Academic Leaves Case Manager

The Opportunity

Cornell University is seeking an experienced Academic Leaves Case Manager to coordinate the case management needs of faculty and academic appointees utilizing various disability and leave programs within the endowed and contract colleges. This role involves overseeing a range of programs, including short-term medical leave, workers' compensation, long-term disability plans, FMLA, and more. The case manager will also act as the Plan Administrator for the New York Paid Family Leave (NYPFL) program, handling quarterly reporting and financial responsibilities.
 

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and coordinate case management for faculty and academic appointees using disability and leave programs (short-term medical leave, workers' compensation, long-term disability, FMLA, etc.).
• Serve as the Plan Administrator for the NYPFL program, including overseeing quarterly reporting and financial accounting.
• Provide expert guidance to HR staff, managers, and supervisors on university policies, procedures, and state/federal regulations regarding leave programs.
• Assist faculty, staff, and supervisors in navigating complex medical/employment situations and offer tailored counseling and recommendations.
• Collaborate with third-party vendors and treatment providers to deliver proactive and comprehensive case management support.
• Maintain knowledge of associated support programs (occupational health, wellness programs) to aid academic appointees.

This is a full-time, exempt (40 hours/week) endowed position that is based in Ithaca, NY. This position follows a hybrid work arrangement after a period of orientation and training. This arrangement includes working on campus at minimum 2 days/month. This hybrid work arrangement is subject to change at any time. Typical work hours are 8am-4:30pm Monday through Friday.   

What You Need

We are looking for a team member who is empathetic, collaborative, organized, and detailed oriented. Additionally, you will: 

• Hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Rehabilitation, Social Work, Nursing, Human Services or a related field, with at least three years of related experience or specialized training.

• Have well-developed counseling skills and maintains a high-level confidentiality including maintaining confidential files.
• Actively listen and carefully make an appropriate recommendation to often complex problems and/or policy interpretations. This could relate to illness, injury or disability of an employee and delicate work issue or problem related and/or connected to a leave or medical condition.
• Have exceptional interpersonal relations and work well with others.
• Be patient, competent, and display a professional attitude when relating to customers.
• Utilize excellent communication skills (oral, written, and presentation) with a wide variety of constituents. Strong writing skills including drafting, editing, and proofing.
• Actively take responsibility when appropriate.
• Be well organized with files and systems and good at multitasking and staying focused on priorities.
• Exercise independent judgment and decision-making in responding to high priority situations and medical leave situations as they arise; and take initiative to research issues and advance projects. Ability to prioritize and manage numerous cases at one time.
• Be flexible and adaptable with ability to work well with shifting priorities and within a team environment.
• Have skills in using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Have knowledge of federal and state employment and disability/medical leave laws.
• Hold a strong understanding of higher education as a workplace.

If you possess these experiences and skills this may be the role for you! There are a few other qualifications we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, to include: 

• A Master’s Degree in Social Work, Rehabilitation Counseling or Psychology preferred. Experience and background in higher education, human resources, benefits administration and/or insurance desirable.

A cover letter and resume are required for further consideration for this position.