Human Resources Associate

This is specialized, paraprofessional work in Human Resources. An employee assigned to this classification performs routine and complex duties related to the administration of various human resources functions, including providing support for the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), personnel data entry, and payroll sign-ups. Work is performed under the general direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports and observation of results obtained.

Responsibilities

• This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.
• Exudes a positive customer service focus and advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with the County's core values.
• Enters and updates employee information in the appropriate HR systems and assists with proper maintenance of employee personnel files.
• Produces professional, accurate, quality reports.
• Participates in recruitment and onboarding activities, including:
  • New employee orientation
  • Processing employee personnel actions in the HRIS system
  • Initiating background checks
  • Reviewing skills assessments
  • Verifying educational credentials
  • Creating employee badges
  • Performing other related onboarding and recruitment duties
• Processes Form I-9 and employment authorization documentation in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Assists staff with updating and maintaining personnel information, including tax information, name changes, and other employee record updates.
• Responds to applicant inquiries regarding application status and provides information about current job opportunities to prospective applicants.
• Provides employee records in the fulfillment of Public Information Requests, including redacting information exempt from Public Records laws.
• Provides administrative assistance related to FMLA.
• Provides backup support for front desk operations as needed.
• May be required to attend off-site meetings and/or training sessions.
• Maintains regular and punctual attendance as an essential requirement of the position.
• Participates in the development and preparation of the quarterly internal employee newsletter.
• Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.

Requirements

• Graduation from high school or equivalent and three years of clerical/office work and/or customer service experience, or any equivalent combination of related training, education, or experience.
• Earned college degree will substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Applicants within six months of meeting the minimum education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status.
• Passing score on the following County's skills assessment tests: Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word with a minimum score of moderate knowledge. The assessment tests can be taken in person or online/remotely through the CareerSource North Central Florida. Applicants must contact CareerSource North Central Florida at assessment@careersourcencfl.com to arrange testing. Passing scores must be received by the Human Resources Office via email at achr@alachuacounty.us no later than three business days after the posting closes. Previous testing scores are only valid for a period of 2 years from the date of testing.
• Successful completion of a drug screen and all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.
• If you earned a bachelor's or master's degree outside the United States, you must submit a foreign education credential evaluation with your application or email it to achr@alachuacounty.us. International degrees without an evaluation will not be considered toward minimum qualifications.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of general office procedures and practices including standard office equipment and basic filing practices.
• Knowledge of basic arithmetic and different methods of data collection.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Some knowledge of modern policies and practices of human resources administration, including a basic understanding of employee classification, compensation, recruitment, onboarding, and orientation.
• Skill in communicating effectively and maintaining positive working relationships with employees, colleagues, and members of the public.
• Skill in preparing job announcements and advertisements.
• Skill in operating standard office equipment, including personal computers and related word processing, database, and spreadsheet programs; telephones; copiers; and fax machines.
• Ability to carry out assigned projects to their completion.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with applicants, employees, and the general public.
• Ability to maintain confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a human resources department.

Physical Demands

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

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Benefits

• BoCC-Contributed Benefits:
  • Medical/Health Insurance
  • Employee Life Insurance
  • Florida Retirement System
  • Employee Assistance Program
• Optional Benefits:
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
  • Deferred Retirement Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Roth IRA
  • Tuition Assistance Program
• Florida Retirement System (FRS): A retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and their family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement. A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds.
• Holidays:
  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Veterans' Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Friday following Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Eve (IAFF*)
  • Christmas Day
  • Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)
  • 2 Floating Holidays (All non-IAFF employees)

  *IAFF – International Association of Firefighters

• Pay Schedule: Pay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday.
• Vacation Leave: Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions.
• Sick Leave: Earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis.