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HR OFFICER II

Recruitment #18-004916-0006

Introduction

This position is located in Garrett County in Western Maryland, approximately 180 miles from the Baltimore-Washington area.

GRADE

16

LOCATION OF POSITION

Garrett County Department of Social Services

12578 Garrett Highway

Oakland MD 21550

Main Purpose of Job

This position provides professional, fully-proficient administration of all aspects of the Human Resources Management for the agency. The assigned duties and responsibilities include all of the critical functional areas within personnel, recruitment, employment services, classification, injured worker compensation, employer-employee relations, benefits, and general training as determined by supervisor. At all times, the incumbent will provide customer service to both internal and external customs that meets or exceeds the standards set by the Department.

POSITION DUTIES

This position will participate in the formulation, establishment or modification of agency goals and objectives from an HR perspective; participate in the short-term and long-term planning process by attending local department and statewide meetings as required. Provide technical expertise and recommendations to Garrett County Department of Social Services (GCDSS) Leadership Team related to HR activities. Analyze and provide recommendations for improved methods of operation in the utilization of human resources. Analyze data and establish plans directed toward improved performance, job satisfaction, morale and reductions in absenteeism...

This position will also develop and monitor ongoing staff development and training plans. Prepare, coordinate or conduct training, i.e., all-staff annual refresher training, supervisory training on workplace issue fundamentals, orientation, PEP, Workday fundamentals, the HUB, retirement and benefits. Perform on-going policy and procedure development and review in the areas of human resources, training and safety standards. Develop standard operating procedures and desk guides for the entire operations of the HR office. Serve as primary Security Monitor responsible for submission of security forms for employees for system access and maintenance of access to include all mainframe applications. Perform the Quarterly and Annual System Security Review as required and in compliance with audit standards.

This position will also attend monthly Human Resources Committee meetings to share and gather information and share notes with Supervisor Serve as Timekeeper in SPS/Workday system. Serve as primary contact for SPS/Workday issues with staff and SPS Helpdesk/DHS. Prepare leave donation report annually. Interprets and applies various provisions of the Annotated Code of Maryland State Personnel and Pensions and COMAR. Interprets and explains personnel policies, rules and regulations for all staff. Make recommendations to management regarding counseling staff in areas such as tardiness, unscheduled absences, supervisory responsibilities, probationary and annual evaluations, and various progressive discipline procedures such as verbal and written counsels, written reprimands, suspensions and terminations. Investigate, mediate, and defuse difficult employee situations after consult with Supervisor by providing a means of resolution that avoids taking disciplinary action and/or grievance procedures. Serve as a neutral party in disputes between employees or between employees and management. Document findings in formal written reports. Offer solutions based on relevant rules and regulations without escalation to a formal grievance hearing. Participate with the Director and/or Supervisor in conducting grievance hearings at the agency/first step of the hearing process, unless a possible conflict of interest Represent the agency as needed at the second step/DHS level of the hearing process, providing testimony in support of agency management. Provide testimony at other levels of the hearing process if requested. Provide guidance and direction to staff with regard to the interpretation, understanding and application of personnel policies/regulations.

This position also oversees the Performance Planning and Evaluation Program as mandated by State of Maryland Personnel and Pension System. Research and respond to complaints of discrimination in recruitment, selection and classification actions. Advise employees and management on FMLA, American with Disabilities Act, and Equal Employment Opportunity rights, privileges, and responsibilities. Utilizing the JobAps system, develops, directs and performs recruitment and selection procedures in coordination with Supervisor for all positions and ensures that they are in compliance with Equal Employment Opportunities and Affirmation Action guidelines. Maintains recruitment documentation i.e. eligible list, job announcements and advertisements, contact letters, non-select letters etc. Compiles, prepares and submits the annual Equal Employment Affirmative Action report. Conducts, prepares and submits mandated employment clearances; criminal background checks, MVA, SOR registry, CIS/Chessie Clearance and employment references and verifies documentation for minimum qualifications. Maintain accurate and complete personnel records to properly document all personnel actions. Such information includes position/PIN files, position histories, employee-specific histories, etc. This information will allow for periodic personnel activity reports (turnover, reclassifications, and appointments). Conduct HR-related orientation for all new employees.

