Title: Absence and Accommodations Analyst
Department: Benefits & Integrated Disability Management
Location:
Sacramento, CA, US, 95817-1899
Category: Human Resources
Minimum Pay Rate: $104,956.80
Maximum Pay Rate: $138,985.60
Civil Service Status: Civil Service
Apply by Date: 02/10/2026
Posting Type: Open
This Journey HR Analyst will be a valuable member of the Integrated Disability Management (IDM) team. We take a comprehensive approach to managing employees' medical leave and workplace accommodation needs, providing a single point of contact for employees with medical issues affecting their ability to work. The ideal candidate will have 3 or more years' experience administering leave in compliance with state, federal, and workers' compensation regulations; facilitating the interactive process following the ADA/FEHA regulations; and experience in application of employer policies and Memorandums of Understanding.
Areas of support include:
Management of statutory leaves (e.g., FMLA, CFRA, Pregnancy Disability Leave)
Oversight of claims administration for work related injuries/illness
ADA/FEHA accommodations for employees with disabilities
Management of return-to-work and stay-at-work (light duty) programs
Official SMUD Classification: Human Resources Analyst (Journey)
Purpose
Provides professional analytical support and consulting services to business units involved in the planning, development, implementation and administration of human resources processes, programs and initiatives; performs technical personnel staff assignments in one or more of the following areas: Talent Management; Compensation, Classification & Performance; Benefits & Disability Management; Employee Relations; and Strategic Planning Performance & Analytics. Ensures that assigned human resources and workforce program results support SMUD's strategic objectives and comply with applicable SMUD, federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) requirements.
Nature and Scope
This classification is comprised of two levels: "E" is the entry, "J" is the journey. This is the journey level and is distinguished from the entry by the assignment of the full range of duties. Incumbents work independently on relevant work and projects of minor to moderate complexity; receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new, unusual or unique situations arise; and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.
Duties and Responsibilities
Talent Management: Provides SMUD management with prospective job candidates who meet SMUD's standards for competence, experience, diversity, knowledge, and skill; establishes employment, recruiting and hiring plans by evaluating SMUD jobs for compliance with federal regulations and SMUD policies; develops hiring materials, including written, oral and performance examinations, supplemental applications and rating guides; assesses candidate qualifications; identifies credible candidates; and maintains all relevant documentation and records.
Compensation, Classification & Performance: Provides SMUD with well-defined jobs and positions in compliance with all applicable SMUD standards as well as federal and state laws and regulations; performs job and position classification studies by collecting, assessing and interpreting job/position information; performs job audits; develops job/position classifications and descriptions; allocates positions to job classifications; prepares classification reports and confers with management, supervisors, labor relations unit, and employees; ensures competitive, credible, cost-effective, readily understandable, legally appropriate, and administratively efficient compensation programs for all levels of SMUD employees; develops and implements standard and specialized compensation programs by developing and conducting custom compensation surveys; evaluates and interprets market survey data; generates summary statistics; conducts job evaluations; recommends job or employee pay level modifications. Administers SMUD's Performance Management Program (PMP), supports management and employees through the various PMP processes; and assists in enhancing and developing methods/tools of evaluating and developing staff.
Benefits & Disability Management: Provides administrative support of health plans, pension plan, deferred compensation plans, EAP, and employee convenience options; administers childcare center contract, childcare tuition assistance and wellness center contract. Supports the interactive process for short- and long-term reasonable accommodations, ensuring accurate and timely case management through all phases of the interactive process in accordance with state and federal law, as well as company policies; and manages cases related to work and non-work-related injury or illness.
Employee Relations: Provides professional support and consulting services in the development, coordination, implementation, and administration of labor and employee relations policies, procedures, and programs; provides ongoing employee relations services to SMUD departments; keeps management abreast of changes in related laws, regulations and local/SMUD MOUs; conducts fact-finding investigations; investigates potential harassment, discrimination and/or retaliation claims; guides disciplinary processes; and recommends solutions to employee relations issues.
Strategic Planning Performance & Analytics: Performs research, benchmarking and data analysis; provides recommendations for strategic planning and goal setting; and maintains employees personnel data.
Performs other related duties as needed to include working outside of typical business hours when necessary.
Required Education
High school diploma or equivalent.
Required Experience Qualifications
At least three (3+) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience functioning as a Human Resources Analyst in one or more of the following areas: Job/Position Classification, Compensation, Benefits, Disability Management, Recruitment, Selection, Employee Relations.
Knowledge Of
Methods and techniques to interpret and apply federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations, ordinances, and standards relating to human resources activities; fundamentals and practices of human resources methods, policies, procedures, processes and programs; fundamentals, procedures and practices related to job evaluation, position and job analysis; fundamentals of recruitment and selection; systems and concepts related to test development and validation methods; procedures and practices related to workers compensation claims management and processing; fundamentals and practices for contract management; safety policies, practices and procedures; standard operating practices and procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards.
Skills To
Develop strategies associated with human resources processes; assess, interpret and document human resources standards, policies, procedures, processes, and programs; understand and interpret laws, regulations, MOUs and other agreements; apply and implement job classification, job evaluation, investigation, recruitment, selection, and performance evaluation system functions; assess and classify jobs/positions according to professionally accepted methods and standards; identify and assess training needs; apply job evaluation methods to identify appropriate salary levels for jobs/positions; evaluate, understand and explain employee programs; serve as a partner and consultant to management; schedule and prioritize own work assignments to meet expected timeframes; serve as reference person for other employees; utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems and software relevant to the job; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally.
Desirable Qualifications
Three (3) or more years of experience as a liasion to workers' compensation third party claims administrator (TPA)
Three (3) or more years of experience in administration of disability management, including FMLA, CFRA, & PDL programs.
Three (3) or more years of experience facilitating the interactive process for ADA & FEHA accommodations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey confidential & complex information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, including employees, leadership, and external vendors.
Foundational knowledge of California workers' compensation claims.
Experience with vendor management and data reporting.
Ability to interpret, create & analyze policies and procedures.
Understanding employee benefits programs and disability insurance programs.
Self-Insured Administrator certification.
Certification in Human Resource function(s), i.e., CCP, IPMA-CS, SHRM, CPS or equivalent.
Physical Requirements
Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are
As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.
Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.
An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform "substantially similar work," when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.
SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.
Why Sacramento, California?
The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.
Hybrid Work
This position will be required to work onsite one or more days a week on a regular basis; sometimes more or less, depending on the work and, at any of our SMUD locations. SMUD takes pride in powering the Sacramento region community where we live and work. We value the strong working relationships we develop with our colleagues. Our approach to remote work will continue to evolve. Please be aware that should SMUD's business needs change, emergencies occur, or various other reasons arise, you may be required to report onsite on a part-time or full-time basis.
CalPERS
SMUD is a CalPERS agency . As a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), SMUD offers eligible employees access to a defined benefit pension plan along with other valuable retirement and health benefits. This program helps provide financial security both during your career and after retirement. To learn more about CalPERS and the benefits it offers, please visit www.calpers.ca.gov .
SMUD provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. SMUD complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
SMUD expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of SMUD employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.
Req ID: 2690
