HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT – HR SPECIALIST

Minimum Qualifications
Acceptable Experience and Education
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Human Resource or a related field and a minimum of six (6) months of experience in Human Resources;

Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certificates and Licenses Required
Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver’s license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.

Typical Duties
Researches and recommends operating policy and procedural improvements;

Collects, analyzes, and develops occupational data concerning jobs, job qualifications, and position characteristics relating to personnel and administrative functions for the County;

Assists in assigned programs, in focus areas such as volunteer, internship, and workforce partnership programs, to include but not limited to, strategically defining these programs, setting processes and administering;

Assists as directed in development and implementation of the on-boarding and new employee process;

Provides information to County employees;

Prepares job descriptions and recruiting announcements;

Provides managers and supervisors with assistance in recruitment strategies;

Assist as directed evaluating qualifications and background check results to determine if candidate/employee is in compliance with minimum qualifications and/or necessary special qualifications and inform decisions on who should be interviewed;

Ensures applicant tracking system and all related processes effectively support the recruiting process and that the County’s recruiting efforts are efficient, legally compliant, relevant and timely and in accordance with all of the County’s policies and procedures;

Assists in addressing employee relations issues, such as harassment allegations, work complaints, or other employee concerns;

Prepares reports pertaining to termination appeals, grievances, discrimination and harassment complaints filed by employees, assist in preparing and researching responses to EEOC claims;

Assists in the administration of position and classification pay plan including auditing,

Assists as directed in on site analysis of personnel, determining training needs and administers in-service training programs when needed;

As directed, consults with management and personnel throughout the various County departments concerning personnel policies;

Recommends allocation of positions to specific classes;

Assists in composing/preparing narrative and statistical reports and correspondence related to personnel management;

Interprets federal and state labor and employment laws;

Assists in new employee orientation;

Provides public information such as verifying employment;

Complies with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions.

Attends and participates in meetings, training and information sessions;

Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field;

Assist in carrying out goals, practices, and procedures to assure the highest standards of risk management, employee safety, and risk avoidance;

Assists in conducting initial intake of employee complaints, investigates workplace grievances, and analyzes employee relations and performance management activities;

Informs job applicants of details such as duties and responsibilities, compensation, benefits, schedules, working conditions, or promotion opportunities;

Provides general information to employees about wellness programs or services;

Assists by tracking attendance, participation, or performance data related to wellness events;

Assists with administering unemployment claims;

Assists with monitoring workers’ compensation claims and coordinating work between employee and insurance; and,

Assists with a variety of loss control activities involving identifying, evaluating, controlling and minimizing occupational injuries and illnesses of county employees, including site analysis of employee working environments;

Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and,

Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills;

Other Important Duties*
Performs such other related duties as may be assigned;

Maintains a safe and healthy work place environment;

Occasional travel;

As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.

Job Summary
The Human Resources Specialist works under general direction, provides para-professional human resource advice and guidance to assigned departmental administration and managers in the areas of employment compliance, employee relations, recruitment and employment, benefits administration, wellness, compensation, training, performance management, onboarding, policy implementation and related human resources areas to include but not limited to advising on employment related matters, performance management counseling, and educating.

Additional Information
Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of: Principles and practices of public personnel administration, classification/compensation, job analysis and training; County organization, operations, policies and procedures; Federal and State laws relating to employment and labor relations English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products.

Skill/Ability to: Interpret and apply laws, county rules and policies and procedures; learn policies and procedures of the work; objectively coach employees and management through complex, difficult, and emotional issues; operate a personal computer and various software applications; conduct research, develop appropriate documentation, assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and demands to meet scheduled requirements; establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers and customers to promote and support a productive work environment; work efficiently independently and in a team environment to meet established goals and objectives; ability to create, conduct and supervise training and development programs for all levels of employees; exercise initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines in performance of daily duties; responding effectively to customers; reading, interpreting, and communicating instructions; compilation, analysis, and presentation of statistical information; use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines; complete projects on time and within budget; operate personal computer using standard office operating software and general office equipment; prepare and maintain records, maintain filing systems, compile and organize information; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; promote program activities; make mathematical computations; prepare clear, concise and comprehensive written reports, and staff studies; schedule, supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff; and establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work. Pass a background investigation.

Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance:

• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;
• Work well with others and participate fully in a team oriented environment;
• Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;
• Maintain strict confidentiality;
• Project positive support of their department and all organizations receiving El Paso County service at all times; and
• Maintain and enhance the County’s commitment to customer service excellence