Senior Workers Compensation Specialist

The Senior LOA & ADA Specialist is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of employee leave of absence, ADA accommodations and worker's compensation cases ensuring consistent, compliant, and well-documented execution across all cases.

This role serves as a subject matter expert in leave administration and the ADA interactive process, with a strong focus on risk mitigation, process adherence, and high-quality case management. The Specialist will partner closely with managers, ER, and cross-functional teams to ensure timely handling of employee medical matters and appropriate return-to-work outcomes.

This position requires a high level of judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to manage complex and sensitive situations in a fast-paced, multi-state environment. In addition, this role requires someone who can navigate ambiguity, remain flexible as processes evolve, and bring strong subject matter expertise to help shape a best-in-class, “white glove” service approach that is efficient, seamless, and highly supportive to both employees and managers.

Key Responsibilities:

Worker's Compensation Administration:

• Manage end-to-end worker’s compensation cases, including injury reporting, claim coordination, and return-to-work outcomes
• Serve as the primary point of contact between employees, managers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators (TPAs)
• Ensure timely and compliant reporting of workplace injuries in accordance with state-specific regulations
• Coordinate medical treatment through approved providers and track ongoing work status updates
• Review and interpret medical documentation, including restrictions and fitness-for-duty determinations
• Partner with managers to implement and monitor modified duty and transitional work assignments
• Proactively manage lost time and ensure alignment between worker’s compensation, LOA, and ADA processes
• Investigate claims as needed, including gathering incident details, statements, and supporting documentation
• Collaborate with Payroll to ensure accurate wage statements and proper benefit coordination
• Monitor claim progress, identify risks, and escalate complex or high-exposure cases as appropriate
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and ensure adherence to internal SOPs and regulatory requirements

Leave of Absence (LOA) Administration

• Manage end-to-end administration of all leave programs, including FMLA, CFRA, state leaves, and company policies
• Determine eligibility, issue required notices, and track leave timelines and job protection requirements
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all leave cases
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employees on leave, ensuring clear and consistent communication
• Partner with Payroll to ensure proper tracking and pay coordination

ADA Accommodations & Interactive Process

• Lead the ADA interactive process from initiation through resolution
• Review medical documentation and assess functional limitations
• Partner with managers to evaluate and implement reasonable accommodations
• Facilitate conversations with employees and leadership to identify viable solutions
• Ensure all decisions are well-documented, including rationale and alternatives considered
• Identify and escalate complex or high-risk cases as needed

Case Management & Return-to-Work

• Manage the full lifecycle of cases from initial request through return to work or separation
• Ensure ADA review is conducted for all applicable cases, including leave exhaustion and work restrictions
• Coordinate return-to-work plans, including modified duty or transitional arrangements
• Maintain consistent communication with employees and stakeholders throughout the process

Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure compliance with ADA, FMLA, CFRA, and applicable state and local regulations
• Maintain audit-ready documentation for all cases
• Follow standardized SOPs, workflows, and templates
• Support audits and compliance reviews as needed

Manager & Employee Support

• Serve as a trusted advisor to managers on leave and accommodation-related matters
• Provide clear guidance on process, expectations, and escalation protocols
• Support employees with timely, accurate, and empathetic communication

Transformation & Continuous Improvement

• Operate effectively in a function that is being restructured, with evolving processes and priorities
• Remain adaptable and solution-oriented while maintaining strong execution and compliance standards
• Bring forward recommendations based on prior experience to improve workflows, documentation, and case handling
• Partner with leadership to help shape a more efficient, scalable, and employee-centered service model
• Contribute to building a “white glove” experience that is responsive, clear, and supportive for employees and managers
• Identify inefficiencies or breakdowns in the current process and proactively recommend improvements

Requirements:

• Strong knowledge of leave and disability laws (FMLA, CFRA, ADA, FEHA, and related regulations)
• Experience with ADA interactive process, accommodations, and medical documentation review
• Ability to interpret medical certifications and translate restrictions into workplace actions
• End-to-end leave administration experience (eligibility, compliance, timelines)
• Strong case management skills; able to handle high-volume, complex cases
• Excellent documentation and organizational skills with strong attention to detail
• Sound judgment with ability to assess risk and escalate as needed
• Strong communication and influencing skills; able to guide managers and navigate sensitive situations
• Experience with leave management systems
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments while maintaining compliance

Additional Requirements:

• Must be 21+
• Ability to sit/stand for extended periods and perform frequent computer work
• Strong verbal communication (phone, video, in person)
• Ability to navigate facilities (walking, stairs, occasional vehicle use)

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP
• Certified Leave Management Specialist (CLMS) or equivalent
• 5+ years of direct experience managing Leave of Absence and ADA accommodations in a high-volume, multi-state environment
• Demonstrated experience independently leading the ADA interactive process from initiation through resolution
• Proven experience managing complex leave cases, including overlapping leave types, leave exhaustion, and return-to-work challenges
• Experience partnering with managers and cross-functional stakeholders to implement accommodations and resolve employee medical matters
• Experience maintaining audit-ready documentation and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations
• Demonstrated ability to identify process gaps and contribute to improvements in workflows, systems, or service delivery
• Experience operating in environments with evolving processes, restructuring, or high growth preferred
• Experience in California and strong knowledge of CFRA and FEHA
• Experience in unionized environments or working alongside Employee Relations teams preferred

Company:

Are you interested in working for the world's largest cannabis market with a footprint that covers the entire breadth of the state of California? Are you someone who wants to be part of the growth of a fast-growing industry? At STIIIZY, our mission is clear: to provide the ultimate one stop shop cannabis experience by offering exceptional customer service and diversified products. We strive to build long-term customer loyalty. We’re building a consumer-centric organization that is focused on sharing the transformational potential of cannabis with the world.

Our STIIIZY product line is one of the best-selling cannabis brands in the market today and has claimed the title of the best-selling vape brand across all BDSA-tracked markets and best-selling brand overall in the California market! We are rooted in California and have expanded our operations across the United States, with even more growth on the horizon! Additionally, we’re building distribution networks to bring our products to over 60 countries worldwide.

We recognize that our employees are at the center of our success, and we take pride in a corporate culture that emphasizes our core values: Influence, Inspire, Innovate, Win, & Grow!

Our employees come from a wide range of retail backgrounds, each bringing their own unique skills and talents to the table as we work together to continue our incredible growth. If you are interested in partaking in the journey of building a nationally recognized and leading brand, we want to hear from you!

Additional details about compensation and benefits eligibility for this role will be provided during the hiring process. All employees are provided competitive compensation and paid training. We offer a range of benefits packages based on employee eligibility, including:

• Paid Vacation Time, Paid Sick Leave, Paid Holidays, Parental Leave.
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• 401k with generous employer match.
• Life Insurance.
• Employee discounts on products and services.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.