Manager

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s Core Values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The Manager of ADA & Leaves will coordinate and administer all aspects of employee leaves to ensure compliance with company policies, federal and state leave regulations, while providing instruction, guidance and excellent customer service to employees, managers, and human resources professionals. This position will also be responsible for performance management and supervision of professional level leave personnel and third-party administrator (TPA).

Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise all aspects of the MBTA Leave Units personnel.
• Oversee the full administration of the MBTA's leave of absence program delivery including, Sick Leave, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Small Necessities Leave Act (SNLA), Domestic Violence Leave (DVL) Policy, COVID leave including Massachusetts Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL), maternity, military, personal leaves of absence, and any leave of absence programs provided by law, and MBTA policy, or collective bargaining agreement insuring compliance with same.
• Counsel and educate employees on all applicable MBTA leave of absence policies, forms, systems, and practices.
• Develop performance measurement criteria and measure financial and non-financial success of the TPA.
• Manage TPA effectiveness in improving employee availability through proactive case management and implementation of innovative leave management programs.
• Provide staff with instruction on how to handle difficult claims. Works with Legal counsel, Labor Relations, Workers Compensation, and EAP as necessary.
• Evaluate current Leave policies and procedures to determine if revisions are necessary due to administrative priorities, legislation, and collective bargaining or to improve operational efficiencies.
• Design, modify and implement all leave related policies and programs.
• Keep abreast of medical leave and related leave statutory/regulatory changes, advisories, and best practices.
• Develop and conduct training to ensure MBTA employees and managers understand MBTA Leave policies and procedures.
• Maintain standards to ensure compliance of communications that occur throughout the leave process
• Review and monitor the work of the Leave Units for customer service, timeliness, accuracy, completeness, and conformance with all Human Resources related policies and programs.
• Design, modify, and implement all leave-related policies and programs. Work with outside contractors and consultants as necessary.
• Compile and maintain documents and reports pertaining to Employee Availability and Leave Unit activities.
• Coordinate with managers, Labor Relations, Legal and other departments regarding Leave related activities and case management.
• Investigate possible instances of abuse, review with outside counsel and TPA, and recommendation for a plan of action.
• Work with department managers to implement and monitor programs to improve employee availability.
• Audit systems, processes, and procedures to ensure consistent and accurate leave practices.
• Assist in the development and implementation of new information systems for the Leave Unit.
• Assist in the administration of all human resources related programs and services. Respond to customer, employee, and vendor inquiries in a professional and courteous manner.
• Uphold the rights and interests of MBTA while building and maintaining an effective relationship with employees.
• Assist in the management of a workforce by ensuring the fair and consistent application and strict adherence to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable) and policies of MBTA including the EEO, Antidiscrimination and Antiharassment and Antiretaliation policies.
• The ability to supervise and work effectively with a diverse workforce.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Supervision

• Supervises individual contributors.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Five (5) years of experience managing and/or administrating leave of absence programs.
• One (1) year supervisory, managerial, and/or leadership experience.
• Effective organizational, analytical, confidentiality, quantitative, multitasking and time management skills.
• Ability to prioritize work.
• The ability to use Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, PeopleSoft, or mainframe applications.
• The ability to pass: background screenings; and the MBTA’s medical requirements, including a physical examination and drug and alcohol screening.
• The ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in an appropriate manner.
• Excellent customer service, interpersonal, presentation and conflict resolution skills. Ability to provide internal and external customers with a courteous and professional experience.

Substitutions Include

• A high school diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• An Associate’s degree from an accredited institution and an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• A Master’s degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one (1) year of experience.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Human Resources, Business, Communications, or a related field.
• Additional years of experience handling leave of absence programs. Experience managing a leave program TPA.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting their positions and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.

• Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.

• Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.

• Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.

• Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.

• Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.

• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.

• On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.

• Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.

• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or [email protected].

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.

• Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.