HR Process and Controls Specialist

CoBank offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees both professionally and personally.

Benefits

• 15 days of vacation, 10 paid sick days, and 11 paid holidays
• Hybrid work model with flexible arrangements for most positions
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Disability, AD&D, and life insurance
• Robust associate training and development through CoBank University
• Tuition reimbursement for higher education
• 401k plan with up to 6% matching and an additional 3% non-elective contribution, plus student loan match
• Community impact programs: United Way Angel Day, Volunteer Day, and Associate Directed Contribution
• Associate Resource Groups fostering a culture of respect and inclusion
• Recognition programs such as GEM awards

About the role

The HR Process & Controls Specialist supports Human Resources operational processes by maintaining process documentation, coordinating compliance activities, assisting with control monitoring, and preparing routine reporting. The role follows established procedures and works with HR stakeholders to support operational consistency, policy adherence, process documentation, and audit readiness.

Responsibilities

• Assist in reviewing current-state HR operational processes and escalate potential risk points, controls gaps, bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities to improve quality, compliance, cycle times, and customer service.
• Maintain the HR SOP Library, including current-state and future-state workflows, standard operating procedures, job aids, process maps, decision points, handoffs, and controls activities.
• Support cyclical reviews and testing of SOPs to validate compliance with established controls, policies, and directives; track findings, coordinate stakeholder updates, and help ensure revised SOPs are approved, published, and communicated in a timely manner.
• Perform assigned HR operational control activities, including review of risks, control evidence, issue and exception tracking, and documentation required to demonstrate compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Support internal and external audit activities by gathering evidence, validating control operation, responding to information requests, and supporting coordination of remediation of identified findings or process concerns.
• Prepare routine reports and assist with data collection and data validation activities. Escalate findings to leadership when appropriate.
• Collaborate with HR departments and stakeholders to gather information, support documentation updates, and assist with implementation activities for approved process improvements.
• Participate in HR technology, automation, and transformation initiatives by supporting requirements definition, user acceptance testing, process validation, change readiness, training materials, and post-implementation monitoring.
• Maintain a service-oriented and controls-conscious approach by balancing associate experience, operations efficiency, policy adherence, data integrity, and risk mitigation in day-to-day decisions and recommendations.
• Support monitoring external compliance needs and coordinate across HR Centers of Excellence (COEs) to ensure appropriate teams have clarity on current and upcoming requirements and centrally track execution of associated compliance work happening across COEs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
• 1 year of experience in business process analysis, operations, internal controls, compliance, audit, HR, or related operational activities required.
• 1 year of experience documenting workflows, developing SOPs, conducting root cause analysis, supporting control testing, or participating in process improvement initiatives required.
• Ability to analyze business processes, identify risks and control points, and recommend practical improvements.
• Understanding of internal controls, compliance documentation, segregation of duties, exception monitoring, and risk mitigation concepts.
• Ability to partner with technical and non-technical stakeholders, gather requirements, influence without direct authority, and communicate process changes effectively.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, identify patterns, and communicate findings clearly.
• Strong attention to detail, written communication, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining quality and confidentiality.
• Proficiency in MS Applications including Excel (formulas, pivot tables, lookups, data validation, and structured analysis). Experience with Power BI or similar reporting tools preferred.

About CoBank

CoBank is a cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing, and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water, and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 76,000 farmers, ranchers, and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country. CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure, and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore.

Pay

The typical base pay range for this role is $58,100 - $66,500. Compensation may vary based on individual job-related knowledge, skills, expertise, and experience. This position is eligible for a discretionary annual incentive program driven by organization and individual performance.