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Job Description
Job Title
HR Leave Specialist II
Agency
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service
Department
Human Resources
Proposed Minimum Salary
$4,772.73 monthly
Job Location
College Station, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) “Make a Difference” mission focuses on making a difference by providing training, developing practical solutions, and saving lives. The HR Leave Specialist II position plays a crucial role in achieving this mission by effectively coordinating the leave programs and must ensure full compliance with Agency, System, State, and Federal requirements governing leave and employment practices.
The Leave Specialist II is responsible for all aspects of employee leave programs that include Sick Leave, Vacation, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Military Leave, Worker’s Compensation, Sick Leave Pool administration, and Leave without Pay processes. This role is also responsible for the DOT Drug Screening processes, TWC unemployment claims, and provides comprehensive leave information to new hires at New Hire Orientation and current employees on an ongoing basis. In addition, this position is responsible for assisting with other Employee Relations tasks including employee engagement activities and the exit survey process.
Every TEEXan directly impacts the professionals who respond to emergencies, safeguard communities, and ultimately save lives. Our dedication to Making a Difference is demonstrated at every level. The Leave Specialist II is responsible for providing timely, professional, and confidential service that supports and assists employees of TEEX with complex areas of FMLA, Leave, and Workers Comp.
The Leave Specialist II will report to the Employee Relations Manager.
Required Qualifications:- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Two years of experience performing Human Resources Leave related duties.
Equivalency: will consider an Associate's degree with four years of experience or a high school diploma/GED with six years of experience.
Other Requirements:- Must have a valid motor vehicle operator’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment.
Preferred Qualifications:- Two years of FMLA, Leave, and Workers Comp experience.
- Three years of experience in various HR functions.
- Experience using database applications.
- Experience working in Human Resources for a state entity.
- Professional in Human Resources certificate (aPHR or PHR).
- Society for Human Resource Management certificate (SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP).
Physical Requirements:- Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computer, keyboard, telephone.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:- Solid demonstrated knowledge of State and Federal laws and programs related to leave administration and administrative processes such as HIPAA, Leave with Pay, Leave Without Pay, Emergency Leave, Military Leave, Sick Leave, Sick Leave Donation, Vacation and Sick time accruals.
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to foster positive connections with internal teams and external partners.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly and professionally.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and database systems, with the ability to learn and adapt to new technologies.
- Skilled in multitasking and managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to take initiative and follow through on tasks that require coordination across departments.
- Highly detail-oriented, with a strong focus on accuracy and meeting deadlines.
Equipment:- Standard office equipment: computer, keyboard, multifunctional printer, telephone, fax, copier, scanner.
Notifications:- This position is security sensitive.
- This position may require work beyond normal office hours and/or work on weekends.
- This position requires compliance with state and federal laws/codes and Texas A&M University System/TEEX regulations and procedures.
- All tasks and job responsibilities must be performed safely without injury to self or others in compliance with System and Agency safety requirements.
- As part of TEEX’s mission of providing training, developing practical solutions, and saving lives; this position could be required, if called upon, to deploy within the State of Texas as directed by this position’s Division Director/HQ Department Head.
- Ability to travel independently to other and/or remote locations by driving a personal or TEEX vehicle and/or flying on commercial airlines.
Essential Duties, Tasks, and Percentages
Leave Administration - 40%- Coordinates and oversees the full lifecycle of FMLA cases by maintaining accurate FMLA logs, issuing required notices to employees and supervisors, tracking leave usage, and monitoring medical certifications and return-to-work releases.
- Partners with division leaders to proactively support early return-to-work efforts through BOEs, ensuring a smooth transition and minimizing disruption.
- Analyzes trends and patterns in leave usage to identify potential issues and provides strategic reports to agency leadership, division directors, and the Controller to support data-driven decision-making.
- Serves as a key resource and advocates for employees by facilitating conversations between employees and supervisors to explore available leave options, clarify rights and responsibilities, and connect them to relevant benefit opportunities.
- Serves as the Sick Leave Pool and TEEX Leave Without Pay (LWOP) administrator for the Agency.
- Coordinates the procedures for leave operations, including preparing reports.
- Provides guidance to departments and management regarding HR practices, compliance, laws, regulations, and ethics.
- Supports deployed employees and their families by consulting on, processing, and monitoring military leave and applicable benefits in compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Partners with Payroll to resolve leave-related issues impacting biweekly pay, ensuring timely and accurate compensation for employees.
- Initiates and administers leave entries on behalf of employees unable to submit requests due to medical or other critical absences, maintaining continuity in leave records and compliance with policy.
Workers Compensation Administration - 20%- Leads the coordination of Worker’s Compensation cases by promptly collecting and submitting on-the-job injury details to Risk Management and ensures all required documentation meets agency and regulatory standards.
- Monitors open claims and support injured employees throughout their recovery, ensuring timely communication, proper leave/pay handling, and safe, efficient return-to-work transitions in alignment with State guidelines.
- Serves as the primary point of contact for Worker’s Compensation matters during deployments and training for TTF-1 members, collaborating closely with the State Office of Risk Management to manage claims, leave, and compensation.
