HUMAN RESOURCES TECHNICIAN I
HUMAN RESOURCES TECHNICIAN II
(An Unclassified, At-Will Position)

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under supervision (Human Resources Technician I) or general supervision (Human Resources Technician II), performs a variety of technical, administrative, and advanced level clerical duties in support of the Human Resources department; provides information and assistance to City employees and the general public regarding human resources activities, processes, policies, and procedures; prepares various correspondence and memoranda; coordinates activities related to area of assignment; and performs a variety of tasks requiring specialized knowledge related to area of assignment.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Human Resources Technician I: This is the first level in the Human Resources Technician series. Positions at this level are not expected to function with the same amount of program knowledge or skill level as positions allocated to the Human Resources Technician II level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise. Incumbents at this level are expected to learn the full range of responsibilities and perform duties with an increasing level of independence. Advancement to the “II” level is based on demonstrated proficiency in performing the assigned functions and is at the discretion of higher level supervisory or management staff.

Human Resources Technician II: This is the experienced level in the Human Resources Technician series performing the full range of technical, administrative, and advanced level clerical duties in support of the Human Resources department with only occasional instruction or assistance. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Human Resources Technician I level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, applying well developed technical human resources knowledge, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Work is normally reviewed only on completion and for overall results. Positions in this class series are flexibly staffed and positions at the Human Resources Technician II level are normally filled by advancement from the Human Resources Technician I level.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Provides information and general assistance to City employees and the general public regarding human resources activities, processes, policies, and procedures; assists in resolving routine problems or complaints; researches policies, laws, and procedures to answer questions and respond to requests for information; explains and applies interpretations of human resources procedures, polices, and rules.
• Provides general clerical and administrative support to the Human Resources Department; composes and types letters, memoranda, and other correspondence related to assigned human resources programs and activities.
• Serves as liaison with other departments, outside agencies, and service providers; responds to requests for information.
• Participates in ensuring human resources programs and activities are administered and implemented in compliance with federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
• Assists in the development and implementation of systems and procedures pertaining to human resource functions and operations.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of files, logs, spreadsheets and records including those pertaining to investigation, complaints and recruitments.
• Operates a variety of office equipment including computer, copiers, facsimile machine, and calculator; enters and maintains data in the department’s computer systems.
• Serves as a member on various committees; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of human resources.
• Performs related duties as required. 

Depending on area of assignment, duties may also include:

• Performs a variety of duties in support of the day-to-day administration of the City’s various employee benefit plans and programs including flexible benefits programs, retirement plans, deferred compensation programs, group life, health, and disability insurance programs, and negotiated benefits; assists employees regarding benefit programs.
• Assists in the administration of the City’s insurance programs including the yearly open enrollment process; completes all required insurance forms; acts as liaison between employees and insurance carriers; administers and monitors retiree benefits and short and long term disability as well as FMLA; serves as an information source to past or present City employees.
• Participates in the administration of a variety of retirement programs; assists employees in completing necessary forms; inputs and processes information; makes adjustments to employees plans as necessary; responds to a variety of questions and provides information regarding retirement programs.
• Prepares, processes, and ensures timely processing of unemployment, disability and death claims; maintains follow-up on all claims.
• Participates in new employee orientation activities; provides new employees with hiring and benefits paperwork; makes presentations regarding benefits; provides assistance to employees selecting from a variety of benefit choices; explains coverage and programs; processes appropriate forms and coordinates activities with related departments and/or outside agencies.
• Serves as point of contact for monitoring and performing corrections to the department’s computer system; inputs and revises data; maintains databases and tables; identifies and develops queries; runs reports and queries as requested; troubleshoots problems with the system; provides ongoing training and support to users.
• Participates in benefits billing activities; reviews and submits benefit enrollment and changes to carriers; prepares reports regarding monthly benefit enrollments, changes, and deletions; maintains billing records; monitors employees on leaves of absence for billing purposes; monitors retiree and COBRA activity.
• Assists in the employee recruitment and selection process; enters requisitions and criteria information into computer system; enters applications into system; updates application records; orders written tests; proctors and scores tests as assigned; schedules rooms for oral interviews; participates in updating interview questions and oral interview rating sheets; establishes and provides departments with eligibility lists; participates in scheduling physical and psychological exams; prepares and administers new hire paperwork including those for fingerprinting procedures; schedules fingerprinting appointments.
• Updates and records jobline; coordinates the posting of current job announcements on the Human Resources web page; sends job announcements to appropriate agencies.
• Organizes and administers Employee Service Recognition events; identify employees to be recognized; schedules date of event; orders gift brochures, obtains employees gift selections, and orders gifts; coordinates with caterer regarding menu; participates in setting up room for events; coordinates with City Manager and City Council members regarding presentations.
• Prepares reports and spreadsheets identifying those employees requiring an evaluation and step increase; sends notification to all City department regarding employee performance evaluation procedures including time line and completion dates.
• Conducts and responds to salary, benefit, and classification surveys; computes and compiles survey data and results.
• May represent the City at job fairs and other employment related functions.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Technical principles and practices of human resources management specific to area of assignment.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers.
• Computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Principles and practices of fiscal, statistical, and administrative research and report preparation.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Methods and techniques of public relations and customer service.
• Mathematical principles.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations related to area of assignment.
• Basic methods and techniques of public speaking.

Ability to:

• Perform a full range of technical, advanced clerical and routine administrative and programmatic work of a specialized nature involving the use of independent judgment and personal initiative.
• Provide technical human resources management services independently in the absence of supervision.
• Participate in the administration of assigned human resources programs and functions.
• Answer questions and provide information to City employees, outside agencies, and the general public requiring the interpretation and explanation of human resources program, policies, and procedures.
• Maintain accurate, confidential and complete employee records.
• Understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures.
• Effectively represent the City to employees and outside individuals and agencies.
• Research, compile, analyze, and interpret data.
• Participate in the preparation of a variety of reports.
• Prepare correspondence and memoranda.
• Implement and maintain standard filing systems.
• Type and/or enter data at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Operate and use modern office equipment including a computer and various software packages.
• Work under steady pressure with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact by phone or in person.
• Exercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality in maintaining critical and sensitive information, records, and reports.
• Organize work to meet priorities and deadlines.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Human Resources Technician I/II

Education/Training: Two years of college with major course work in human resources, business administration, or a related field.

Human Resources Technician I

Experience: One year of responsible clerical and technical experience including some experience in support of a human resources program area related to area of assignment.

Human Resources Technician II

Experience: Two years of increasingly responsible technical, administrative, and advanced level clerical experience at a level comparable to a Human Resources Technician I with the City of Escondido.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein 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 job functions.

Environment: Standard office setting. CONTINUOUS working indoors, dust from paperwork. Work schedule is 9/80 with alternating Fridays off in a biweekly period. Work environment is both formal and informal, team oriented, having variable tasks, pace and pressure. Work is performed indoors in office and in meeting rooms.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting and operate office equipment. CONTINUOUS sitting, upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity and light to moderate finger pressure to manipulate keyboard, equipment controls and other office equipment; pinch grasp to manipulate writing utensils. FREQUENT side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending and stooping, pushing/pulling, twisting at waist, moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials; lifting objects weighing up to 20 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 yards. OCCASIONAL squatting, kneeling, reach above and at shoulder height, moderate grasp to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting objects weighing 20-35 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Date: November 2001
Johnson & Associates

Revised: October 2006
Johnson & Associates