Personnel Specialist

About the role

This position involves responsibility for performing various phases of personnel administration including new employee orientations, employee benefits, payroll, and personnel transactions. The role requires knowledge of personnel administration and is responsible for the maintenance of a variety of personnel records, the processing of records and forms for employees, and providing advice and assistance in matters regarding salary plans, employee benefits, and contractual provisions. Acts as the first line of support for all employees and retirees. Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Director of Human Resources with leeway allowed for the exercise of independent judgment in planning and carrying out assigned duties. Supervision may be exercised over subordinate clerical staff.

Responsibilities

• Plans and implements HR functions across the organization, including but not limited to: personnel policies, benefits, payroll, attendance/paid time off, employee relations, compensation/salary administration, retirement plans in alignment with current CBAs and personnel agreements.
• Maintains good knowledge of the organizational structure and functions of school districts in New York State, as well as working knowledge of the rules and regulations of civil service as applied to standard personnel transactions.
• Proactively supports District staff with all aspects of employee benefits including health and dental insurance, retirement, and attendance.
• Establish rapport with people for the purpose of conveying and clarifying procedures, rules and regulations; commensurate with the demands of the position.
• Enrolls employees with benefit carriers and processes life status changes.
• Responds to employee and retiree inquiries related to benefits plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries.
• Manages the open enrollment process.
• Prepares and provides necessary reports for workers compensation, retirement systems, and benefit administration; audit insurance bills for accuracy.
• Assists the Director of Human Resources in analyzing trends and metrics to develop sound solutions, programs, procedures, and policies that are efficient, appropriate, and support the strategic goals of the district.
• Administers, interprets, and ensures compliance with federal, state and local employment laws, as well as organization policies and procedures.
• Maintains and updates HRIS and employee databases, including but not limited to, personnel transaction forms, application forms, extended sick leave records, employee benefit records, attendance reports, training and orientation registration records and data processing printouts.
• Interprets and administers provisions of labor agreements between the school district and its employees.
• Plans, assigns, and reviews the maintenance of a wide variety of financial records and reports and instructs employees in the specialized details of the work (partners with the financial team on the cost implications short and long term of employee salary and benefit impact).
• Compiles, prepares, and analyzes, and makes recommendations regarding a variety of complex financial and statistical reports that help support the HR and staffing operations, while considering CBA implications.
• Conducts correspondence in connection with financial matters to the Director of Human Resources, Business Official, and IR leadership team.

Requirements

• Candidates must have either previously taken the applicable Civil Service examination OR meet the eligibility requirements to take the examination.
• Bachelor's degree and (1) year of experience in a personnel or human resource agency.
• Associate's degree and (3) years of experience in a personnel or human resource agency.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the above options.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Positive attitude, dependable, high level of professionalism, team player/customer service mindset.
• High level computer and software skills, strong written and oral communication and presentation skills, interpersonal skills.
• Analytical, strategic thinker, innovative.
• Ability to delegate, problem solve and use good judgment.