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Human Resource Officer II

HR OFFICER II

Recruitment #24-004916-0009

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 1 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

16

LOCATION OF POSITION

Howard County Department of Social Services
9780 Patuxent Woods Drive
Columbia, MD 21046

Main Purpose of Job

As a member of the Department’s Management Team, this position’s focus is to serve as Personnel Officer for the agency’s Human Resources Program. In this capacity, the duties and responsibilities requires the use of knowledge, independent judgment and discretion in interpreting and applying HR laws, regulations and policies to address administrative issues. It also involves providing consultation, personnel expertise and support to the Director, Assistant Directors, management personnel and agency staff to ensure personnel functions support the work and goals of the agency. At all times, the incumbent will provide customer service to both internal and external customs that meets or exceeds the standards set by the Department. 

POSITION DUTIES

  • Provides consultation and guidance for grievances and appeals. 

  • Provides advice and guidance to employees, supervisors, management staff and other public officials regarding HR related matters; recognizes key personnel issues affecting the department: addresses areas of growth and opportunity that may help in the future development and productivity of staff related to performance; maintains accurate personnel records as prescribed by policies, procedures and regulations; manage Workman’s Compensation issues; compile, prepare and submit annual OSHA and financial disclosure reports.

  • Serves as Agency Benefits Coordinator, Leave Bank Coordinator & Retirement Coordinator; coordinates employee benefits programs and provisions (i.e., retirement, open enrollment and health insurance, leave bank, FMLA, SMD referrals) and disseminate information to affected staff, responds to inquiries and performs follow-up activities.

  • Develops job announcements and bulletins for circulation; maintains job posting board for vacancies and testing announcements.

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: Six years and six months of experience, two years and six months 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 two years and six months 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, human resources management, business administration, public administration, statistics, tests and measurements, psychology or a related field for up to six years of the required experience.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in human resources management classifications 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 in a Federal or State sector.

One year of experience working in a Bargaining Union environment.  

One year of experience using Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite.

Six months of experience using Workday and JobAps.

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, Maryland 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 examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience as presented on your application and as they relate to the requirements of the position. You may be asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire.  The supplemental questionnaire may be used as part of the rating process.  Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service is required prior to hire.   

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) holiday per year.

Pension – State employees earn credits 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 supplement questionnaire to: Attention: Cynthia McMillian, Department of Human Services, Examination Services Unit, 25 S. Charles Street, Room 1116-F, Baltimore, MD 21201. 

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 additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload. If unable to upload, please email requested information only to cynthia.mcmillian@maryland.gov. Only additional materials that are required will be accepted for this recruitment. All additional information must be received by the closing date and time. 

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay.
 
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. 

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 candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.



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