Personnel Specialist - Employee Services

ABOUT OUR DISTRICT

The Syracuse City School District is undergoing a new phase of innovation and transformation with the goal of ensuring that all students graduate high school with the skills needed to be ready for college and career. For Syracuse, all means all. The School Board and Syracuse community have charged the Superintendent with improving student achievement, and she is seeking a dedicated and diverse team of educators to partner with her in moving the district toward its goals.

The Syracuse City School District represents 35 schools and programs, including 6 high schools, 6 middle schools, 6 K-8 schools, 13 elementary schools, and 4 alternative education programs, serving approximately 19,000 students Pre-K–12. Of these students, 82.3% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, 20.1% are served by the Office of Special Education, and 83% are students of color. 

Location: Human Resources Department at Central Office - Employee Services

Experience with employee benefits is preferred. 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The work involves the responsibility for performing a variety of paraprofessional and specialized clerical tasks in support of personnel and employee benefit functions in a municipal organization. An employee in this class utilizes knowledge of personnel and civil service administration in exercising responsibility for employee records and providing advice and assistance in a variety of human resource transactions pursuant to collective bargaining agreements, workers compensation and other human resource transactions. Work is performed under the direct supervision of an administrative superior. Supervision of subordinate employees is not a function of this job class. Does related work as required.

These positions are members of the Employee Services team within the Human Resources Department. Responsibilities focus on Benefits, Compensation, Absence & Leaves, Workers Compensation in a customer-forward manner.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

• Processes human resource information, including appointments, separations, promotions, increases or benefits into a database.
• Assures accuracy of data entry and all human resource records.
• Answers employee questions concerning various human resource transactions pursuant to the individual's collective bargaining agreement which includes payroll, benefits, leave of absence, and workers' compensation among others.
• Resolves human resource transaction discrepancies including unusual or difficult issues.
• Prepares correspondence to employees, human resources vendors and other clientele on a variety of personnel and human resource issues.
• Prepares Civil Service paperwork and correspondence.
• Processes information pertaining to various other human resources transactions including, but not limited to, recruiting, grievance handling, unemployment insurance, benefits programs, and workers compensation.
• Participates in the testing and implementation of upgrades or new software systems pertaining to human resources information systems including payroll, benefits, or other component systems.
• Trains new employees and departmental users on the use of human resources information systems and processes.
• Develops and make recommendations to improve efficiencies in the office and assists in the development of human resource processes and procedures.
• Prepares reports using computer-based applications to create spreadsheets, manipulating data as needed.
• Maintains electronic and hard copy files and records as required.
• Helps ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including FLSA, IRCA, ADA, FMLA, TITLE IX, COBRA, and HIPAA among others.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Thorough knowledge of office terminology, procedures and equipment.
• Thorough knowledge of the principals and practices of human resource administration including employment, benefits, payroll, health insurance and labor relations.
• Thorough knowledge of Business Arithmetic and English.
• Working knowledge of the Rules and Regulations of Civil Service administration as applied to appointment in the public sector.
• Ability communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions.
• Analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills; computer skills; clerical aptitude; initiative and tact.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Experience with Oracle Cloud HCM system and Microsoft Office Suite preferred

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Promotion:

One (1) year of permanent competitive class status in the title of Personnel Aide or three (3) years of permanent competitive class status in the title of Typist II.

Open Competitive:

• Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resource Management or a closely related field; and, one (1) year of paraprofessional or professional level experience, or its part time equivalent, in which the major function of the job included *human resource management, *business administration or a closely related field; or,
• Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with an Associate’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resource Management or a closely related field; and, three (3) years of paraprofessional or professional level experience, or its part time equivalent, in which the major function of the job included *human resource management, *business administration or a closely related field; or,
• Five (5) years of paraprofessional or professional level work experience, three (3) years of which included, as a major function of the job: *human resource management, *business administration or a closely related field.

*Work Experience Definitions:

Human Resource Management – experience in personnel, labor relations, recruitment, selection, placement, classification, compensation, or training.

Business Administration - responsibility for the coordination and direction of human, physical and financial resources which includes identifying problems, obtaining and analyzing relevant information and determining and implementing solutions. Experience involves decision making with significant consequences in a combination of areas such as organizing priorities, evaluating and acting on financial records, financial and managerial accounting, organizational behavior, etc. Experience limited to a single discipline such as accounting or record retention would not be qualifying.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• To be considered, all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the position as outlined on the Onondaga County Civil Service job specifications for this title.

• NYS HELPS Program will allow us to hire for this position without participating in the Civil Service exam or being appointed from an eligible list. The selected candidate will serve a 52-week probationary period, and the position will mature into a permanent appointment.

• The successful candidate will be required to pass a fingerprint-based background check, at the cost of $104.50 to the candidate.

• City Residents are encouraged to apply!

• The Onondaga County Civil Service job description for this position can be viewed by clicking here.

WORKING HOURS: This position will work 40 hours per week, 12 months per year. This position is full-time. This position is non-exempt. 

SALARY/COMPENSATION: The current starting hourly rate for this position is $33.47 per the Unit 9 contractual agreement

The Onondaga County Civil Service job description can be viewed by clicking here.