Disability Specialist

Purpose/Description

Under the direction of the Disability Manager and Disability Administrator, the Disability Specialist is responsible for managing day-to-day operations related to Wayne County’s disability and medical leave-related programs, ensuring compliance with all government regulations, including Workers’ Compensation, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA), Wayne County’s Long-Term Disability Program, contractual leave benefits outlined in various applicable collective bargaining agreements (CBA), and employee benefit plans. The Disability Specialist engages in the interactive process to ensure are afforded necessary information to process leaves, reasonable accommodations and other benefits provided by the county including facilitating return to work process.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience/Education

• A Bachelor’s Degree in business, human resources, labor relations or other related field; AND
• Five (5) years of full-time paid experience in the worker’s compensation, leave administration or other related fields.

Required Tasks

• Assist the Disability Manager in managing Wayne County’s workers' compensation program, including interacting with the injured employees, the County’s third-party administrator (TPA) and managers to manage all aspects of claims.
• Provide testimony during administrative hearings e.g., Workers’ Compensation, litigated cases, grievance hearings, and working with all stakeholders for claim resolution.
• Process Long-Term Disability Plan (LTD) claims, including managing day-to-day aspects of claims and ensuring compliance with collective bargaining agreements (CBA) and employee benefit plans.
• Review and process medical leave claims/requests, especially those governed by the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in compliance with Federal and State laws and regulations and pursuant to County policies, CBAs and employee benefit plans.
• Review and process Fit-for-Duty requests made by departments/elected offices, including investigating the claim and assisting with resolution.
• Serve as a liaison between employees and other stakeholders, including employees, managers, medical practitioners, independent medical examiners, and other service providers.
• Provide training and consultation to managers and other stakeholdersrelating to the County’s leave and disability programs
• Partner with the Health & Safety to actively promote a health and safe work environment.
• Ensure accurate information is entered into the County’s human resources information system regarding an employee’s leave status.
• Assist in the drafting publications including Requests for Proposals (RFP) related to procurement of services, employee communications and others.
• Assist in maintaining financial and analytical data related to the leave and disability programs.
• Will require occasional travel to various locations.
• Other duties as assigned as by the Disability Manager to assist in the operations of the unit.