Human Resources Specialist – Benefits & Leave (Part-Time)

Position: Human Resources Specialist Benefits & Leave (Part-Time)

Position Type: Part-Time 0.5 FTE

Schedule: 4 days per week 5 hours per day (20 hours per week) In-Person

Department: Office of Human Resources

Location: Central Office

Reports to: Director of Human Resources

Affiliation: Non-Aligned

Salary range: $38.46/hour ($40000.00 per year)

Eligible for Town retirement plan.

This is an anticipated position contingent upon approval of the school budget.

General Description:

The Human Resources Specialist Benefits & Leave supports the daily operations of the Human Resources department with primary responsibility for benefits administration leave management and employee support.

This role oversees all aspects of employee benefits and leaves of absence ensuring accurate administration and compliance with federal state and district policies. The HR Specialist partners closely with employees managers City Hall and external vendors to deliver a smooth and supportive employee experience. This position also serves as a trusted resource for staff and a strategic partner to leadership helping to foster a workplace culture grounded in equity inclusion and operational excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Benefits Administration
• Serve as the primary liaison with benefits carriers and the City of Watertown Auditors Office
• Administer health dental vision life and disability benefit programs
• Coordinate and lead open enrollment including employee communication and education
• Manage new hire enrollment and qualifying life event changes
• Assist employees with understanding and navigating their benefits
• Resolve benefits and claims issues in collaboration with carriers
• Leave of Absence Management
• Administer all leave programs including FMLA medical and discretionary leaves
• Coordinate with employees and third-party administrators on short- and long-term disability claims
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal state and district leave policies
• Maintain accurate and confidential leave records
• Time & Attendance / Accrual Management
• Maintain employee time and attendance records using the districts system (Frontline)
• Track and update time off balances accruals and usage accurately
• Manage accrual calculations and adjustments in accordance with district policies
• Oversee annual and periodic leave rollover processes across all bargaining units
• Audit time-off data regularly and resolve discrepancies
• Partner with payroll to ensure accurate reporting and processing
• Workers Compensation & Safety
• Report workplace injuries and manage workers compensation claims
• Coordinate return-to-work plans and transitional duty assignments
• Support incident reporting and documentation processes
• HR Operations & Employee Support
• Respond to employee inquiries and provide timely high-quality support
• Assist with onboarding-related benefits and documentation processes
• Support payroll inputs related to leave tracking and time-off coordination
• Maintain internal tracking tools for benefits leave and compliance
• Contribute to HR projects process improvements and policy updates

Qualifications Required:

• Minimum of 3 years of HR experience or related field
• Experience with benefits administration and leave management required
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace particularly Excel
• Working knowledge of employment laws including FMLA ADA and workers compensation
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• High level of discretion and confidentiality
• Strong customer service and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Preferred:

• Bachelors degree in Human Resources Business Administration or related field preferred
• Experience with MUNIS Frontline (AESOP) MIIA or PowerSchool is a plus

Physical Demands:

• Regularly required to sit stand walk talk hear operate a computer hand-held learning devices and other office equipment reach with hands and arms and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Watertown Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race color religion national origin pregnancy gender identity sexual orientation marital/civil union status ancestry place of birth age citizenship status veteran status political affiliation genetic information or disability as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.

Required Experience:

IC