Senior Human Resources Manager

Salary/Position Classification

• $70,000,dependent on experience, annual, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• This position will work onsite the Grand Forks, ND campus.

Purpose of Position

The Senior HR Manager is responsible for administering and managing employee leave and accommodation processes in compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and applicable state and local laws. This role serves as a subject matter expert, ensuring consistent, compliant, and employee-centered leave and accommodation practices. Additionally, they will assist in supporting various divisions as directed by the Assistant Director of Human Resources for VP Marketing & Communications (VPMC), VP Student Affairs (VPSA), and VP Research & Economic Development (VPRED), and some areas within VP Finance & Operations (FPFO).

This position provides dedicated HR support and develops close working relationships with the administrators, senior leadership, faculty, staff, and student employees collaboratively to understand and support their business objectives.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Manages the medical leave of absence process for all faculty and staff. 
  • Serve as the primary administrator and subject matter expert for employee medical leaves, including Family and Medical Leave Act, medical leave, parental leave, and applicable state or institutional leave programs, policies and laws. Providing guidance and explaining the process to ensure understanding of their rights and responsibilities.
  • Receive and review FMLA leave requests, ensuring complete and accurate documentation is provided by employees and supervisors.
  • Review and evaluate medical certifications and documentation to determine eligibility, designation, duration, and applicable protections in compliance with federal , state, and university policy and law.
  • Issues required notices, eligibility determinations, designation letters, and correspondence withing mandated timelines.
  • Coordinate and communicate with employees, supervisors, and HR team members to facilitate the timely and smooth processing of FMLA leave requests.
  • Assist departments to monitor and track FMLA leave usage, ensuring compliance with leave entitlements and any applicable state or federal regulations.
  • Provide ongoing training and education to managers and employees on FMLA leave policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
  • Stay updated on changes in FMLA regulations and industry trends, ensuring the organization's compliance and recommending any necessary adjustments to policies or procedures to the Associate Vice President for Human Resources (AVPHR)
  • Coordinate and partner with external vendors, such as healthcare providers and legal professionals, as needed to support the administration of FMLA leave.
  • Review and approved shared leave requests. Collaborate with UND Payroll Coordinator to track and monitor shared leave.
• ADA & reasonable accommodations  
  • Performs intake interviews to gain a foundational understanding of individual needs and evaluates information from medical and/or psychological professionals to determine eligibility
  • Works with individuals to determine reasonable accommodations needed for academic, professional and/or personal success
  • Educates students, families, faculty and staff on appropriate services for and communications with individuals with disabilities
  • Assists individuals with solving obstacles unique and/or common to individuals with disabilities
  • Increases understanding regarding issues affecting individuals with disabilities by delivering presentations, trainings, workshops and/or educational materials related to research and best practices.
  • Records interactions with individuals with disabilities and analyzes effectiveness of accommodations
  • Maintains confidentiality of university and student records, as applicable
  • Perform case management and coordinate the accommodation process for short-and long-term accommodations for employees at work or returning to work from a medical leave of absence.
  • Assess risk, resolve issues, and escalate cases as appropriate
  • Coordinate efforts with and provide guidance to employees, divisional human resources leaders, managers, etc. to develop and provide employees with effective and reasonable accommodation, including transitional work assignments.
  • Communicate and document the transition work assignment plan, accommodation, or inability to accommodate to all appropriate parties.
  • Provide guidance and educate employees, managers and HR on complex aspects of return to work accommodations and case management processes.
  • Develop and maintain reports for trends, statistics, etc.
• Collaborates with Assistant Director of Human Resources on various HR related responsibilities. 
  • Assists with managing recruiting, staffing, hiring, and payroll process for employees in VP Marketing & Communications (VPMC), VP Student Affairs (VPSA), and VP Research & Economic Development (VPRED), VP Finance & Operations (FPFO)
  • Employee relations services to VPSA, VPMC, VPFO and VPRED regarding staff positions
• Unemployment and other leaves 
  • Leave processing for military leave and unpaid leave of absence requests
  • Educate employees on leave options
  • Monitor UND compliance with leave policies and procedures
• Unemployment
• Respond to unemployment claims sent by various states
• Research the submitted claims and respond appropriately to the various claims in a timely manner
• Represent UND when necessary in administrative hearings
• Fitness for duty coordination
  • Work with departments on the process and determination if employee can perform the essential functions of the position

Required Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational and case management abilities
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with empathy, discretion and confidentiality
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and negotiation skills

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• 7 years of Human Resources generalist experience with direct responsibility for FMLA and ADA administration, employee relations, etc.
• Experience working professionally in Human Resources with employment laws related to leave, disability, and accommodations.
• Experience working with HRIS systems
• Proficient experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP, or similar)
• Experience with multi-state leave administration
• Experience with ND State Board of Higher Education Policies, North Dakota University System Policies and Procedures and UND Policies and Procedures
• Experience working with leave administration software
• Experience working with unemployment claims