Human Resources Specialist - Leave & ADA

Human Resources Specialist - Leave & ADA

Salary

$92,431.19 - $127,597.54 Annually

Location

Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA

Job Type

Regular

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

26-00337

Department

Human Resources

Division

HR_WrkfrceBenefits+Systems

Opening Date

10/07/2026

Closing Date

10/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

NONAFF

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Come Join the City of Bellevue!

Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the "Hiring Process" section below to learn more.

New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Human Resources Specialist - Leave & ADA who is responsible for processing and supporting leave of absences, and ADA workplace accommodations for represented and non-represented employees. At Bellevue, you will provide exceptional customer service and assistance to all stakeholders and effectively help people navigate leave of absence and accommodation requests. This will include general administration, comprehensive case management, and program compliance in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), other related employment laws, collective bargaining agreements and the City's policies and procedures. The position will also be integral in processing HR transactions and ensuring the integrity of employee information in the City's systems.

In the HR Department, you'll be a part of an engaged, enthusiastic team, dedicated to providing exceptional services to the city's managers and employees, and to job seekers and external partners. Bellevue employees embrace the values of innovation, integrity, stewardship, collaboration, accountability, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and take pride in the work they do. The City Council's vision is that Bellevue welcomes the world, our diversity is our strength, we embrace the future while respecting our past.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves as the point of contact and subject matter expert for qualified continuous or intermittent leaves of absence and reasonable accommodation requests. Partner with assistant city attorney on complex or high-risk cases. Lead or contribute to continuous process improvement initiatives in HR operations related to accommodations and leave management.
• Handles the leave process from employees' initial notice of the need for leave to the employees' return to work. This includes gathering and completing all required paperwork, determining leave eligibility, designating, or denying leaves as appropriate, requesting medical certification as needed, recertifying leaves, managing independent medical evaluation processes when needed, tracking and accounting for leave time used, including intermittent or reduced schedule leave use and performing audits as needed to ensure accuracy.
• Manages ADA workplace accommodation requests by understanding job analysis to assess the essential functions, conduct meetings for the interactive process, assess accommodation needs and department ability to reasonably provide accommodation, managing documentation, tracking accommodation status and providing guidance to employees and decision recommendations to departments. Manage and communicate the legal/technical aspects of the process in an empathetic, neutral, and clear manner.
• Delivers excellent customer service and ensures employees are aware of their own responsibilities and of any documentation and notice requirements to qualify for and to take leave. Provides guidance and advice to managers on the process and best practices.
• Delivers excellent customer service and ensures employees are aware of their own responsibilities and of any documentation and notice requirements to qualify for and to take leave. Provides guidance and advice to managers on the process and best practices.
• Maintains reasonable communication with employees on leave to facilitate smooth and timely return to work; keeps managers up to date about employee leaves, changes, and work restrictions.
• Preserves confidentiality of employee medical documentation and files.
• Maintains complete and accurate records; ensures all leave and accommodation requests (including intermittent and reduced schedule leaves) are processed accurately and timely, notifying employees of expirations and need for recertification.
• Collaborates with city-wide departmental leadership, HR Consultants, Benefits, Payroll, Risk/Workers' Compensation, HRIS and Legal on leave and ADA accommodations, independent medical evaluations, performance issues, and other matters. Hold monthly meetings with department leadership experiencing high utilization and HR consultants to ensure smooth facilitation.
• Monitors continuation of group health plan benefits during leave based on the City's policies and procedures/collective bargaining agreements; collaborates with benefits administrator on eligibility criteria changes.
• Documents internal workflow processes; researches, recommends, and streamlines processes for efficiency while ensuring positive employee and manager experience, consistency, and compliance.

Qualifications

Education and Experience Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in human resources or related field.
• Five or more years of experience administering federal and Washington state leaves of absence and ADA workplace accommodations; working knowledge of best practices for leaves of absence and accommodations.
• Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent organizational and prioritizing skills, detail oriented, and ability to handle multiple tasks and assignments.
• Professional and personable, exercising sound judgment when dealing with sensitive and confidential matters.
• Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Self-starter, motivated and proactive.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills; experience working with a HRIS and leave management software.
• Ability to build positive relationships at all levels across the organization, and cultivate confidence being a subject matter expert and delivering consistent results.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and anticipate client needs, convey appropriate options, and make recommendations for implementation.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Certification in Human Resources or completion of specialized certification or training on FMLA/leave administration and ADA is preferred.

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 20 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.
• Hybrid position requiring two onsite days per week.

