Human Resources Specialist II

Human Resources Specialist II

Under general supervision, performs a variety of responsible analytical, technical and professional activities in support of San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) Human Resources programs, including recruitment and selection, benefits administration, compensation and classification, training and development, leave of absence, workers' compensation, retirement, and employee relations; and performs related work as assigned. Employees will be assigned to one or more program areas.

The incumbent independently performs the full range of essential duties described for the class in one or more assigned functional areas of human resources responsibility. The incumbent provides professional advice and counsel to RTD managers, supervisors and employees and performs their responsibilities with a significant degree of independence and application of professional experience and judgment.

Plans and implements employee recruitment and selection activities for assigned job classes; confers with hiring authorities on job demands and appropriate requirements; develops job announcements, advertisements, supplemental applications, and other recruitment materials; screens applications for qualifications; conducts job analyses to identify essential job functions and associated knowledge, skills, and abilities; develops and administers job-related selection procedures, including but not limited to application reviews, written and performance tests, interviews, and assessment techniques; requests background and reference checks; analyzes test results; coordinates and schedules pre-employment physical and industrial exams; ensures that all phases of recruitment and selection comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines; makes job offers to successful candidates; responds to applicant and candidate questions and concerns; generates notices to applicants and candidates; conducts new employee orientations.

Assists with conducting organizational and position classification studies; audits and prepares new or modified job analysis documents and class specifications; assists in recommending the classification of new or modified positions, classes, and class series; assists in conducting surveys and studies regarding compensation and other human resources program issues; performs analyses and assists in making recommendations on salary or benefit program changes; provides classification, compensation, and benefits information to other organizations.

Develops and maintains the departmental salary matrix; develops, edits, and maintains human resources policies and procedures.

Participates in the design, planning, development, and administration of training and development strategies and programs, applying principles of adult learning and proven methods for effective delivery of training for differing skills and competencies; assesses training and development needs through consultation with executives, managers, and employees; evaluates the effectiveness of current or potential training and development programs; develops and recommends goals and plans of action to meet identified needs; selects appropriate training methods; designs and develops training and instructional materials and presentation and visual aids; compiles and analyzes training cost data; prepares and recommends budget requests consistent with agreed-upon training priorities.

Implements, and modifies employee benefit insurance, and retirement programs; administers and monitors employee benefit programs, enrollments, and expenses related to the RTD budget; assists in maintaining State, Federal, and other regulatory compliance for all employee benefit programs.

Serves as a liaison on employee benefits issues between human resources, employees, retirees, terminated employees, dependents, beneficiaries, RTD departments, insurance carriers, contractors, and others; prepares claim forms; monitors employee leave reports for benefit tracking purposes.

Coordinates the delivery of training programs with outside instructors and through local educational institutions and training program vendors; maintains positive business relationships with academic and commercial suppliers of training materials and programs; contracts with external training service providers, including preparing RFP's; formulates training policies and schedules; designs and creates communication materials for distribution; establishes training evaluation and feedback criteria and processes; trains RTD staff assigned as instructors in effective training delivery techniques; personally conducts training programs; coordinates enrollment in RTD-sponsored training programs.

Maintains records and files on training programs conducted and their effectiveness; maintains records of employee participation; monitors trainer performance and participant progress; evaluates training program impact on RTD activities and employee performance; recommends policy and training improvements.

Updates and maintains benefits and other information in the internal human resources designated system; conducts HRIS queries and prepares regular and periodic reports for management as requested; maintains various logs and lists.

Responds to information request for garnishments and child support. Plans, organizes, controls, and evaluates recruitment and selection activities from start to finish of assigned job classes; ensures that all phases of recruitment and selection comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines.

Assists with RTD's tuition reimbursement program.

Interprets and explains policies, procedures, and regulations to RTD management, staff, and the public in assigned areas of responsibility; participates in the development of policies and procedures.

Performs a variety of special research and analysis projects; conducts analytical studies and prepares reports, correspondence, and a variety of written materials; maintains reference materials, manuals, and other educational materials; develops administrative forms and procedures in support of human resources programs.

Assists with managing total leave of absence claim management, from first notice and intake to closure. Processes employee leave of absence requests, including coordination of benefits, accommodations, and return to work.

Researches and develops data and analyses regarding employee relations issues and cases; assists in consulting with employees and their representatives; assists in the resolution of routine grievances, disputes, and contract interpretations.

At the senior specialist level, advises senior management, department heads, managers, and supervisors on difficult and sensitive employee and labor relations issues, including grievance and disciplinary procedures and actions; represents RTD in grievance and disciplinary hearings; works with employees and labor organizations to resolve problems; assists the head of the human resources department in negotiating and administering labor contracts.

Performs individual employee counseling; conducts employee exit interviews; processes terminating employee paperwork; prepares responses to employment verification requests in accordance with RTD policy.

At the senior specialist level, may act for the Human Resources Manager or Director in that individual's absence.

Prepares a variety of reports, correspondence and records.

Present information, proposals, and/or recommendations clearly, logically, and persuasively, including at public meetings.

Represents RTD at meetings and with local partners.

Performs other incidental and related duties as required and assigned.

Knowledge of:

1. Theory, principles, practices, and techniques of public personnel administration, including recruitment, testing and selection, employee relations, classification, job analysis or evaluation, compensation, and training and development.

2. Theory, principles, practices, and techniques of training and instruction particularly as related to adult development in an employer setting.

3. Labor relations principles and practices in a collective bargaining environment, including contract administration.

4. Local, state, and federal laws and regulations applicable to the administration of human resources programs and employee relations practices.

5. Trends and practices in human resources.

6. Basic principles and procedures of record keeping.

7. Customer service principles and practices.

8. Research methods and analysis techniques.

9. Excellent organizational and presentation skills.

10. Principles and practices of sound business communication.

11. Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.

12. English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

13. Policies and procedures of the assigned department.

Ability to:

1. Assess training and development needs and design cost effective programs and approaches to meet needs and deliver effective training programs.

2. Coordinate and evaluate the work of multiple trainers and training providers.

3. Analyze complex confidential problems, evaluate alternatives and make sound, appropriate recommendations.

4. Organize, set priorities, and exercise sound independent judgment and initiative within established guidelines.

5. Interpret RTD personnel policies and procedures and applicable local, state, and federal legislation.

6. Operate a computer using word processing and other business software.

7. Organize and maintain office and specialized confidential files and records.

8. Communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.

9. Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

10. Instruct others in work procedures and practices.

11. Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive correspondence, reports, studies, and other written materials. Represent RTD effectively in public settings on a variety of issues.

12. Exercise sound, expert independent judgment within general policy guidelines.

13. Exercise tact, discretion, and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex, and confidential personnel issues and employee situations.

14. Establish and maintain effective customer-focused working relationships with all levels of RTD management, employees, employee organizations and their representatives, other governmental officials, community groups, and the public.

Education, Training and Experience:

A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined above is: