Human Resources Certification & Administrative Support Specialist

Human Resources Certification & Administrative Support Specialist

Reporting to the Human Resources Director, the Front Office Certification Support Specialist is responsible for managing the Human Resources Department front office reception, coordinating employee certification and licensure records, and providing administrative support to the department. This position provides quality services in an efficient, timely and professional manner while maintaining a high level of customer service for employees, applicants, and visitors. This position requires strong attention to detail to ensure employee certifications and licenses are current, valid, and accurately maintained.

Our mission is to ensure that all scholars are educated, self-directed and productive members of society.

Required Education and Experience:

• Associate degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of one (1) year of human resources, or related field: Experience providing customer service in a fast-paced office environment. Experience working with a human resources information system (HRIS). Experience maintaining confidential employee records and databases. Experience interpreting and applying policies, procedures, and regulations.

Preferred:

• Experience working in a K-12 educational setting.
• Experience with educator certification and licensure, including the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of human resources practices, procedures, and educator certification and licensure requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, and experience using HR information systems.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with employees, administrators, applicants, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to identify, analyze, and resolve problems and provide effective customer service.
• Ability to work collaboratively and establish effective working relationships with diverse populations.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to compile, analyze, and maintain accurate records and data.

Essential Job Functions:

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Provides professional and timely customer service to employees, applicants, visitors, and callers; monitors and responds to the Human Resources email inbox and directs inquiries to appropriate HR staff.
• Processes daily incoming and outgoing mail, confidential documents, employment verification requests, loan forgiveness applications, unemployment claims, resignations, and retirements.
• Compiles data and prepares reports required by the District and state or federal agencies.
• Coordinates and processes substitute stipend payments and serves as backup for reviewing and processing Additional Work Forms (AWF).
• Maintains accurate, timely, and confidential Human Resources records and documentation.
• Attends required training and professional development activities as needed.

Certification and Licensure Responsibilities:

• Enters, tracks, verifies, and maintains employee certification, licensure, and permit records in accordance with Michigan Department of Education (MDE) requirements; coordinates required permits through the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) and Special Education approvals through KISD and MDE.
• Conducts an annual review of employee credentials and coordinates required permits for employees who do not hold appropriate certification or licensure.
• Provides administrators with annual and as-needed communication regarding certification, licensure, and renewal requirements and communicates employee certification status and updates to principals and Chief Area Instructional Leaders (CAILs).
• Monitors changes in District, state, and federal certification and licensure requirements and communicates updates to HR Generalists, HR Specialist, and the HR Director to ensure District compliance.
• Generates monthly certification, licensure, and permit reports and collaborates with the HR Generalists and HR Specialist to address discrepancies and ensure records maintain accurate and current.
• Participates in annual principal staffing and budget planning meetings to provide certification, licensure, and permit information and identify potential compliance requirements related to proposed staffing plans.

Consistently demonstrate dependable attendance and punctuality. Perform other duties as assigned.

The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Grand Rapids Public Schools will not discriminate against any person based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, height, weight, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran, or military status. Assistance with the application process may be requested through the Human Resources Department.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. The District reserves the right to modify or amend this job description to meet organizational needs.