Ada Coordinator/Benefits Coordinator

The Benefits Office provides administrative oversight of all employee benefits (insurance, retirement, leave). This includes consulting employees, and processing related actions for on/off-boarding, qualifying life events, and special enrollments and events (new offerings/open enrollment). Additionally, this office consults with faculty and staff regarding retirement, the NC State Health Plan, NC Flex, UNC System Benefits, multiple leaves of absence (i.e. family medical, educational, personal, military, leave without pay), prior service, longevity payments and other benefits processes. Administers the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations and services. Responsible for benefits website and communications, in addition to benefits systems, file loads, error reports, deduction management, and reconciliations. Ensures compliance with federal, state, and University policies/procedures and other rules and regulations.

Primary Purpose of Position

Administration of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations and services.

• Provides direct support to individuals with disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Conducts disability eligibility analyses, provides referrals, approves reasonable accommodations, and connects individuals with services to support their personal goals. Educates employees regarding support for individuals with disabilities and facilitates compliance with the ADA/ADAAA and related federal, state, and local regulations and University policies. Shares team workload of benefits administration for leave of absence (LOA), and other benefits consulting services. Maintains confidentiality of university, employee, and applicant records, as applicable. This position must work with more than 3,500 faculty and staff, as well as temporary employees meeting eligibility for benefits.

Summary of Position Responsibilities

ADA Coordination:

Reviews and responds to ADA Accommodation requests: Responsible for intake and processing of employee ADA Accommodation requests for all employees (faculty, staff, full-time, part-time, student employees) and applicants with disabilities.

Engages the interactive process to gain a foundational understanding of individual needs and evaluates information from medical and/or psychological professionals to determine eligibility; make referrals and/or consults with diagnosticians, as necessary. Makes and communicates decisions to approve/deny requests based on information gathered and essential job functions.

Works with individuals to determine reasonable accommodations needed for professional and/or personal success. Assists individuals with solving obstacles unique and/or common to individuals with disabilities. Connects individuals to and/or provides direct resources and services. Interfaces with campus constituencies to ensure individuals gain equitable access to resources.

Documents interactions with individuals with disabilities and analyzes the effectiveness of accommodations; compiles reports and analyzes data related to accommodations, compliance, and program efficacy. Maintains confidentiality of university, employee, and applicant records, as applicable. Serves as the benefits team lead for ADA for all LOA: Consults and coordinates with HR, Legal Affairs, and managers/supervisors to evaluate situations involving employees with medical restrictions for any LOA that may require ADA Accommodations.

Serves as subject matter expert: Ensures compliance with the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act (including the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to persons with disabilities.)

Reviews, updates, interprets policies and procedures, conducts training sessions, provides guidance on accessibility issues, and coordinates ADA compliance efforts throughout the organization. Consults with legal and testifies in court.

Responsible for responding to disability-related complaints: Ensures that appropriate procedures/processes are in place to promptly and equitably resolve complaints and inquiries from university employees, applicants, and the public regarding compliance with the ADA and other applicable federal and state laws regarding discrimination based on disability.

Benefits Consulting:

Shares benefit team workload for all other LOA: This includes benefits administration of Family Medical/Illness Leave, Voluntary Shared Leave, disability, etc. Consult employees, emergency contact(s) supervisors, and other leadership regarding complex LOA. Provides eligibility and steps to apply/utilize applicable benefit(s). Interprets and applies state and federal laws/regulations, in addition to university policy/procedures. Makes and communicates decisions to approve/deny benefits based on their individual situations and governing rules/regulations. Maintains in-depth LOA and benefits knowledge.

Shares benefit team workload for other benefits administration: Consults current, prior, and prospective employees, family members, and beneficiaries to provide benefit options (health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, etc.), comparisons, guidance on tools/resources, and instructions so employees, and others can make well-informed decisions about general benefits matters (i.e. enrollments, qualifying life events, separations). Responsible for projects and team support as assigned (including, but not limited to process improvements, establishing/updating procedures, providing backup).

Minimum Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree and two years of progressively responsible professional human resources experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be from appropriately accredited institutions.
• At least 2 years of experience directly related to providing disability eligibility analyses (American with Disabilities (ADA) accommodations specific to employees, includes intake and interactive process for requests).
• Ability to communicate both in writing and orally with and relate to individuals of diverse disabilities and backgrounds.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.
• Ability to deliver effective presentations to large and small audiences. MS Excel experience.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience with HR/benefit system applications, MS Word, and Google applications.
• Higher education and direct state benefits experience are a plus, but not required.