Human Resources Specialist Job at GovernmentJobs.com in Buena Park

Human Resources Specialist

The Human Resources Department of the City of Buena Park is looking for a Human Resources Specialist to join our professional staff. Our "small but mighty" full-service department prides itself on exceptional service. Qualified candidates will have experience with payroll processing, benefits administration, billing reconciliation, health fair/open enrollment coordination, spreadsheet auditing, and a strong knowledge of local City governmental human resources practices. Prior municipal experience and experience in NeoGov Insight, NeoGov Onboard, and HRIS database administration are highly desirable qualifications for candidates interested in this position.

The ideal candidate for this position will possess outstanding payroll processing techniques, understand the principles of being a knowledgeable business partner, and possess excellent customer service skills. Strong, fast, accurate payroll data-entry skills are required. This position needs a service-oriented and organized problem solver who can think "outside the box" to fulfill the needs of our department and our business partners. A strong team member attitude is a must! If you meet the qualifications described below APPLY TODAY!

Varied work schedules: Incumbent may occasionally be required to work varied work schedules due to recruitment efforts and special events throughout the year. Varied work schedules may include early mornings, evenings, and weekends with advanced notice.

General purpose: Under general supervision, performs general and moderately complex and routine technical and paraprofessional work in support of human resources and risk management functions and programs; processes payroll, benefits, and MOU updates; performs compensation and benefit analyses; researches and provides information concerning employee relations practices and completes special studies; administers recruitment and selection functions for vacant positions; assists with workers' compensation and liability and claims processes; and does related work as required.

Distinguishing characteristics: The Human Resources Specialist is distinguished from the Senior Office Assistant by the breadth of the human resources responsibilities that are performed and more specialized knowledge of employment, benefits, payroll, and Human Resources Information Systems, and personnel practices and procedures. The Human Resources Specialist has both analytical and technical responsibilities and may provide technical guidance to staff.

Essential functions: The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.

1. Performs a wide variety of responsible and routine clerical, technical, administrative, and office duties in support of the Human Resources Department.
2. Inputs data, runs reports, maintains files and database systems for employee/employment records and recruitment/selection activities related to human resource information systems (HRIS), including the payroll system, crystal reports, applicant tracking, learning management system (LMS), employee performance and other related systems; acts as systems administrator for the HRIS and other related systems.
3. Administers a variety of benefit programs and services, including medical, dental, vision, life, voluntary insurance plans, disability, leaves, and retirement plans offered through a variety of carriers, providers and third-party administrators; explains provisions of benefit plans, service networks, coverage limitations, and related procedures to employees and retirees; assists in the coordination of annual open enrollment and health fair; prepares and reconciles billing to various benefits vendors.
4. Processes personnel action forms for employee status changes; tracks hours worked to determine benefit eligibility; implements personnel status changes resulting from new labor agreements; processes benefit enrollment and changes for benefit programs including the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) and other benefit providers.
5. Conducts new employee orientation and explains personnel requirements and benefit plans; ensures that employment records have been verified and that personnel files have been properly completed.
6. Administers I-9 program, including issuing forms to new employees, verifying eligibility of employment and completion and signing off forms, and maintaining accurate files.
7. Processes employee benefit applications and/or enrollment requests for all benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life, disability leave, FMLA, COBRA, over-aged dependents, retirement, death, and other qualifying events; responds to unemployment insurance requests; and coordinates the tuition reimbursement, SRA, RMA, and other City programs.
8. Compiles statistical and employment information for departmental and State and Federal governmental reports, such as the EEO-4 Report, State Controller's Report, and Orange County Grand Jury Reports.
9. Initiates and completes a variety of surveys including compensation, benefits, job specification and classification, and operational studies; assists in completing special projects; may provide technical guidance to staff, as needed.
10. Performs research related to personnel practices and employee relations matters; counsels supervisors and answers basic questions concerning Personnel Rules, labor contracts, and administrative policies.
11. Plans and coordinates employment functions for administrative and professional positions, such as writing job announcements, placing advertisements, screening applications, interviewing candidates, administering tests, and advising candidates of results.
12. Responds to employee, retiree, and public inquires relating to basic questions concerning Human Resources matters in a courteous and customer-focused manner; resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner; assists in staffing the Human Resources public counter and provides phone coverage.
13. Ensures the confidentiality of personnel information by following established procedures.
14. Develops, updates, and maintains a variety of personnel related forms and applications.
15. Maintains and updates personnel files and records.

Qualifications guidelines: Knowledge of: principles and practices of human resources management; equal employment and non-discrimination laws and regulations; administrative policies and procedures; recruitment and selection activities; employee relations, compensation, benefits and employee communications practices; basic Workers' Compensation practices and claims handling techniques; human resources information management and records systems; effective customer service techniques.

Ability to: plan, organize, and complete studies, projects, and reports in accordance with department standards and work deadlines; analyze information and present clear and concise reports and recommendations; provide technical guidance to other staff positions; conduct orientation and enrollment sessions; perform basic mathematical computations with speed and accuracy; operate a variety of different types of office equipment; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with applicants, staff, employees, management, vendors, contractors, and consultants; maintain the confidentiality of sensitive personnel information and records.

Physical and mental demands: The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands: While performing the duties of this class, the employee is required to sit, stand, and walk. The employee must be able to talk and hear. The employee must use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate computer hardware and standard office equipment; and reach above and below shoulder level with hands and arms. The employee occasionally lifts and carries records and documents weighing at least 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this class include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental demands: While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use oral and written communication skills; read and interpret data; thoroughly analyze and solve problems; exercise sound judgment in the absence of specific guidelines; use math and mathematical reasoning; establish priorities and work on multiple assignments and projects concurrently; meet intense and changing deadlines given interruptions; interact appropriately with staff, management, City officials, contractors, and public and private representatives, and others in the course of work.

Work environment: Employees frequently work in office conditions where the noise level is usually moderate, at or below 85 decibels.

Education/training/experience: High School graduation or G.E.D. equivalent is required, supplemented by training or coursework in Human Resources Management. An Associate's degree in a field related to human resources is desirable. Three years of administrative or technical experience in human resources work is required, preferably involving a variety of functions such as human resource information systems, employment, compensation, benefits, risk management, and/or employee relations. Specific HR experience related to payroll inputting and monthly billing reconciliation is highly desirable.

Licenses/certificates/special requirements: Valid Class C California driver license, acceptable driving record, and evidence of insurance are required.

Applicant information/exam weight: Oral interviews - Tentative Schedule (date subject to change): First Round: Week of September 22, 2025 Second Round: Week of September 29, 2025 Start Date: Monday, October 20, 2025

Applicants must submit a City application online through the Human Resources Department web page at www.buenapark.com/hr. Applications may be accompanied by a resume describing experience, education, and training in relation to the requirements of the position, however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City employment application. All applications will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include but is not limited to an oral interview and/or written exams and