- Oversees Worker’s Compensation coordination for international travel-related injuries, ensuring smooth communication and claims processing with international insurance carriers.
- Builds strong partnerships with divisions, employees, supervisors, and the Environmental Health and Safety Manager to ensure accurate injury documentation and support workplace safety efforts.
- Assists divisions and departments with the implementation of the Early Return to Work Program to help employees reintegrate into work safely and productively.
- Contributes to agency-wide safety initiatives as an active member of the TEEX Safety Council, promoting continuous improvement in workplace health and injury prevention.
NEO / Supervisor Training / Other Trainings - 10%- Participates at New Hire Orientations by delivering leave information to ensure new hires understand their leave options, rights, and available resources from day one.
- Develops and updates training content for employees and supervisors, tailoring materials to reflect policy updates, best practices, and employee needs.
Agency Drug Screen Program Administrator - 5%- Oversees the random drug screening process in partnership with external vendors to ensure employee compliance with State and Federal regulations.
- Guides prospective employees through pre-employment screening requirements, ensuring timely completion and regulatory compliance.
Unemployment Claims Administrator - 5%- Oversees the unemployment claims process by submitting timely responses and partnering with supervisors, witnesses, and other stakeholders to ensure accurate case documentation.
- Prepares and monitors reports for compliance with Texas Workforce Commission requirements, and coordinate or provide testimony for unemployment appeals as needed.
- Develops forecasting tools and reports for Financial Services to help determine and maintain appropriate funding levels for unemployment insurance costs.
Conduct Reports and Surveys - 5%- Compiles and prepares reports related to exit interviews and key HR metrics to support data-driven decision-making.
- Coordinates survey deployment and results collection, ensuring timely dissemination and actionable insights.
- Maintains survey databases and delivers quarterly reports to leadership, highlighting trends and opportunities for improvement.
Serve as Workday System Lead - 5%- Serves as the subject matter expert for leave, workers' compensation, and exit processes within the Workday system by participating in cross-functional working groups and projects.
- Actively engages in Workday trainings and system meetings to stay current on platform updates and ensure accurate and efficient HRIS functionality in assigned areas.
Process Improvement and Resource Development - 5%- Stays current on Leave, FMLA, and Workers' Compensation policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with Agency, System, State, and Federal regulations.
- Develops and updates training materials, guides, and standard administrative procedures (SAPs) in response to policy or procedural changes.
- Maintains and enhances the TEEX employee portal to ensure employees have access to accurate and up-to-date leave resources.
- Identifies and recommends process improvements to streamline leave administration and enhance employee experience.
Other Duties as Assigned - 5%- Assists with other Employee Relations tasks, as needed.
- Completes a minimum of 8 hours of professional development annually to stay informed on industry’s best practices and regulatory updates.
- Handles Protected Health Information (PHI) in compliance with HIPAA regulations and Texas A&M System policy.
- Completes HIPAA training upon hire and as required thereafter, ensuring ongoing compliance with privacy and security standards.
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer. - Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
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ABOUT THE COMPANY
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TEEX Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service
Show moreIt comes down to saving lives. From providing emergency responders to disasters across the state and nation to developing training and practical workforce solutions, TEEX makes a difference worldwide. More than 174,000 people representing every U.S. state and 109 countries are served annually through on-site and online resources for specialties from homeland security to economic development and workforce training.
Home to some of the world’s top training facilities, the emergency preparedness campus in Bryan/College Station includes the Brayton Fire Training Field, Disaster City® and the Emergency Operations Training Center. Customized TEEX training programs develop practical solutions for each client’s need through hands-on instructional facilities for public utilities, law enforcement and unexploded ordinance training at the home campus or at customer-specified locations worldwide.
Texas A&M Task Force 1 and Texas Task Force 2, the state’s elite urban search and rescue teams, are sponsored by TEEX. Throughout its existence, TX-TF1 has served the state of Texas and the nation by participating in over 100 deployments, completing search and rescue missions with highly trained and qualified personnel.
As part of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium and home to the National Emergency Response and Recovery Training Center, TEEX has been leading homeland security training since 1998.
The major TEEX programs include fire and rescue, infrastructure and safety, law enforcement, economic and workforce development, and homeland security. As a member of The Texas A&M University System, TEEX is unique in its ability to access a broad range of emerging research and technical expertise. Beginning with course design and development all the way through hands-on instruction and national certification testing, TEEX delivers comprehensive training through both classroom and hands-on instruction and as online courses. Hosting services for online courses, technical assistance and technology validation, and bilingual training and translation services also are available.
By placing safety and well-being above all and by focusing on prevention and response, TEEX has become a comprehensive training provider through more than 80 years of extension training. Working with other agencies and encouraging involvement has led to better fire safety and emergency response, cleaner drinking water, better roads and infrastructure, improved homeland security, safer workplaces, heightened public safety and security, new therapeutics manufacturing and the evolution of cybersecurity.
Through innovative programs and adaptive outreach, TEEX services are created to train the people who expand the security, occupational and economic development of Texas and beyond.
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