DEFINITION

Under general direction assists in the day-to-day activities of the City's Human Resources Program; provides administrative and technical support to the Human Resources Analyst and/or Department Manager; performs other duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Human Resources Technician provides technical and administrative support assistance to the Human Resources Analyst and/or the Department Manager in a variety of activities involved in the administration of the City’s Human Resources Program. This class is distinguished from other office support classes due to the technical knowledge of the human resources field that is required. Incumbents may work independently in the completion of assigned tasks and are expected to exercise considerable judgment in working within the scope of their authority. Incumbents are also required to maintain the confidentiality of personal information. The Human Resources Technician has responsibility and expertise in one or more of the following areas: fringe benefits’ management, workers’ compensation, employee safety and training, recruitment, and records’ management.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED

General supervision is provided by the Human Resources Analyst and/or the Department Manager. Supervision may also be provided by the Assistant City Manager and/or City Manager. Incumbents may provide lead supervision to support staff. Incumbents may fill-in for the Human Resources Analyst in his/her absence.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

(These duties are a representative sample; position assignments may vary)

• Assists Department Managers and Supervisors with staffing needs, including arranging for temporary workers
• Prepares and distributes recruitment-related materials such as job announcements; places recruitment ads
• Assists with all phases of recruitment and selection processes including inputting, tracking, and screening applications, arranging and proctoring written exams, arranging and participating on oral boards, participating in assessment centers and conducting skills’ testing
• Conducts or coordinates a variety of processes related to pre-employment processing including reference checks, driver’s license checks, fingerprinting, background investigations, and may arrange appointments for polygraphs, psychological and physical exams
• Makes recommendations to the hiring authority primarily concerning the employment of part-time, hourly employees and appointment of volunteers
• Conducts employment orientations and explains benefits, policies, and procedures; processes new-hire paperwork and sets-up new employees in a specialized Human Resources and Payroll software program
• Completes and processes workers' compensation reports in a timely manner; acts as liaison with workers' compensation carrier; assists employees and supervisors with workers’ compensation-related questions, paperwork and procedures
• Tracks employee absences and posts time off; may prepare leave-of-absence paperwork and track Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and California Family Rights Act (CFRA) time off
• Processes paperwork related to fringe benefits for full-time, regular part-time employees, retirees and their eligible dependents; checks insurance eligibility requirements and processes COBRA-related paperwork; works closely with the Payroll Department regarding benefit programs; may be involved in activities related to open enrollment for the medical plans; conducts census data research and prepares a variety of benefit-related reports
• Maintains notification system of pending part-time employee performance reviews and notifies departments
• Prepares classification and salary change documents and notifies Payroll Department; processes mass salary adjustments and cost-of-living adjustments
• Processes and maintains information related to the City’s Volunteer Program
• Assists with employee safety and training-related activities
• Prepares and processes a variety of personnel-related paperwork and correspondence; may take minutes at meetings as assigned
• Opens, date stamps, and distributes incoming mail and correspondence
• Creates and maintains Human Resources Department records and files, including confidential personnel files and records; purges files in accordance with the City’s Records’ Retention Program
• Conducts research and works on special projects as assigned
• Represents the Human Resources Department at meetings as assigned and may fill in for the Human Resources Analyst in the Analyst’s absence
• Operates a variety of office equipment, computers and software programs
• May provide training and oversight to support staff

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience/Education

Sufficient experience and education to successfully perform the duties of the Human Resources Technician.

A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess a high school diploma or GED and three (3) years of increasingly responsible work experience in Human Resources in a municipal setting. College-level coursework in Human Resources Administration in the Public Sector is desirable.

Knowledge of:

• Laws, rules, and regulations affecting the operation of personnel programs in the public sector
• City of Rohnert Park human resources’ policies and procedures
• Techniques and methods for recruiting and testing in the public sector
• Basic workers' compensation law and procedural requirements as they relate to claims processing
• Benefit program administration and requirements including COBRA and HIPAA mandates
• Basic knowledge of performance management systems
• Laws and regulations regarding the maintenance, retention, and release of confidential records and information
• Basic understanding of the principles of public sector employer-employee relations in California
• Laws governing workplace safety issues
• Techniques and methodologies for conducting research and surveys
• Modern office procedures, equipment, and computer software applications
• Account and statistical recordkeeping
• Mathematics
• File and data storage systems and procedures
• Correct English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Skill to:

• Type at an adequate speed to perform job duties, approximately 50 net words per minute
• Take accurate notes or minutes at meetings

Ability to:

• Meet deadlines and handle multiple work projects
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Understand, interpret, explain and apply a variety of complex policies, procedures and regulations
• Take responsibility and exercise good judgment in recognizing scope of authority
• Maintain a variety of human resources’ records and files in compliance with laws and regulations
• Proofread and edit documents
• Prepare clear, concise, and accurate correspondence, documentation, records, reports, and meeting minutes
• Conduct research and develop recommendations on a variety of subjects as assigned
• Review applications and other documents to ascertain completeness and accuracy of information
• Learn and apply new technology
• Provide lead supervision and training to assigned staff
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships

Working Conditions

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in the preparation of correspondence, minutes, reports, and forms using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near vision in reading applications, tests, correspondence, and reports, and using the computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and counter service and taking minutes at meetings. The need to lift, drag, and push files weighing up to 25 pounds also is required. The incumbent works in an environment of frequent interruption and around multiple ringing phones and loud office equipment.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Employee Unit: Confidential
Approved By: City Council
Date Approved: July 25, 2006