Senior HR Specialist

ABOUT THE SCHOOL:

Located in the heart of Oakland, Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children is a one-of-a-kind educational experience committed to empowering our students to realize their full potential. The School also provides vital early intervention and outreach services to visually impaired students, with or without additional challenges, throughout western Pennsylvania. Founded in 1887, our School is best equipped to care for and educate students with visual impairments. As a private institution chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the School educates approximately 200 enrolled students from 80-85 school districts within western Pennsylvania.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Human Resources Specialist serves as a senior-level subject matter expert in employee leaves, ADA accommodations, and employee relations within a school setting. In addition to managing complex, compliance-sensitive cases, this role leads and supports HR projects, including the rollout and optimization of HR systems, processes, and workflows. The position requires advanced technical skills, strong project management abilities, and exceptional organizational discipline.This role operates with a high degree of independence and regularly advises HR leadership on matters with legal, financial, and operational impact.

RESPONSIBILITIES:         

Leave Administration 

• Administer and oversee employee leaves, including FMLA, medical leaves, workers’ compensation leaves, and school specific leave provisions
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employees and administrators regarding leave eligibility, documentation, timelines, and return-to-work processes
• Review medical certifications and ensure compliance with applicable laws, board policy, and collective bargaining agreements
• Track leave usage accurately and coordinate with payroll and benefits to ensure proper coding and continuation of benefits

ADA & Accommodations

• Manage the interactive process for ADA accommodations, including reviewing medical documentation and determining reasonable accommodations
• Collaborate with administrators to assess essential job functions and operational feasibility
• Monitor accommodations for effectiveness and compliance
• Ensure consistent application of ADA practices across employee groups

Employee Relations & Compliance

• Provide guidance to administrators on attendance concerns, leave-related performance issues, and policy application
• Support investigations and documentation related to leave misuse, attendance, and compliance matters
• Maintain accurate, confidential employee records and case documentation
• Ensure HR practices align with employment laws, board policies, and collective bargaining agreements

Collaboration & Training

• Serve as a resource to administrators and staff on leave, ADA, and workers’ compensation topics
• Assist with training and communication related to employee attendance, leave rights, and compliance obligations
• Collaborate closely with HR leadership, payroll, benefits, and legal counsel as needed

Project Management & Systems Support

• Lead and support HR-related projects, including system implementations, process improvements, and workflow redesign
• Assist with the rollout, configuration, and ongoing optimization of HR systems and technology platforms
• Develop and maintain organized tracking systems, documentation, timelines, and standard operating procedures
• Analyze current HR processes and recommend improvements to increase efficiency, accuracy, and compliance
• Coordinate with internal departments, vendors, and external partners to support successful project execution
• Provide training, guidance, and documentation to ensure consistent use of systems and processes

Technical & Organizational Leadership

• Maintain highly organized, auditable records related to leave, accommodations, and workers’ compensation cases
• Utilize HRIS and related systems to track data, generate reports, and support decision-making
• Ensure data accuracy, system integrity, and consistent application of procedures
• Serve as a technical resource within the HR department for system functionality and process design

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience, with specialized expertise in leaves and ADA
• Demonstrated experience leading or supporting HR projects, system implementations, or process redesign
• Strong technical proficiency with HRIS platforms and data tracking systems
• Experience in a public school district or unionized environment strongly preferred
• Advanced organizational and documentation skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Capability to obtain clearances for Acts 34, 114, and 151 (state and federal background, and child abuse clearances)

Skills & Competencies

• Advanced technical and systems aptitude
• Strong project management and process improvement skills
• Exceptional organization and follow-through
• Ability to manage multiple complex priorities independently
• Clear, confident communication with administrators and staff
• High level of discretion and professional judgment