PURPOSE:
The Human Resources Specialist provides paraprofessional support to a variety of human resources functional areas. Employees provide technical assistance to HR staff, applicants, and employees in the daily procedural and administrative functions of a human resources program; research, compile, and summarize data; initiate and prepare personnel actions; and answer and/or refer questions and inquiries.
Positions classified as Human Resources Specialist work within the Human Resources Division in functional areas that include, but are not limited to procedural and administrative processing in the areas of personnel actions and recordkeeping, employee benefits, medical leave compliance, recruitment and selection, wellness, classification and compensation, Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) or other human resource programs.

Duties may include:
1. Maintains records in assigned human resources functional area. Researches and responds to requests for information about County programs and processes. Produces and distributes packets of information to employees or the public. Explains how to complete relevant forms; reviews forms for accuracy and completeness. Revises and distributes required notices according to mandated guidelines and County policy.
2. Researches, compiles, organizes, and reviews data to verify facts, resolve discrepancies, or provide statistical information. Compiles information for higher-level staff or management; creates and maintains spreadsheets in support of various human resources functions.
3. Responds to commonly asked questions from managers, supervisors, employees, and applicants regarding personnel rules or benefits; explains policies and procedures regarding promotion, demotion, transfer, pay administration, examinations, recruitment, employee status, and other related information; and refers questions requiring more in-depth contract or policy interpretation to senior HR staff.
4. Obtains and reviews necessary forms from new employees; monitors and follows up to obtain documentation to ensure timely processing or to meet legal/procedural requirements; reviews and audits employee files to ensure proper disposition and processing; and purges files according to County policy and applicable labor agreements.
5. Assists in creating a positive and supportive work environment; enforces a safe workplace; establishes a culture of teamwork and communication; creates a workplace that promotes the organizational values of workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion; and actively promotes an environment respectful of living and working in a multicultural society.
6. Performs data processing, analysis, and reporting from several human resources information systems to include, but not limited to, NEOGOV (applicant processing system), WISARD (Oracle enterprise management system), Laserfiche, and Microsoft Excel. Responds to inquiries for information from one or more systems.
7. Processes and retains employee benefit, personnel, and other employee-related records, in accordance with Oregon Archival rules, record retention guidelines, and Washington County policy.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:
Basic concepts and principles of general human resources management or one of its specialty areas;
Office practices and procedures and the typical computer applications to organize recordkeeping systems;
Standard office software programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel; and Basic statistical terminology and processes.
Skills to:
Use computer-based information systems and computers for research and analysis; Use multiple human resources information systems and support systems to process and obtain information; Develop office procedures to efficiently process information; Operate a desktop computer and associated software applications to collect and compile data in a statistical format, enter or retrieve information, and create documents and reports; Use general mathematical principles to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and compute percentages; Gather and compile statistical data to create reports and recommend action; and Develop information and basic training materials to explain human resources programs to employees, including presentation to groups.
Ability to:
Apply policy and procedures to specific situations to process information, answer questions, and explain decisions;
Process information accurately and produce reports from a variety of human resources information systems. Proficiency in managing multiple information systems is required; Use tact and diplomacy with individuals from diverse backgrounds; Communicate effectively orally and in writing; Research, compile, and summarize information and data;
Prioritize and organize work to complete projects within established timeframes; Work independently without direct supervision; and Work cooperatively in a team-based environment.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Three (3) years of increasingly responsible administrative support or experience in one of the referenced human resources specialty areas directly assisting human resources professionals in the administration of that program or specialty area; OR Equivalent to an Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, human resources administration, business administration, or related field AND one (1) year of related work experience.