRM-CP, PHR, or similar HR certification

The final candidate will be required to abide by the the following pre-employment checks:
-Employment Verification and Reference Checks
-State and Federal Criminal Background Check, including fingerprinting
-Arizona Tax Filing Records Check
-If applicable, ASEDRA Authorized Driver Identification Check

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides a world class comprehensive benefits package including:
-Paid time off for holidays, sick days, annual leave, military leave, bereavement leave, and civic duty leave
-Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
-A robust and affordable insurance plan that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term, and long-term disability options.
-Higher education discounts for State employees and tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 per fiscal year, available to seek further career advancement or certification in Continuing Professional Education.
-Work-life balance and additional options for life betterment such as the Infant at Work Program, State Wellness Program, Public Transit Discounts, Alternate Work Schedules, and Telework opportunities.

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Top ranked Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) provides 100% employer matched contributions (enrollment eligibility will be effective after 27 weeks of State employment). ASRS provides a lifelong benefit based on years of service earned, or worked, and your ending salary. Learn more about ASRS at: https://www.azasrs.gov/content/new-and-prospective-members.

If you have any questions, need assistance, or would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the ADOR Talent Team at talentgroup@azdor.gov.

*The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.