Hybrid MANAGER ABSENCE MANAGEMENT at Atlanta Public Schools

POSITION SUMMARY

The Absence Management Manager provides policy guidance and operational oversight for the district’s absence management function, including the administration of employee leaves, FMLA, ADA, and related accommodations. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and district policies while supporting a culture of care, equity, and operational excellence. The manager serves as the primary liaison between staff and administrators regarding absence-related issues and leads a team responsible for consistently tracking, accurately communicating, and resolving employee leave cases and insurance claims.

• EDUCATION
  • Bachelor’s degree in human resources, social work, business administration, or a related field required; master’s degree preferred.
  • Experience may be considered in lieu of education.
• CERTIFICATION:
  • Professional Human Resources certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or pHCLE) preferred
  • Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for off-site meetings as needed.
• WORK EXPERIENCE:
  • Minimum of 5 years of progressive HR experience, with specific expertise in absence management (FMLA, ADA, and related leaves)
  • Supervisory or team leadership experience required
  • Experience in a K–12 or public sector environment preferred.

• Strong knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations (e.g., FMLA, ADA, EEOC).
• Experience analyzing HR data and using metrics to inform strategy and decision-making.
• Strong leadership, team management, and coaching skills..
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders across the organization and influence outcomes through data and relationship-building.
• Effective at managing multiple priorities and projects from initiation to completion with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality and exercise sound ethical judgment.
• Proficiency in troubleshooting and problem-solving with an ability to develop and recommend viable solutions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to draft formal documentation and reports and deliver presentations.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and other business productivity applications.

• Oversees the coordination, communication, and compliance of employee leave requests, including FMLA, ADA, military leave, workers’ compensation, and other absence types.

• Manages a team responsible for absence tracking, claims administration, and policy enforcement.
• Ensures staff are trained and compliant with legal requirements and internal protocols.

• Interprets and applies federal, state, and district policies, including FMLA, ADA, EEOC guidance, and Board regulations.
• Audits practices and documentation for consistency and legal compliance.

• Serves as a subject matter expert and resource to employees, administrators, and employee representative organizations (EROs) on absence-related matters.
• Collaborates with legal, benefits, and payroll teams.

• Analyzes absence trends and claim data to identify risks and opportunities.
• Prepares reports and dashboards, and assists in recommending procedural or policy adjustments as needed.

• Reviews and interprets proposed legislation affecting employee leaves and absence-related programs; recommends appropriate responses.

• Coordinates with insurance providers and third-party administrators to ensure timely and accurate claim resolution.
• Escalates complex or high-risk cases as needed.

• Attends and represents the department in internal meetings and hearings related to employee leaves and accommodations.

• Ensures readiness and responsiveness during high-leave periods and emergencies.
• Maintains process documentation and ensures team capacity aligns with district needs.

• Maintains the highest level of confidentiality with sensitive employee and financial data.

• Completes additional tasks and projects as assigned.

Vision: Ability to read small print and view a computer screen for prolonged periods.

Hearing: Ability to tolerate exposure to noisy conditions

Speech: Ability to be understood in face-to-face communications, to speak with a level of proficiency and volume to be understood over a telephone or computer.

Upper Body Mobility: Ability to use hands to grasp and manipulate small objects; manipulate fingers, twist and bend at wrist and elbow; extend arms to reach outward and upward; use hands and arms to lift objects; turn, raise, and lower head.

Strength: Ability to lift, push, pull and/or carry objects which weigh as much as 15 or more pounds on a frequent basis.

Environmental Requirements: Ability to encounter constant work interruptions; work cooperatively with others; work independently; work indoors.

Mental Requirements: Ability to read, write, understand, interpret and apply information at a moderately complex level essential for successful job performance; math skills at a high school proficiency level; judgement and the ability to process information quickly; learn quickly and follow verbal procedures and standards; give verbal instruction; rank tasks in order of importance; copy, compare, compile and coordinate information and records. Understand how to manage stress

Additional Work Conditions & Physical Abilities:  Will require travel to multiple sites.

The Atlanta Public School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status in any of its employment practices, educational programs, services or activities.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties. 

This job description is intended to accurately reflect the duties, responsibilities and requirements of the position.  It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.  Management and administration reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary. 

COMPENSATION:
Salary Grade: I33
Salary Range: APS Compensation Scale
Work Year: ANNUAL (252 days)