Benefits Leave Specialist
Sparks Group
Hyattsville, MD
We are seeking a highly skilled Leave Specialist with deep expertise in administering and coordinating employee leave programs in a complex, fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate has a strong background in FMLA, ADA accommodations, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), Workers’ Compensation, Short-Term Disability (STD), Long-Term Disability (LTD), and other statutory and organizational leave programs. This role handles sensitive employee situations, ensures compliance with federal and state requirements, and supports both employees and managers throughout the leave lifecycle.
Responsibilities:
- Administer FMLA from initial employee request through return-to-work, including determining eligibility, designating leave, requesting and reviewing medical certifications, and maintaining required documentation.
- Ensure all FMLA processes comply with Department of Labor (DOL) rules and regulations.
- Coordinate leave related to ADA accommodations, including managing work restrictions and supporting temporary job adjustments or transitional duty assignments.
- Manage leave laws and programs including PWFA, Workers’ Compensation, STD, LTD, and state or local leave entitlements as applicable.
- Maintain ongoing communication with employees on leave to support smooth, timely, and compliant transitions back to work.
- Collaborate with internal partners—including occupational health, disability management, HR, and operational leadership—on safe and appropriate return-to-work plans.
- Coordinate transitional/light duty assignments when medically appropriate, ensuring alignment with restrictions and safety requirements.
- Interpret and apply federal, state, and local leave laws to ensure consistent and compliant administration.
- Track and manage all leave cases accurately within HR systems.
- Maintain confidentiality and ensure timely communication with employees, managers, and supporting departments.
Qualifications/Background Profile:
- Strong professional experience administering FMLA, ADA, PWFA, STD, LTD, Workers’ Compensation, and related leave programs.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply DOL FMLA regulations.
- Experience supporting employees and managers in a large, fast-paced, complex environment.
- Exceptional case management, documentation, and communication skills.
- High attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple leave cases simultaneously.
- Ability to maintain professionalism and discretion when handling sensitive employee matters.
- HR or leave-related certifications preferred but not required.
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This job is In-Person.
Pay Range: Hourly $45.00 to $47.00
We offer several comprehensive benefits package including health and life insurance, paid and unpaid time off, and retirement and savings plans to qualifying employees.
Download the Sparks Group mobile app from Apple App Store or Google Play.
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Sparks Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, citizenship, family status, genetic information, disability, or protect veteran status.
About the Company
Sparks Group
Bringing the Best People and the Best Companies Together Since 1970.
Sparks Group (formerly SPARKS, Sparks IT Solutions, and Sparks Personnel) is the Washington DC Area's leading temporary staffing and full-time recruiting services provider. Whether you are seeking your next opportunity or looking to add talent, Sparks Group is the ideal partner for you! Each of our four divisions (Sparks Office, Sparks Accounting & Finance, Sparks IT, and Sparks Creative) specializes in placing professionals in temporary/contract, temporary-to-full-time, and full-time roles across a diverse array of staffing categories, positions and levels including: office/administrative, customer service, human resources and talent acquisition, legal support, government and cleared personnel, mortgage/banking, accounting and finance, contracts and procurement, information technology and creative/marketing.
Sparks Group brings over four decades of experience placing professionals in challenging and rewarding positions at many of the area’s most prestigious organizations. Our primary focus is presenting opportunities that match each candidate’s skill-sets, experience levels, career objectives, and growth needs. Sparks Group has regularly ranked as one of the top US staffing and recruiting firms having been named to Inavero’s Best of Staffing Lists® for Client and Employee Satisfaction (2012-2017). Additionally, Sparks Group is proud to have been recently selected for other awards Staffing Industry Analysts’ 2017 Best Staffing Firms to Work For, Washington Business Journal Best Places to Work (2017), the Washington Post’s Top Workplaces® List (2017, 2014), Forbes® Best Professional Recruiting Firms (2017), and the National Capital Business Ethics Award.