This position will also perform all duties of Retirement Coordinator as mandated by the State of Maryland Retirement Agency. Maintain certification. Perform duties of Agency Benefits Coordinator as mandated by the State of Maryland Employee Benefits Division. Responsible for ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations. Coordinate Workers Compensation claims including notifying IWIF whenever a work related injury occurs. Maintain workers compensation records and statistics. Process all accident leave requests and complete the First Report of Injury Forms for all work related injuries. Advise all staff members of types of leave available, proper leave usage, and use of the Leave Bank. Process requests for donated leave and Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Respond to inquiries regarding current and former employees Facilitates with staff and supervisors in order to elicit information in determining appropriate classifications for new and existing positions. Interprets and applies state laws, rules, policies and procedures to staff and management concerning the classification of positions and the compensation. Once approved by the position supervisor and the Assistant Director for Administration, reviews, processes and coordinates classification actions.

DHS SHELTER ASSIGNMENTS DHS employees may be called upon to be emergency essential. The Governor has delegated DHS as the primary agency responsible for Emergency Support Function #6. The Governor can dictate an emergency and require state employees to respond. If employees do not report for duty, disciplinary action may occur.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Please read the job announcement in its entirety before applying for this recruitment. Applicants must meet all minimum qualifications to be considered, and to appear on the list of candidates eligible for hire.

EDUCATION: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. (Please clearly indicate your bachelor's degree major on your application.)

EXPERIENCE: Two and one half years of PROFESSIONAL HR experience involving recruitment and employment services, classification and compensation, employee relations, test development and validation job analysis, job evaluation, salary administration, HR program evaluation, or HR policy formulation. (Paraprofessional experience is not qualifying for the minimum experience qualification.)

NOTES: 

1. Professional HR management work in the areas of recruitment and selection, classification, salary administration, employee relations, test development and validation or as a generalist may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for up to four years of the required education. 

2. Paraprofessional personnel work experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for up to four years of the required education. Paraprofessional personnel work is defined as work involving the application of public sector personnel procedures, policies, rules and regulations to specific employment actions. Appropriate paraprofessional personnel experience includes responsibility for activities such as: preparing and maintaining employment records, calculating salaries, applying personnel-related rules and policies, preparing personnel-related reports, conducting employee orientation and counseling employees regarding benefits and obligations and responding to inquiries concerning employment procedures.

3. Thirty graduate credit hours from an accredited college or university in the fields of HR/personnel administration, human resources management, business administration, public administration, statistics, tests and measurements, psychology or a related field may be substituted for up to two years of the required experience.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in human resources management classifications or human resources management specialty codes in the human resources management field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Strong preference will be given to applicants that possess the following preferred qualification(s).  Include clear and specific information on your application regarding the qualifications.

The ideal candidate will possess:  

  • Human Resources (HR)-related experience within a Maryland Department of Social Services or other Maryland State agency

  • Computer software experience with Workday, JobAps, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs and Google Sheets

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a major closely related to Human Resources, such as HR/Personnel Administration, Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Business Management, Public Administration, and Psychology/Human Behavior.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

1. Employees in this classification are required to obtain certification in State Personnel Management System policies and procedures and in the functionality of the Statewide Personnel System from the Office of Personnel Services and Benefits, Department of Budget and Management within six months from the time of appointment to the position. Employees are also required to obtain recertification every six months thereafter. 

2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. 

All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. 

Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience as presented on your application and as they relate to the requirements of the position.  You may be asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire.  The supplemental questionnaire may be used as part of the rating process.Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.  

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service is required prior to hire. 

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application process is STRONGLY preferred.  If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to, Department of Human Services, Examination Services Unit, 311 W. Saratoga Street, Room 134, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.  

All mailed documents must include the applicant's name and the job number and must be received by 5 P.M. on the closing date.  Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the application.   

If additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload.  If unable to upload, please fax requested information only to 410-333-0882.  Only additional materials that are required will be accepted for this recruitment.

All additional information must be received by the closing date and time.  

If you have any questions concerning the recruitment process for this position, please call 410-767-7414. TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay. 

As an equal opportunity employer Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.  People with disabilities and bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.  

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply.




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