Leave And Accommodation Advisor

Create a healthier, brighter future for pets, pet parents and people!
If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you.
Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what’s right for pets, people and our planet.

• We’re here to improve lives
• We’re welcome as we are
• We love all pets like our own
• We drive outstanding results together
• We’re the future of the pet industry

Petco is a category-defining health and wellness company focused on improving the lives of pets, pet parents and Petco partners. We are 29,000 strong, working together across 1,500+ pet care centers, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics, eight distribution centers and two support centers.
Position Purpose
Manages the life cycle of leave of absences to include eligibility, approval, extensions, return to work, and LOA-related separations. Review medical-related accommodation requests to make a determination for approval in order to support return-to-work and stay-at-home efforts; and to identify needs, develop long-range plans and initiatives, provide advice, and recommend appropriate practices. Regularly collaborates with managers, HR staff, Risk, Employee Relations and Legal as needed in managing accommodations. Provides support to the Manager, Leave of Absences and Accommodations to ensure that Accommodation and LOA programs operate according to federal, state and local law; and company guidelines.
Essential Job Functions
The incumbent must be able to perform all of the following duties and responsibilities with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Interprets and applies company policy and all local, state and federal regulations regarding leave of absence and accommodation; provides advice and counsel accordingly.
• Ensures all LOA cases are processed in compliance within company polices and with all local, state and federal regulations.
• Uses sound judgment in evaluating LOAA claims
• Communicates with partner and manager regarding requests, options, and outcomes.
• Develop and deliver LOA and Accommodation training to field HR and field Managers.
• Performs other related duties, tasks and responsibilities as required, assigned and directed.
• Ensures procedures and policies are compliant with all state and federal regulations.
• Keeps current on new developments in LOA and Accommodation regulations; keeps manager informed of any development and may recommend program amendments as a result of regulatory changes.
• Works with supervising managers and human resources to educate and implement job modifications/accommodations and coordinates implementation at the worksite.
• Processing of all leaves of absence (LOA) and Accommodation cases including coordination and administration of the tasks and processes between the partner, the partner’s manager, and HR business partners.
• Consults with human resources, Risk, and external resources as necessary
• Coordinates the processing of State Disability Insurance plan(s) (SDI/TDI) and Short-Term Disability (STD).
• Advises partners, managers and other HR staff on LOA procedures and processes.
• Assists manager in developing all communication materials associated LOAs. Works with appropriate parties for translation (i.e. Spanish) needs.
• Makes recommendations in regards to LOA related return to work, accommodations, and separations.
• Completes special projects as assigned.
• Trains Regional Leadership including DMs, GMs, and RHRPs on LOAA processes.

Nature of Supervision/Authority to Act

• Limited instruction and/or functional guidance is provided on some tasks to be performed and the results of individual projects may be reviewed upon completion. Incumbent is expected to respond to questions from all levels of personnel, troubleshooting and resolving issues concerning eligibility and coverage without regular guidance. In addition, some tasks may be assigned which may last for extended periods of time with limited supervisory guidance.
• Incumbent has general latitude to assist the Manager in compliance with company policies and procedures. Issues that fall outside policy or normal procedures should be directed to the Manager, as appropriate.
• Incumbent has wide latitude to prioritize and complete assigned tasks.
• Incumbent provides recommendations to manager for changes in procedure or policies.

Supervisory Responsibility
May provide training and guidance to other human resources positions and or field management.
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, from an accredited four-year college or university or equivalent work experience. Requires working knowledge of FMLA, ADA and state leave laws. Prior experience with direct LOA administration and management experience in a high volume environment.
Competencies

• Demonstrate Adaptability and Desire to Learn -- Works productively in the face of ambiguity or uncertainty. Demonstrates flexibility and resilience in response to obstacles, constraints, adversity, and mistakes. Constructively and resourcefully adapts to changing needs, conditions, priorities or opportunities. Seeks out opportunities to learn from new discoveries, innovations, ways of looking at things, knowledge, and ideas. Invites and incorporates feedback, without becoming defensive.
• Produce Results -- Initiates decisive, timely action to address important issues. Demonstrates a strong sense of ownership and a commitment to achieving meaningful results. Sets challenging, clear goals/targets and expectations for achieving business results. Drives initiatives/efforts to successful completion and closure. Takes personal responsibility to make decisions and take action.
• Use Professional Judgment -- Makes logical, rational, and integrative decisions, and arrives at sound conclusions. Chooses the best alternative(s) based on a review of pros, cons, tradeoffs, timing, and probabilities. Evaluates the consequences and implications of alternatives, actions, or decisions (e.g., impact on sales, returns, customer loyalty). Makes timely decisions, balancing analysis with decisiveness.
• Satisfy the Customer -- Identifies and anticipates customer requirements, expectations, and needs. Seeks feedback from customers to identify improvement opportunities. Follows up with customers to ensure problems are solved. Continually searches for ways to improve customer service (including the removal of barriers, and providing solutions).
• Plan and Execute -- Develops realistic plans (e.g., action steps, timelines) to accomplish objectives. Acquires and leverages resources, processes, and tools to achieve business goals. Prioritizes and balances time, actions, and projects to ensure accomplishment of results. Holds him/herself and team accountable for outcomes (e.g., achieving goals and complying with policies and procedures). Anticipates and addresses obstacles, redirecting efforts to accelerate the work or improve quality.
• Perform Professional Analysis -- Integrates information from a variety of sources to arrive at a broader understanding of issues (e.g., company reports plus in-store observations).Defines issues clearly despite incomplete or ambiguous information. Identifies the key issues in complex or ambiguous problems. Approaches problems or issues systematically, looking for connections, trends, and potential causes. Probes and looks past symptoms to determine the underlying causes of problems and issues.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Ability to work in a team environment
• Working knowledge of return to work (RTW) or job accommodation procedures
• General knowledge of typical process and procedures used in the administration of leaves of absence.
• Ability to analyze unique situations and develop solutions to fairly complex accommodation issues.
• Demonstrated ability to work in an organized and efficient manner to accurately complete assignments on time.
• Ability to type and use a computer keyboard.
• In depth knowledge of relevant state and federal leave of absence laws including but not limited to PDL, FMLA, CFRA, MLOA—including the interaction of all laws.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including presentation skills.
• Ability to use MS Work, Excel and Powerpoint at an intermediate level.
• Ability to multi-task and detail oriented.
• Ability to analyze unique LOA and RTW situations and recommend appropriate resolution.

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, use hands to finger and to perform simple grasping. Occasionally required to life and/or carry up to 20 pounds. Required by this job to have close vision abilities and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
Operates in a normal office environment or remote. While performing the duties of this job on-site, the employee is typically in a climate controlled office environment where the sound level is quiet. The incumbent may occasionally drive a car, and may occasionally be exposed to dust, fumes or chemicals and outside weather conditions.
Contacts
Interacts with other employees at all levels. May periodically exchange and/or obtain information from persons external to PETCO, e.g., TPA representatives, etc.
Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.