Human Resources Specialist

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:  
Under general supervision, the Human Resources Specialist provides wide-ranging human resources services such as recruitment and selection, compensation, leave administration, benefits, unemployment, and recordkeeping; acts as consultant to managers; and advises employees on rights, privileges, and benefits.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:

1. Assists the Human Resources Manager with administering and coordinating City-wide programs and agency personnel programs and functions; ensures compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws; assists in the development and implementation of personnel policies and procedures; assists in the preparation  of the employee handbook and  policies and procedures; compiles statistical data; calculates service time; maintains personnel records; maintains information of a confidential or sensitive nature; prepares personnel reports; conducts new employee orientation and training, and assists with coordinating existing employee training programs.
2. Administers employee benefit programs (e.g., sick and vacation leave, FMLA, group health insurance [e.g., open enrollment & monthly additions/changes], workers’ compensation, etc.); reviews and determines processing status for benefit claims; ensures proper documentation for personnel transactions and maintains agency personnel files. Maintains reports and logs to conform to EEO regulations, and workers compensation reporting requirements.
3. Partners with employees and management to communicate various human resource policies, procedures, laws, standards and other government regulations; responds to inquiries regarding laws, rules, benefits, personnel procedures, etc.; provides information to employees regarding benefit programs including health care coverage and claims, civil service laws and procedures, agency policies and procedures, etc. 
4. Coordinates hiring processes with the Human Resources Manager and department heads; conducts recruitment efforts for all City exempt and nonexempt personnel; interviews and screens applicants for employment; administers, scores, and interprets employment tests; recommends hiring of employees; conducts reference checking; ensures all pre-employment hiring criteria is consistent and met.
5. Assists the Human Resources Manager in preparing the Human Resource department budget; reviews invoices submitted for services performed and processes payments; maintains budget control and projects supply/equipment budget estimates; verifies and records leaves of absence and other calendar items; projects and prepares annual inventory of supplies and equipment; ensures adequate inventory of supplies by preparing requisitions; maintains contact with vendors to perform said duties.
6. Attends meetings and serves on committees, as required; attends various meetings, seminars, and workshops. Completes annual surveys. Serves as Secretary to the Personnel Board.
7. Meets all job safety requirements and all applicable OSHA safety standards that pertain to essential functions.
8. Demonstrates prompt, regular, and predictable attendance; due to the nature of the job, the Human Resources Specialist must be available to return to work after normal work hours or on weekends when assigned or when requested to do so. Ability to get along with others.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Performs other duties as assigned.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Human Resources, Personnel Administration, Business or related field and two (2) years’ work experience in compensation plans, payroll, recruitment, benefits, or recordkeeping or other related personnel transactions; or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.  MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE CHARACTERISTICS:(*indicates developed after employment)

Knowledge of:  *City goals and objectives; *City policies and procedures; budgeting; payroll practices and procedures; OSHA rules and regulations; Department of Labor rules and regulations; human resources management; labor relations; employee training and development; personnel administration; FLSA; employee benefits administration; workplace safety; records management; public relations; computer programs; and general office practices and procedures; English spelling, grammar, and punctuation; project management principles and practices.
Skill in:  Use of modern office equipment; data entry; computer operation; telephone console operation; Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to:  Interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, or picture form; deal with many variables and determine specific action; recognize unusual or threatening conditions and take appropriate action; exercise independent judgment and discretion; select most qualified applicant according to specifications for referral; add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers; complete routine forms; prepare accurate documentation; compile and prepare reports; respond to routine inquiries from public and/or officials; prepare and deliver speeches and presentations; conduct effective interviews, communication effectively; train or instruct others; understand a variety of written and/or verbal communications; maintain effective working relationships; ability to get along with others; maintain records according to established procedures; handle sensitive inquiries from and contacts with officials and general public; resolve complaints; travel to and gain access to worksite.
POSITIONS DIRECTLY SUPERVISED:
None.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:  

Must possess valid identification to comply with Federal I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification.

EQUIPMENT OPERATED:  The following are examples only and are not intended to be all inclusive:

Calculator, computer, fax machine, copier, scanner, telephone, typewriter; postage machine, and other standard modern business office equipment.

INHERENTLY HAZARDOUS OR PHYSICALLY DEMANDING WORKING CONDITIONS:  

Employee ascends and/or descends ladders, stairs, or scaffolds; has exposure to chemical compounds found in an office environment (e.g., toner, correction fluid, etc.); works on and around powered platforms and/or vehicle mounted platforms (e.g., manlifts, fire trucks); is exposed to environmental conditions which may result in injury from fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, and/or poorly ventilated work areas; is exposed to possible injury from extremely noisy conditions above 85db (e.g., loud sirens, screaming people, building alarms, etc.); is exposed to possible injury from hazardous gases, chemicals, flammables, air contaminants, hazardous waste, unclean or unsanitary conditions, electrical shock; exposed to possible injury from radiation; exposed to possible injury from explosions; is exposed to possible injury as a result of falling from high places; works in or around crowds; has contact with potentially violent or emotionally distraught persons or vicious animals or life threatening situations; has exposure to fire, hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy weather conditions; exposure to extreme non-weather related heat or cold; exposure to shaking objects or surfaces; exposure to second-hand smoke; exposure to hazardous driving conditions; works, first, second or third shift; is periodically exposed to blood and other bodily fluids, as well as other potentially infectious materials; uses eye and face protection for potential exposure to flying objects, respiratory protection for potential exposure to airborne contaminants, head protection for potential impacts of objects to the head, and occupational foot protection for potential impacts of objects to the feet; participants in medical and first aid activities; exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible. 

Note:  In accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor physical demands strength ratings, this is considered light work. 

In cases of emergency, unpredictable situations, and/or department needs, may be required to lift, push, pull, and/or carry objects heavier than D.O.L. strength ratings recommend.

Salary : $60,000 - $70,000