Human Resources Specialist

Job ID: 35423
Agency: Unified Judicial System, State Court Administrator's Office
Location: Pierre, SD
Salary: $26.50 per hour, depending on experience
Closing date: 04/21/2026

For more information on the Unified Judicial System, please visit http://ujs.sd.gov .

The Unified Judicial System (UJS) is dedicated to providing a fair, impartial, and accessible court system that upholds the rule of law and is worthy of the public’s trust and confidence. Our vision is justice for all.

Our employees are our most valuable resource and crucial to accomplishing our mission. We seek talented and motivated individuals to be the face of the court system and help ensure that the Court and all the people that come before it receives the highest level of service. Our dedicated staff work to enhance community safety and ensure victims’ rights while treating all individuals with dignity and respect.

The UJS offers a comprehensive benefits package consisting of 11-13 paid holidays every year, extensive sick and vacation leave, paid family leave, military training leave, health and flexible benefits, regular working hours, continuing education opportunities, retirement benefits, a great working environment, and more.

Position Purpose:
This position maintains personnel files, is responsible for the Time Keeping System (TKS), serves as the benefit specialist within the Unified Judicial System (UJS), and approves and processes payroll for the UJS. Duties may include:

• Processing, maintaining, and entering payroll actions into the payroll system and ensuring timeliness and accuracy, which includes checking information in the system the following day after the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration (BHRA) has completed its reports.
• Maintaining the Time Keeping System (TKS) and processing payroll to ensure proper and timely payment to UJS employees and judges, and compliance with statutes.
• Answering questions from employees and judges regarding health benefits and working with the BHRA Benefits Division to resolve issues for UJS employees and judges.
• Maintaining all UJS personnel files, including confidential medical files, and position files.
• Maintaining various reports and statistics regarding human resources operations.
• Authorizing longevity pay, preparing longevity letters for the Chief Justice's signature, and mailing longevity letters with checks and years of service pins; and ordering and distributing retirement plaques.
• Coordinating the recognition and outstanding awards items, such as the clothing apparel and thank you awards, and recommending new and additional items for purchase.
• Serving as the backup to the Human Resources Generalist by preparing job announcements for posting by drafting announcements and newspaper announcements and distributing them within established deadlines.
• Serving as the administrative support for the Human Resources office.
• Performing other work as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation from high school or possession of a GED certificate and two years of experience in payroll and/or recordkeeping, or an equivalent combination of related education and experience.

Successful completion of a criminal background investigation is required for employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• human resources rules, policies, and procedures as related to personnel records, payroll, position control, and benefits programs;
• state payroll system (preferred);
• Microsoft software applications, specifically Word and Excel, including building reports and functions within Excel.

Ability to:

• interpret and apply rules and procedures;
• adhere to established deadlines and timeframes;
• operate a wide variety of office equipment;
• maintain confidentiality of UJS employees' personnel and medical file information and work-related issues;
• communicate effectively both orally and in writing with a wide variety of people;
• organize and prioritize workload.

The State of South Dakota, Unified Judicial System does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The Unified Judicial System as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

You may view our benefits information at https://ujs.sd.gov/media/gbtinrye/come_work_for_us.pdf .

Apply at: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=3SY
Unified Judicial System
500 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501-5070
Phone: 605.773.4884
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"

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