Flexible/Hybrid Working:

A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period working in the office after hire. Remote work for this position is subject to departments operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall. Community Outreach manager responsible for programming that may include evening and weekends.

HIRING PROCESS

The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment
• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial drivers license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications.

At the City of Bellevue, youll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: Exceptional Public Service, Stewardship, Commitment to Employees, Integrity, Innovation, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Youll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. Its what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.

Have we piqued your interest yet? Come join our team! The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 425-452-6838 or recruiting@bellevuewa.gov. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/IER_RightToWorkPoster.pdf

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RighttoWorkPosterES.pdf

For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.

Please be sure to check your junk folder for any messages that may be sent to you about this recruitment.

The City of Bellevue offers employees a comprehensive benefits package providing choice, flexibility, and value!

Please Note: Seasonal, part-time, and variable employees are not eligible for the below benefits except for mandatory participation in the retirement plan assigned to the position, which will be the Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (MEBT 2) retirement plan or the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement plan and any other benefits as required by law.

The following summary applies to fully benefited positions:

Medical

Employees are offered a choice of medical coverage through the Citys self-insured Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan or Kaiser Permanente (HMO).

Dental

Employees are offered a choice of two dental carriers with plans that offer regular checkups, x-rays, fillings, and crowns. Orthodontia is available through one of the carriers.

Vision

Employees are offered a choice of vision coverage through an annual exam-only plan or a buy-up plan which includes an annual eye exam and hardware coverage.

Retirement Plans - Employees are offered three retirement plans:

• Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS): Mandatory participation (PERS, LEOFF or PSERS), depending upon eligibility.
• City of Bellevue Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (MEBT): Optional participation in this 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match contributions that vest on a 3-year schedule.
• Deferred Compensation Program (457 DCP): Optional participation in the supplemental Deferred Compensation Program also administered by DRS that allows tax-deferred savings into a variety of investments options.

Other benefits include:

More detailed information about our employee benefits is available at https://c2mb.ajg.com/cityofbellevue

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Survivor Income
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 11 observed holidays per year plus 2 additional personal holidays, vacation (standard accrual of 12 days a year), and sick leave (accumulated at the rate of one day per month)
• An ORCA Card bus pass
• On-site fitness center, and self service food/coffee options
• Career development and training programs
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Paydays - The City of Bellevue pays employees on the 8th and the 23rd of each month (24 pay periods per year).

Please note: The City of Bellevue does not participate in the Social Security Administration (SSA) program and employees do not earn social security credits. The mandatory DRS retirement pension plan provides the required social security replacement plan.

NOTE: This is a brief summary of the benefit programs for the Citys non-represented employees. Every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Benefits for employees represented by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) may have different benefits. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a CBA, the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.

01

Your responses in this section will be used to review your application and determine your eligibility for this position. The experience listed here MUST match the employment history provided in your application. If your answers do not align, please go back and update your application before submitting, as any discrepancies may result in removal from consideration. Please note, it is not acceptable to use "See Resume" or "See Above". We do not accept resumes as a substitute for a completed application. Do you understand and agree to these requirements?

• I confirm that the information provided here is consistent with my application.
• I do not agree with the statements above.

02

Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed in human resources or a related field?

• High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Associate degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or above

03

How many years' experience do you have managing leave programs, including FMLA, PFML and other leave policies?

• No experience
• Less than 3 years of experience
• 3-5 years of experience
• 5-7 years of experience
• More than 7 years of experience

04

How many years' experience do you have managing workplace accommodations?

• No experience
• Less than 3 years of experience
• 3-5 years of experience
• 5-7 years of experience
• More than 7 years of experience

05

Please check as many of the following that apply to you:

• I have intermediate or advanced knowledge of federal leave and ADA laws.
• I have experience processing leave of absence requests.
• I have experience facilitating interactive process (IP) meetings.
• I have experience educating front-line supervisors on ADA and/or leave administration practices and principles.
• I have experience developing and delivering training related to leave and/or ADA.
• I have experience communicating in writing with health care professionals when seeking clarification regarding employee work restrictions and limitations.
• I have experience working in a unionized environment.
• I have experience supervising direct reports.
• None of these apply to me.

06

I understand that this position is not fully remote. The position will require selected candidate to report to the worksite between two (2) and five (5) days per week, depending on business needs. The selected candidate must reside within a reasonable distance to the worksite and have the ability to regularly report onsite as needed.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Bellevue

Address PO Box 90012

Bellevue, Washington, 98009

Website http://www.bellevuewa.gov/