Human Resources Associate

This is responsible and varied administrative work in performing a variety of specialized duties in the administration of the City's personnel program.

Work involves responsibility for various HR activities associated with recruitment, placement, personnel changes, personnel records, answering inquiries, pre-employment processing and disciplinary actions. The work requires comprehensive understanding of HR, payroll and benefit regulations and policies, and involves considerable contact with departments, employees, and the public. Work requires confidentiality and attention to detail.

Examples of work performance in this classification include, but are not limited to, the following tasks. These tasks may be amended, or other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Maintain confidentiality and professional management of privileged employee information.

• Verify employment status information
• Process terminated employees in timely manner from benefit records to control expenses
• Administer benefit programs such as health, dental, life, & cancer insurance, cafeteria plan, PERS retirement plan and deferred compensation
• Coordinate employee status change(s) that impacts insurance/benefit eligibility

• Notify benefit carriers via enrollment and/or change forms of employee eligibility, changes and/or separation within eligibility time frame
• Track employee enrollment records; process insurance carrier invoices in timely manner to include reconciliation of invoices and make payment
• Communicate plan changes and/or revisions to all employees
• Maintain separate employee benefit files
• Handle all insurance/benefit inquires from employees and/or medical providers. Follow up promptly if answer must be researched
• Assist employees with questions, problems or discrepancies concerning compensation or benefit plan(s)
• Manage and maintain all employee HR/Benefit record/filing and reference system in paper and electronic format meeting City information needs as well as requirements by law or local code. Examples include: current & separated employee personnel files; employee benefit files; federal or state agency reports/records; benefit carrier plan documents; employment applications; reference materials & manuals
• Verify completeness of employee documentation, to include: new hires, separations, status changes due to wage & classification, personal data information
• Maintain all necessary HR records & reports, i.e., Workers Comp, FMLA, Surety Bonds, background checks and drug screen forms
• Maintain orderly, systematic employee record & filing system for easy retrieval
• Keep all personnel files locked. No information should be released to unauthorized personnel.
• Maintain inventory of employment & benefit supplies & forms
• Will be backup for Payroll
• Will be responsible for posting and monitoring job openings on the city’s website
• Will be responsible for maintaining Employee Navigator
• Will be responsible for MAGCOR payroll

Practice oral & written communication and interpersonal skills.

• Maintain direct contact with City employees, City officials, applicants, consultants, benefit carrier representatives and government agency officials
Compose and type non-technical and technical correspondence, reports, enrollment spreadsheets
• - make independent decision on format & content
• Accurately prepare a variety of fiscal and statistical reports

Work with appropriate Department Head to assist in the scheduling and delivery of new hire orientation.

• Compile employment, benefit, I-9 media packets for the new employee to complete.

Maintain and issue City’s Personnel Policy Handbook

• Communicate changes and/or revisions to all employees

Provide agenda topics as needed

• Attend Mayor and Board of Aldermen meetings as needed
• Attend Insurance Committee meetings as needed

Assist appropriate Department Heads in supporting an internal and external recruitment program

• Manage internal posting process and advertise through appropriate publications as needed following City employment policy
• Recruit applicants for non-exempt positions
• Answer employment related inquiries
• Maintain applicant files

Stay knowledgeable and current of all applicable benefit and employment laws, rules, regulations and procedures: attend local seminars on HR topics

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

If a candidate believes he/she is qualified for the job although he/she does not have the minimum qualifications set forth below, he/she may request special consideration through substitution of related education and experience, demonstrating the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s Degree from accredited four-year college or university in personnel management, public administration or a related field and two (2) years work-related experience

OR

High school graduate or equivalent, i.e., GED, plus four (4) years experience in work-related to above examples

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

Knowledge

• Knowledge of underlying state and municipal laws and regulations relating to payroll / benefits
• Knowledge of references and resources for trends and developments in the areas of benefit administration and human resources
• Working knowledge of occupational hazards involved in work & proper precautions for safely performing job

Skills

• Communication & interpersonal skills: able to establish and maintain effective, professional lines of communication because of on-going contact with city officials, city employees, consultants, insurance carrier representatives. Able to publish correspondence and reports
• Organizational and record keeping skill
• Independent worker
• Problem-solver

Abilities

• To maintain confidentiality & professional management of privileged employee information
• To stay current modern HR management and the principles and practices of employment law
• To stay current federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to municipal employment law
• To handle multiple tasks simultaneously with frequent interruptions
• To pay attention to detail; make fast and accurate computations
• To plan, direct and coordinate work
• To establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Prepare payroll and all related reports

This Job Description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and I understand that the employee/employer relationship is “at-will”. I also understand that this Job Description is subject to change by the employer as the needs to the employer and requirements of the job change.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

The City of Brandon, MS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Selection of position will be made without discrimination for any reason such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, politics, or marital status.