Purpose Statement
The job of Human Resources/Benefits Specialist is done for the purpose/s of providing support to department activities with specific responsibility resource programs and services; providing information and serving as a resource to others; achieving defined objectives by implementing, processing, and maintaining services in compliance with established guidelines.
This job reports to Director of Human Resources.

Essential Functions

• Assists in processing a wide variety of personnel and benefits procedures (e.g. orientation, labor and employment contracts, review and processing of new hire documentation, compensation schedule, benefits enrollments/changes/open enrollment, etc.) in accordance with applicable district policies, relevant laws, contracts and agreements.
• Collaborates with internal and external personnel (e.g. administrators, auditors, public agencies, community members, Payroll, and other personnel etc.) for the purpose of implementing and/or maintaining services and programs.
• Coordinates/assists with the recruitment/onboarding/off boarding process (e.g. posting vacancies, processing applications, collecting/processing new hire documents, new employee orientation, assigning checklists, collecting documentation, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining a highly qualified staff.
• Assists in department operations; the maintenance of services and the implementation of new programs and/or processes (e.g. agency policies and procedures, state & federal regulations, etc.) for the purpose of providing services within established timeframes, achieving outcomes in relation to organizational objectives, and ensuring compliance to legal requirements.
• Participates in meetings, workshops, seminars, etc. (e.g. personnel actions, financial procedures, regulatory requirements, actions involving outside agencies, inter-district needs, etc.) for the purpose of providing necessary information for making decisions, identifying issues, developing recommendations, supporting/assisting other staff, and taking acting/complying with established district policies procedures, laws and regulations.
• Assists in maintaining manual and electronic documents, files and records (e.g. background information, vacancy listings, applicant tracking, HR website, records, personnel files, years of service, etc.) for the purpose of providing accurate information in compliance with regulatory requirements and established guidelines.
• Assists and oversees a variety of assigned processes and trainings (e.g. substitute placement, new employee orientation, departmental procedures, benefits enrollment, employment verifications, Fingerprinting, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring efficient processing implementation of programs and services, and complying with legal and/or administrative requirements.
• Oversees employee benefit and worker's compensation programs in compliance with carrier contracts (e.g. enrolling new employees, explaining benefit options, organizing benefit fairs, mediating benefit eligibility, and payment issues, filing claims, return to work, etc.) for the purpose of providing maximum coverage to employees within contract specifications.
• Participates in a wide variety of meetings (e.g. board meetings, training, hearings, job fairs, professional associations, develops networks, workshops, seminars, conferences, etc.) for the purpose of identifying issues, developing recommendations, supporting other staff, and ensuring the accuracy of the Human Resources and Benefits processes and delivering services in compliance with established guidelines.

• Participates in collective bargaining processes for the purpose of assisting district negotiation of labor agreements.

   

• Prepares a wide variety of complex written materials/reports for the purpose of documenting activities and issues, meeting compliance requirements, providing audit references, making presentations, and/or providing supporting materials for requested actions.

   

• Resolves discrepancies and researches solutions regarding Human Resource documentation, benefit information/documentation and/or conflicts in documentation (e.g. benefit provider/s, withholding, salary status, enrollment forms, billings, COBRA, disability, retirement, health, FMLA, etc.) for the purpose of conveying information, processing claims, ensuring accurate eligibility, records, payment information, and complying with contract provisions.

   

• Responds to written and verbal inquires from a variety of internal and external sources (e.g. staffing, conflicts in policies and regulations, community concerns, parental requests, etc.) for the purpose of identifying the relevant issues and recommending or implementing a remediation plan.

   

• Supports the Director in completing Human Resources and benefits operations for the purpose of ensuing the timely and accurate processing of documentation and services, including providing support and assistance to personnel, beneficiaries, insurance providers, community members, and/or auditors. .

   

• Maintains a high level of confidentiality and customer service with all processes, procedures, reporting and functions of the work unit.

   

• Assists in processing requisitions, invoices, and other documentation for travel, software, supplies, etc. to support the functions of the work unit, recruitment, and employees.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform multiple, highly complex, technical tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: operating standard office equipment including utilizing pertinent software applications; planning and managing projects; preparing budgets and reviewing financial information; developing effective working relationships; and administering personnel policies and procedures.; conducting meetings; training and informing employees; enforcing rules and regulations; promoting activities and/or events; Five (5) years of increasing experience in an educational setting or related experience preferred; Training in ARS 15 and other related Federal, Arizona State, County and Tribal Employment Laws preferred.
KNOWLEDGE is required to perform advanced math; review and interpret highly technical information, write technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: personnel processes; and pertinent codes, policies, regulations and/or laws; business telephone etiquette; interviewing techniques and practices; knowledge of community resources; personnel administration practices; principles of negotiation/arbitration; recordkeeping and record retention practices; accounting/bookkeeping practices, school safety and security practices.
ABILITY is required to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events; routinely gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of varied types and/or purposes; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment. Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with diverse groups; meeting deadlines and schedules; working with detailed information; working as part of a team; working with multiple projects; dealing with frequent interruptions and changing priorities; maintaining confidentiality; and facilitating communication between persons with frequently divergent positions; analyzing issues and determining appropriate course of action; displaying tact and courtesy.

Responsibility
Responsibilities include: working independently under broad organizational guidelines to achieve unit objectives; managing multiple departments; supervising the use of funds. utilization of significant resources from other work units is routinely required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to significantly impact the organization’s services.

Work Environment
The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 70% sitting, 10% walking, and 20% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Experience:     Job related experience within a specialized field with increasing levels of responsibility is required.

Education:       Bachelors degree in job-related area.

Equivalency:    Job related experience may substitute for education

FLSA Status: Non-exempt                Support Staff Salary Schedule: Grade L

12 month position