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HR SPECIALIST TRN

Recruitment #25-004913-1003

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Introduction

As a State agency, the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. MOPD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.

All applicants must be able to communicate with employees and vendors and possess the ability to complete tasks in a fast-paced work environment. Applicants must be able to multitask and travel to various courtrooms and office environments throughout the state. MOPD is further committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities by modifying or adjusting the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee be considered for the position they desire; to perform the essential functions of the position in question; or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation imposes an undue hardship. Applicants must be able to operate a computer, cell phone, and other office equipment. 
Applicants must have access to a motor vehicle or be able to navigate public transportation. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Tawanda Jackson, Human Resources Supervisor, at 410-767-8503 tawandal.jackson@maryland.gov.

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender is accepting applications from qualified candidates for the position of HR Specialist Trainee. This position will serve as a Human Resources Generalist with a focus on Employee Relations.

GRADE

13

LOCATION OF POSITION

6 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Main Purpose of Job

A Human Resources (HR) Specialist Trainee is an entry-level professional position in the administration of HR programs in the State Personnel Management System (SPMS). Professional HR work is characterized by the use of knowledge, discretion, and independent judgment in the interpretation and application of HR laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines to address a variety of administrative activities, problems, issues, and projects. Professional HR work often involves analysis, evaluation, consultation, and innovative thinking in developing policies and procedures, in advocating recommendations of specific courses of action to be taken, both through persuasion and negotiation, and in determining the most efficacious and technically sound alternative from several feasible possibilities.

POSITION DUTIES

The HR Specialist Trainee will function as an HR Generalist with concentrations in Employee Relations:

 Duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

●       Serves as the initial contact and liaison for intake and assessment of employee       complaints

●       Conducts initial interviews and gathers information for employee relations matters such as harassment allegations, work complaints, or other concerns

●       Investigates employee complaints and personnel issues by reviewing documentation, conducting interviews with employees, managers, and witnesses

●       Provides advice and guidance to employees, supervisors, and program managers regarding disciplinary actions, employee complaints, and grievances

●       Create, maintain, and update the ER case tracking worksheet

●       Monitor ER case tracking worksheet to ensure cases are handled within requisite timeframes

●       Compile data and statistics related to ER matters and decisions

●       Processes personnel transactions in Workday

●       Assists with timekeeping duties

●       Completes agency onboarding and offboarding processes

●       Performs other duties as assigned by the Human Resources & Payroll Director

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: Four years of professional HR management work experience in the areas of recruitment, classification, salary administration, employee relations, test development and validation or as a generalist.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute paraprofessional personnel work experience on a year-for-year basis for up to four years of the required experience. 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 actions.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university for the required experience.

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

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications. 1 year of experience working with SPMS, Workday, and JobAps or other similar HRIS systems. 

Experience in Employee Relations work, conducting workplace investigations, imposing disciplinary actions, participating in and understanding mitigation, grievance, and appeal processes, and providing recommendations to management and employees for the resolution of work-related matters. 

HR Generalist Experience 

Experience in HR onboarding, offboarding, timekeeping, and benefits.

Experience in processing personnel transactions in an HRIS system.

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, Maryland 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.

RESUMES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE AND NOT CONSIDERED IN THE SELECTION PROCESS.

All information concerning the qualifications, including any required documentation (diploma, transcript, certificate, etc.) must be submitted and received by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be considered.

For positions that require a Bachelor's/Master's Degree etc.:

An approved education review service must evaluate educational credentials from foreign countries. This evaluation must be submitted before hire. For further information, you may call International Consultants of Delaware, Inc. (302) 737-8715 or World Education Services Inc. 1-800-932-3897 or (202) 331-2925.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. You must provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position. The examination for this recruitment will be an evaluation and rating of the information provided on your application. Therefore, the application must be filled out completely and accurately, listing all relevant education and experience, addressing the specific qualifications shown above, and submitting any required documentation (diploma, transcript, certification, license, etc.). Please include clear, detailed, and specific information on your application regarding experience qualifications related to the minimum qualifications, desired, and/or selective qualifications of the position.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application is STRONGLY preferred. However, if you are unable to apply online or encounter difficulty attaching required or optional documentation, you may submit via mail or deliver in person. Please be sure to include your name, identification number (Easy ID#), and job announcement number on any documentation to ensure timely processing.

The paper application must be received by 5 pm, close of business, on the closing date for the recruitment; no postmarks will be accepted. Incorrect application forms will not be accepted.

PLEASE DO NOT FAX OR EMAIL UNSOLICITED DOCUMENTATION

Completed applications, required documentation, and any required addendums may be mailed to:

 

Office of the Public Defender - Human Resources Division

Attn: Janynee Bailey-Covington 

6 St. Paul Street, Suite 1304

Baltimore, MD 21202


We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.





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