Human Resources/Risk Management Specialist

DEFINITION

To perform a wide variety of responsible technical and administrative duties in support of City human resources and risk management programs; to maintain a variety of files and employee records; to prepare various correspondence and memoranda; and to perform a variety of duties relative to assigned area of responsibility.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives lead direction from the Senior Human Resources Analyst, Human Resources Risk Manager and/or Director of Human Resources and Risk Management.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Essential Functions

This is the entry professional level class within the Human Resources series. Employees within this class learn to perform the full range of duties, initially in one functional area, and expanding into other functions as experience is gained and skills mastered; such additional assignments are made by management consistent with department workload, structure, and availability. Positions at this level receive initial instruction, and occasional assistance as new or unusual situations arise. Work is routine, transactional, and performed within prescribed standards, policies and procedures. This class is distinguished from the Human Resources/Risk Management Analyst by the difficulty and complexity of work assignments assigned to the higher level where incumbents perform as full "generalists" with expertise in multiple functional areas of Human Resources. Positions assigned to the Analyst level are further distinguished by the responsibility for performing work involving research, analysis, policy development, and preparation of sound recommendations. ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS--Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform technical duties in support of recruitment and selection; classification and compensation; employee benefits; organizational development and training; and risk management.
• Prepare a variety of administrative forms and notices including employment verification forms, personnel action forms, job offer letters, new hire forms, and related documents.
• Participate in recruitment and selection activities; attend job fairs; conduct recruitment planning with hiring manager; prepare job announcements with appropriate information; prepare and place advertisements; screen applications to ensure minimum qualifications are met; assist in preparing and administering written, oral, and performance exams; schedule interviews and testing; conduct reference and background checks; inform candidates of hiring status.
• Conduct and/or facilitate job offers and the on-boarding of new employees ensuring completion of all forms and steps per the prescribed checklists and internal procedure; provide new employees with hiring and benefits enrollment information; process appropriate forms and coordinate activities with payroll and related departments.
• Maintain a variety of employee, personnel and benefits files, updating as required; process employee separations ensuring completion of all forms and steps per the prescribed checklists and internal procedure.
• Provide City human resources related policies and procedures to new hires; distributes City personnel literature and manuals; provide direction on how to complete various forms including health insurance information.
• Provide assistance and excellent customer service to City employees and the general public via the telephone and walk-in visits; explain City policies and procedures.
• Assist in the administration of the City's employee benefits program; counsel and assist employees; troubleshoot employee issues and problems.
• Audit and reconcile benefits in accordance with the City's plans and negotiated provisions contained with memorandums of understanding.
• Reconcile benefit invoices from providers and vendors and processes payments.
• Determine benefit deduction amounts for employees based upon enrollment, plan selections, and established rate sheets for payroll purposes.
• Assist in providing information to employees regarding voluntary benefit plans; process enrollments and benefit deduction amounts.
• Assist in the administration of the City's deferred compensation program; answer routine questions from employees; and process enrollments and changes.
• Participate in the planning of employee benefits fairs, job fairs, employee recognition, and other events.
• Maintain financial accounts by processing department purchase requisitions and invoices.
• Participate in special projects and training as assigned.
• Conduct routine position classification studies; prepare and revise classification specifications.
• Conduct routine salary and benefit surveys.
• Coordinate with departments and third party administrator to expedite workers' compensation claims processing; monitors employee status and provides updates to departments.
• Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in public sector human resources; incorporate new developments as appropriate into programs.
• Perform related duties as required.
  
  

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities of a human resources department.
• Basic principles and practices of human resources programs including recruitment and selection; classification and compensation; employee benefits; organizational development and training; and risk management.
• Methods and techniques of preparing job announcements and administering written, oral, and performance examinations.
• Methods and techniques of conducting on-boarding of new employees and employee orientation programs.
• Policies and procedures governing the retention and release of confidential information.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Personnel policies and procedures in assigned program area.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Mathematical principles.
• Modern office procedures, methods and equipment, including computers and supporting word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.
  
  

Ability To

• Perform technical duties in support of human resources programs including recruitment and selection; classification and compensation; employee benefits; organizational development and training; and risk management.
• Understand, interpret and communicate human resources policies and procedures.
• Maintain detailed and complete records and files.
• Respond to employee inquiries, complaints, concerns and needs and provide excellent customer service.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Maintain confidentiality of work.
• Operate a variety of modern office equipment including computer equip­ment and supporting word processing and spreadsheet applications at an intermediate level of proficiency.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Keyboard at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.
  
  

Experience

Experience and Training Guidelines

• Two (2) years of human resources program administrative and technical support.
  
  

Education

• Graduation from high school or evidence of equivalent education proficiency.
  
  

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of a State of California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's vehicle insurance program.