DEPT OF EMERGENCY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS

Work Location: Papago Park Military Reservation (PPMR), Phoenix, AZ

Salary: $19.4691 - $27.1410 per hour (DOE) 

Grade: 20

Closing Date: December 24, 2024

This HR Benefits and Leave Analyst position is responsible for administering the agency's leaves of absence policies and providing guidance and counsel to DEMA employees and managers. This includes performing administrative functions related to FMLA, military leave of absence, and unpaid leaves of absence (LWOP). This position serves as the agency point of contact for all related inquiries and determinations and will provide advice, guidance and counsel to DEMA employees and managers. This position exercises independent judgment in the coordination and administration of all aspects of employee leave to ensure compliance with all federal/state laws and regulations as well as all agency policies and procedures. This position also serves as the agency Benefits Liaison and will be responsible for the administration of and providing information to management and/or employees about state employee benefits including health insurance, the Arizona State Retirement System, Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and oversees DEMA's employee rewards and recognition programs. Actively participates in promoting a continuous improvement workplace culture, through the use of team work, root cause problem solving, standard operating procedures, and use of performance metrics. This position will work on site at the Arizona National Guard Papago Park Military Facility as well as attends and presents information at in person meetings which may include in state travel.

Responsibilities include:
• Serves as the point of contact for medical leave (FMLA and non-FMLA) requests and inquiries. Assist employees with paperwork, send required notification letters, review and determine eligibility for FMLA including certification/recertification; ensure compliance with FMLA regulations and agency policy. Provides communication throughout the FMLA leave application process, period of leave and return to work. Coordinate with employee and supervisors to ensure proper timekeeping. Assists in the development and delivery of training for FMLA and medically related absences for the agency; educate employees and managers on FMLA and medical absence policies, process and procedures.
• Serves as the Benefit Liaison for DEMA employees, leads and provides guidance and direction regarding open enrollment, premiums and change request. Prepares correspondence related to billing and submits appropriate documents to ensure the agency and employee are in compliance with benefits policies. Consults with ADOA Benefits, as needed. Tracks and notifies HR Manager of employees who meet ASRS 20/20 rule. Completes related HRIS data entry for all benefits actions. Leads the planning and implementation of the agency's wellness and benefits events. Analyzes wage and salary reports and makes recommendations regarding salary placement for all HR hiring transactions. Ensures that ADOA compensation strategies are appropriately implemented through the Department's compensation plan. Utilizing the theories and concepts of the Arizona Management System provides oversight to HR staff in the development and maintenance of HR analytics and metrics and presents HR analytics and metrics information to executive staff.
• Provides assistance to employees and supervisors in submitting Leave Without Pay (LWOP) and military leave requests, and worker compensation restricted duty and/or return to work. Creates and maintains databases to monitor employees on leave, tracks USERRA entitlement, status for return to work and leave balances to ensure compliance with the program policy. Monitors time records and manages the Annual Leave Donation (ALD) program. Provides information and guidance to management and/or employees about reasonable accommodation requests, short term and long-term disability and other related personnel matters. Completes all associated data entry and maintains applicable records.
• Serves as the agency's American with Disabilities Act (ADA) point of contact and manages all ADA requests for accommodation to include facilitating the interactive process and ensuring the agency's process are compliant with all State/ Federal laws.
• Oversees the DEMA's Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) to include performing the duties of the local board secretary which ensures that the agency is compliant with A.R.S 38-847 Local Boards and all applicable PSPRS rules and regulations.
• Manages the agency's employee reward and recognition program to include, the employee assistance program (EAP), wellness program (HIP), years of service celebrations, and the AZ National Guard's Annual Civilians, Airmen, and Soldiers of the year event.

Knowledge of:
• FMLA rules and regulations
• Short Term/Long Term disability
• Forms and/or documents required for medical actions
• ADOA State Personnel System Rules as they related to FMLA, LWOP, MLWOP and Workers' Compensation
• Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
• Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS)
• Uniformed Service Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
• Industry best practices on work assignment and ability to perform essential functions as defined by Position Description
• Human Resources Information System (HRIS)
• Office equipment and their uses/functions
• Computer software programs such as Google Office Suite, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook), Internet explorer
• Personnel, employee and management relations processes and procedures

Skilled in:
• Establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships
• Research and analyzing documentation to determine proper action required
• Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing
• Conflict resolution
• Use of databases to input, track and retrieve information and provide reports as requested
• Prioritizing work to achieve maximum results and quality output
• Organizing files/folders for ease in retrieving documentation or guiding others to useful resources Providing excellent customer service to all levels within the organization
• Managing workload, multi-tasking and using resources efficiently and effectively

Ability to:
• Self-accountable to time management and closing out assignments by established deadlines
• Plan and make independent decisions; Establish priorities and complete actions timely and accurately
• Work in a fast-paced environment and change work agenda/priorities frequently
• Communicate effectively with all levels of personnel within and outside of the organization
• Interact with a wide variety of entities and stakeholders
• Interpret policies and procedures clearly and assure content is understood
• Monitor, track and follow up on action items
• Maintain confidentiality regarding medical records/documents
• Appropriately follow and/or create standard operating procedures related to assigned responsibilities

Desired qualifications include any combination of experience, education, and training that meets the knowledge, skills, and abilities as described. At least three years of progressively responsible experience in Human Resources and FMLA and/or college level coursework in human resources, business, and/or other relevant fields of study; Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and/or Society for Human Resources Certified Professional (SHRM-CP).

Special Job Requirements:
• This position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver's license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.)
• In State travel required.
• Individuals are required to pass a criminal background investigation.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Eligible DEMA employees participate in excellent retirement programs provided by the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and for fire personnel the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS).

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact hr@azdema.gov.
DEMA is a smoke-free work environment.
ADA/EEO Employer
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation Employer