Human Resources Officer - $70,000/year

Whitehall Township

GENERAL PURPOSE

Performs a variety of administrative and professional work in coordinating personnel and benefit programs of the Township, including recruitment, classification, selection, training and personnel records management. Initial contact between management and employees for requests of salary, benefit and personnel information. Assists Administrative management team in specific endeavors when required. Utilize excellent verbal and written communication skills to disseminate information to employees, professionals, insurance representatives and general public.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the supervision of the Deputy Mayor.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervise clerical support staff utilized for assistance in completing personnel-related functions as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Administer daily operations of Township personnel and benefit programs; providing such organization necessary for the completion of those goals.

Interact with various departments on a daily basis to inform and interpret departmental needs as it pertains to Township personnel policies.

Communicate Township personnel policies and procedures to employees and general public. This includes health insurance, short-term disability insurance, long term disability insurance, workers' compensation insurance, non-uniformed employee pension benefits, and cafeteria plan.

Chief liaison with insurance companies for the acquisition and dissemination of benefit information and plan provisions. Directly informs employees of information.

Distribute information on personnel and benefit issues to employees individually and Township-wide.

Communicates with Bureau Chiefs and labor unions on the notification of changes to existing employee programs and salary information.

Assist Bureau Chiefs in the recruitment, selection and hiring of personnel. Schedule meetings as required.

Reviews all non-uniformed employment applications. Categorize applicants based upon objective job-related criteria and informs Bureau Chiefs of information tabulated.

Actively participates in the interview process, especially as it pertains to assessment of suitability of applicant to the position vacancy qualifications.

Administer job-related tests to non-uniformed prospective applicants, as may be required for the position.

Conduct background investigations for non-uniformed applicants, including contacting former employers and references, and requesting a criminal history check through the Pennsylvania State Police.

Prepare documentation for changes in personnel data, such as changes of employee vital information, salary changes, activation and de-activation of personnel, etc.

Prepares paperwork for invoices such as health insurance invoices for retirees.

Prepares periodic benefit reports provided to Accounts Payable division for prompt payment of related invoices for health insurance, long and short term disability insurance, Section 125 Flexible spending accounts and life insurance policies. Makes proper monthly adjustments.

Liaison with Township's third party administrator for Workers Compensation Insurance.

Reviews, tracks and monitors worker's compensation claims and forwards claims for payment. Generates lost wages payment computations.

Records custodian for all Township personnel and benefit information. Maintains and controls personnel files for all Township active and inactive employees in accordance with current legal guidelines and Township's retention schedule.

Maintains all confidential medical files for all employees.

Records and retains information concerning insurance claims and all benefit reports.

Maintains and disseminates documents, brochures and forms for personnel-related issues as required.

Prepares reports and studies of personnel issues as needed.

Serves as first level of involvement in the classification of positions within the Township. Assists Bureau Chiefs and labor unions in the development of job descriptions listing the essential duties provided to meet the general mission statement of the Bureau.

Coordinates Personnel Evaluation System for non-uniform, non-union employees. Tracks annual review of evaluations and maintains review records.

Provides recommendations regarding personnel related issues, changes in laws and other job related functions to Supervisor and Bureau Chiefs.

Communicates and interacts with insurance representatives, medical professionals, legal counsel and individuals requiring assistance on Township personnel and benefit information.

Assists Administration in the implementation and development of personnel policies.

Participate as a member of the negotiating team during labor negotiations with Police and Teamster Unions. Provides required input when necessary.

Provides input for budget on Personnel related expenses.

Recruiting Officer for all non-uniformed positions. Advertises position vacancies, posts required notices, and responds to public inquiries.

Informs employees and labor union representatives of changes in benefit programs.

Performs related work as required.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

(A) Combination of education and experience of three years in Human Resources environment.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

(A) Knowledge of personnel and benefits practices and procedures, including, but not limited to benefits administration, recruitment and selection, basic labor relations.

(B) Knowledge of all Federal, State and Local legislation governing employment.

(C) Knowledge of computers and computer software, with ability to apply this aptitude in word processing, spreadsheet development, document merges, etc.

(D) Thorough knowledge of proper records management, retention of records and cataloguing of files.

(E) Ability to prepare and analyze comprehensive reports, carry out assignments, and administer existing and proposed programs.

(F) Ability to communicate effectively verbally and proficiently in writing with various employees, Bureau Chiefs, labor unions and the general public.

(G) Ability to learn and apply personnel policies and procedures of the Township, insurance plan benefits, programs and other policies.

(H) Ability to handle stressful situations.

(I) Ability to maintain confidential and sensitive information.

(J) MUST LIVE WITHIN 15 MILES OF WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP (LEHIGH COUNTY, PA 18052)

Whitehall Township provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.