HR Specialist

Description

Summary/Objective: 

Under the direction of the HR Manager, the Human Resources Specialist focuses in HR areas of expertise including, but not limited to benefits administration, compensation, 401k, clearances, employment law and regulation, insurance policies, employee leave, and specializes in employee relations and agency policy. In addition, the Specialist will help drive the success of the Agency by identifying and helping to recruit and retain talented people, filling hard-to-place roles, and performing a variety of tasks supporting employee engagement and company culture development. Further, the Specialist will provide the support, service, and knowledge base employees need to be successful in the agency’s workforce by promoting a positive and fast paced work environment that supports the agency’s strategic goals, mission, and values. 

Essential Functions:

Assists the Manager of Human Resources and the HR Department’s overall success with numerous HR related job duties to include: 

1. Assists with the development and dispersal of Agency policies as needed; as appropriate, participates in the Policy Development Committee.

2. Maintains and ensures proper recordkeeping and HR actions.

3. Maintains employee-related databases, including both paper and digital to ensure all required employee documentation is collected and maintained. 

4. Prepares and analyzes reports necessary to carry out the functions of the department and Agency. Prepares reports for management, as necessary or requested.

5. Assists HR Manager with maintaining HRIS by processing changes, updates, and troubleshooting issues. 

6. Performs personnel record audits.

7. Completes employee verifications and requests for information according to policy and law. 

8. Protects organization's value by keeping information confidential.

9. Complies with federal, state, and local legal requirements by reviewing existing and new legislation; assist with enforcing adherence to requirements.

10. Completes new hire and benefits training as needed.

11. Processes all new hires to include but not limited to; pre-hire paperwork, reference checks, background checks, physicals, SCR clearances, I-9 Verification, and license checks through the NYS DMV. Ensures that all new hires are onboarded according to agency standards and regulations. Remains up to date with new hire and personnel file management requirements from licensing agencies. Updates onboarding processes to ensure compliance with all hiring requirements from licensing agencies. 

12. Ensures the tracking of employees who are onboarding to include being the point of contact for facilitating all onboarding needs and clearances. Must ensure clearances, references, and required documentation for employees are being fulfilled according to regulation. Reports issues or concerns to the HR Manager and follows up and tracks concerns as needed. 

13. Manages all employee benefits to include new hire enrollment, open enrollment, FMLA, NY PFL, Disability, Medical, Dental, and other employee benefit plans. Updates benefits system for employee changes ongoing. 

14. Acts as liaison between employees and benefit providers to help resolve issues and provide general information. 

15. Completes payroll processes in HR in conjunction with the HR Manager and Payroll team. 

16. As needed, completes monthly tasks for HR expenditure tracking; HR Credit Card reporting. 

17. Acts as the main point of contact for all internship programs.

18. Serves as the initial contact and liaison for intake and assessment of employee complaints and other employee relations matters such as harassment allegations, work complaints or other concerns and then informs the necessary parties as needed. 

19. Provide guidance and support to employees and director/managers on performance-related issues including, but not limited to corrective actions, performance improvement plans and conflict management. 

20. As needed, oversees the disciplinary process, ensuring it is handled consistently, fairly, and in compliance with company policies and legal requirements. Advises managers on appropriate disciplinary actions and documents all relevant interactions.

21. Ensures CHJC maintains active Wellness and Staff Appreciation committees and acts as the acting committee chair. 

22. Assists in interviewing processes as requested. 

23. Utilizes HRIS system for recruiting candidates; keeps job openings current; and ensures postings accurately and successfully market for positions 

24. Utilizes selection process in recruitment, and works with hiring directors/managers for applicant selection to include using recruitment and application websites, attending job fairs, searching for active and passive applicants, and ensuring applicants fit the