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HR Lead - Leaves and Benefits

Legal Counsel for Youth and Children, Seattle, WA, United States


HR Lead – Leaves and Benefits

– Human Resources Department (HRD) – Washington State Bar Association (WSBA)

Salary Range: $70,936.51 to $70,936.51 + Washington State Employee Benefits and Retirement. FLSA: Full-time, Non-Exempt. Work Location: Hybrid/Primarily Remote within Washington State.

Priority consideration will be given to applications received by 4/13/2026.

Purpose and Position Summary
The HR Lead – Leaves and Benefits (“HR Lead”) is a member of the WSBA Human Resources team. Under the direction of the HR Director, this position leads and supports specific functions of the HR department, including benefits, leave, records management, and aspects of the employee life cycle including recognition and back up for other departmental generalist duties. This position assists with ensuring compliance with HR policies and procedures, HRIS system accuracy of personnel information, and support for all WSBA staff.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities
Leave Administration

Process and administer all leave-of-absence requests including medical, personal, disability, and FMLA. Track WA PFML leaves and claims

Use ADP TAM (Total Absence Management) module to administer and track leaves

Effectively interprets FMLA, WA PFML, and ADA implications as they relate to leaves of absences and disabilities

Assist employees with inquiries and options related to leave requests, communicate with Managers and assist with time and attendance entries as appropriate

Partner with HR Team members on workplace accommodations, temporary staffing, and other needs related to an employee’s leave or return to work

Oversee sick leave donation program

Assist with company‑wide communications regarding leave updates, training, and reminders

Audit bi‑weekly timecards for completion prior to Payroll processing

Benefits Administration

Assist with the administration of all benefits programs, including medical, dental, life, and LTD Insurance, which includes:

Enter and ensure the accuracy of all benefits selections and eligibility for new employees and any changes for existing employees in the HCA system (Benefits 24/7).

Enter all health benefits terminations for separating employees into the HCA system as they occur.

Assist employees and respond to inquiries about benefits issues, plan changes, and status changes

Audit monthly invoices from HCA to ensure all changes are accurately charged

Educating staff, communicating changes, maintaining records, and other benefit related actions

Plan and administer annual Open Enrollment period and administer Special Open Enrollments

Preparation and distribution of materials, conduct meetings to communicate changes to employees, communicate with benefits provider (HCA), and process changes within deadlines.

Fringe benefits – administer the following programs and support staff with questions

Transportation benefits - tracking and maintaining ORCA cards and staff parking passes

Meal credits – administer company corporate food delivery account

Remote work allowances – internet, cell phone, and home office set up

Maintain and update employee personnel, payroll, and benefits records in HRIS systems and WSBA files

Partner with HR Team members on DRS retirement plan enrollments and changes

Retirement - Coordinate life cycle changes (onboarding through offboarding) to retirement plans with the DRS (e.g., PERS, DCP)

Recognition and Training Programs

Recognition

Administer WSBAs recognition programs

Purchasing awards, tracking and providing budget updates

Training

In conjunction with the HR Director, provide org-wide training on leaves and benefits

Registering staff in training modules upon request

Data and Records Management

Run and analyze monthly reports in ADP (HRIS)

Assist with management of the WSBA HR files, which includes:

Employee personnel files (active and archived), employee records, including I-9 verifications and service anniversaries, and updating WSBA organization charts

Maintain employee hire, promotion, and termination rosters

Assist with tracking, due date compliance, and maintenance filing of employee documentation in employee and payroll files

Respond to external verification of employment requests

Maintain intranet (BLINK) and internet (WSBA.org) webpages with HR related content and maintain a public HR folder for general access by WSBA staff

Monitor and respond to inquiries in the HR inbox, triaging issues and partnering with HR team members as appropriate

Org wide communications – weekly HR newsletter

Back-up HR duties

Provide full backup HR generalist duties for teammates including but not limited to recruiting, employee life cycle administration, and performance review management.

Other duties

Perform other duties as assigned, including special projects as assigned by the HR Director

Education Required

Bachelor’s degree in human resources or equivalent experience

Education Preferred

PHR or SPHR Certification

Experience Required

Minimum of 5 or more years of experience performing HR Generalist work (HR Degree may substitute for two years of experience)

Experience Preferred

Experience working in a nonprofit, government, or legal environment.

Experience with ADP, HCA, DRS, and various HR database platforms.

Experience administering public government benefits programs.

Competencies (Skills/Abilities) Required

Strong organizational skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Ability to work under time constraints, meet deadlines and ensure accuracy of work

High degree of proficiency in current Microsoft Office applications using Windows, with an aptitude and willingness to learn new technology

Ability to learn and use internal and external HRIS systems

Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of HR as a professional discipline and/or technical specialty to the position

Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks

Effectively manages time and resources in order to maintain, improve, and address needs of client groups

Demonstrates ability to diagnose problems, identify and communicate processes, and offer potential solutions to internal and external clients

Knowledge of WA State and Federal laws, and Human Resource practices

Confidentiality, tact, judgment and discretion

Ability to audit and maintain administrative and personnel files

Enthusiastic about helping to foster a culture of inclusion, with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Working Conditions: This is a hybrid position and must be flexible to work onsite in Seattle (occasionally up to 3 times per month as needed), and travel within WA state as deemed necessary (up to 2 times a year), or as required. This position may also have the option to work in‑office. For hybrid work, must have an adequate home/work environment and internet access, for performing work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature. Staff are required to use a personal mobile device for multifactor authentication.

Employment with the Washington State Bar Association mandates that WSBA Staff must reside within the State of Washington at the time of hire, and during active employment status. The WSBA office is everyone’s primary location while working for the WSBA regardless of where staff may reside within Washington. WSBA does not offer fully remote positions and reserves the right to require employees to work in‑person and on‑site at the WSBA headquarters or at any worksite necessary to fulfill job duties.

The essential functions of the job that must be performed, with or without a reasonable accommodation: This position must be able to regularly work five days per week in an office type environment (remote or in office), possess the ability to primarily sit/stand and use a computer, and lift/push/pull items weighing up to 25 pounds. Must be able to operate a computer keyboard, and other standard office equipment (e.g., printer/scanner/fax/telephone). This position must be able to read, write, and speak with others in English.

WSBA Benefits Include

State of Washington Retirement system (DRS/PERS), including an optional Deferred Compensation Plan (DRS/DCP).

Medical benefits (including Rx) through the WA Healthcare Authority, with WSBA paying a majority of the premium cost.

100% paid premiums for employee Dental and Vision.

Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance Plans.

Generous Paid Time Off Benefits (sick, vacation, holiday, float, emergency leave).

Transportation incentives, based on primary work selection requirements.

Allowance to set up a home office, based on a primary remote work selection.

Free Employee Assistance Program, and National Employee Discount Program.

Interested and qualified candidates must apply online and submit the following required materials: both a comprehensive professional cover letter and resume. Applications submitted without a cover letter can be considered incomplete.

The WSBA is committed to fostering a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

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