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HR SPECIALIST

Recruitment #24-004914-0006

Introduction


When you join the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), you join a team of more than 5,000 employees across the state dedicated to positively changing the lives of more than one million Marylanders each year. We do this by providing economic support, preventive services, and caring for children and adults. 

We aim to deliver services so that we more quickly meet the needs of the people we serve. At DHS, we grapple with hard questions to find new ways to foster a culture of bold innovation. We do this to ensure that in Maryland, we leave no one behind.
 
 

GRADE

14

LOCATION OF POSITION

Howard County Department of Social Services 
Local General Administration 
9780 Patuxent Woods 
Columbia, MD 21046

Main Purpose of Job

The position supports the Human Resources Officer of the Howard County Department of Social Services (HCDSS). The position provides human resource generalist services to maintain a uniform system of personnel management for employees within HCDSS. The position coordinates personnel activities within the department to include Record Management, Agency Administration, Agency Correspondence, Agency Timekeeping, Personnel Administration, and Agency Benefits Coordination. This role provides Employee Relations, Union, and investigative support to the Human Resource Officer.

POSITION DUTIES

  • Completes leave/time keeping processes such as keying leave into the automated system, runs periodic employee leave reports, resolves discrepancies on timesheets and answers general questions regarding leave and leave usage policies. 
  • Independently facilitates and leads full-cycle recruitment for agency positions using Job Aps. 
  • Establishes and maintains personnel files and position recruitment files according to record retention schedules. 
  • Advises employees and management on Family Medical Leave Act, American with Disability Act and Equal Employment Opportunity rights, privileges, and responsibilities. 
  • Responds to inquiries regarding current and former employees; provides appropriate references and employment verifications.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet all minimum (and selective) qualifications to be considered, and to appear on the list of people eligible for hire. Please read all requirements before applying.

Experience: Five years of experience, one year 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 and an additional four years of professional HR management work experience in the areas of recruitment and selection, 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 procedures.

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

3. Candidates may substitute the possession of thirty graduate credit hours from an accredited college or university in the fields of HR/personnel administration, business administration, public administration, statistics, tests and measurements, psychology or a related field for the required experience.

4. 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.

One year of experience working with Google Suite.

One year of experience working with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, & Excel.

Six months of experience working with a Human Resource information software. 

Six months of experience working in or providing support with an organization’s payroll or timekeeping functions.

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 assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

BENEFITS

As an employee of the State of Maryland, you will have access to outstanding benefits, including: health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost. CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR MORE DETAILS: STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS.

  • Personal Leave - new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date).
  • Annual Leave - ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.
  • Sick Leave - fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year.  
  • Parental Leave - up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.
  • Holidays - State employees also celebrate at least twelve (12) holidays per year.  
  • Pension - State employees earn credit towards a retirement pension.
  • Positions may be eligible for telework.

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, First Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, or email trelia.gunter@maryland.gov


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 you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov. 

Do not submit unsolicited documentation.

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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