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HR Series (Trainee through Team Lead)

Recruitment #25-004916-0010

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Introduction

The State of Maryland is seeking HR professionals to fill positions as HR Specialist Trainee, HR Specialist, HR Officer I, & HR Officer II. The application will provide an opportunity to select which role(s) you would like to apply for – you are encouraged to apply for any role in the series that interests you. If you meet the minimum qualifications for the role, you may be contacted by multiple agencies.

All positions in this series are telework eligible. Telework eligible positions generally allow between 2 – 3 days of remote work. The full state telework policy is available through this link.

HR Officer II 
Advanced or lead positions. These positions are designed for those with at least 2.5 years of relevant HR experience, provided they have a bachelor’s degree. Alternatively, appropriate HR, military, and paraprofessional experience will qualify.

HR Officer I 
Mid-level / full performance positions. These positions are designed for those with at least two years of relevant HR experience, provided they have a bachelor’s degree. Alternatively, appropriate HR, military, and paraprofessional experience will qualify.

HR Specialist 
Early career level positions. These positions are designed for those with one year of relevant HR experience, provided they have a bachelor’s degree. Alternatively, appropriate HR, military, and paraprofessional experience will qualify.

HR Specialist Trainee 
Entry-level positions. These positions are designed for those with no prior HR experience, provided they have a bachelor’s degree. Alternatively, appropriate HR, military, and paraprofessional experience will qualify.

GRADE

Grade 16: HR Officer II, $60,987 - $98,313/year
Grade 15: HR Officer I, $57,275 - $92,108/year 
Grade 14: HR Specialist, $50,565 - $80,884/year 
Grade 13: HR Specialist Trainee, $50,565 - $80,884/year

LOCATION OF POSITION

This recruitment will be used to fill current and future vacancies across the state of Maryland. When completing the application, select all the locations you are willing to work.

POSITION DUTIES

The specific position duties of an HR professional depend on the area of HR practice needed by the employing agency and any individual may span across one or more of these areas based on their specific role.

The potential types of HR practice and associated duties include:
  • Recruitment and Employment Services:
    • Reviews applications and resumes for appropriate classifications and to rank candidates  
    • Develops scoring matrices for interview panel scoring of candidates  
    • Conducts training for hiring managers concerning recruiting and interviewing policies and procedures  
    • Prepares position announcements and bulletins for circulation  
    • Prepares job advertisements for local and national publications  
    • Plans and conducts special recruiting activities at job fairs and on college campuses
  • Classification:
    • Evaluates position description forms to determine if benchmark reclassification is appropriate  
    • Evaluates the non-competitive promotion requests to determine if action is appropriate 
    • Reviews Vacancy Downgrade within Same Series list to determine if applicable to vacant position  
    • Evaluates the propriety of reclass and acting capacity requests 
    • Documents justification for class and salary actions 
    • Applies salary guidelines pertaining to various class or salary actions  
    • Identifies and prepares agency annual salary review proposals and pay plan amendment requests
    • Identifies and drafts class specification requests  
    • Counsels employees on classification and salary matters
  • Employee Relations:
    • Reviews requests for disciplinary actions and recommends appropriate resolution 
    • Provides advice and guidance regarding standards of conduct and the performance evaluation process  
    • Acts as an administrative conference officer for first or second step conferences concerning grievance disputes and disciplinary actions and/or represents agency management at settlement conferences and administrative hearings concerning grievance disputes and disciplinary actions
  • Test Development:
    • Researches information and conducts interviews to determine the existence of and magnitude of adverse impact in selection devices  
    • Conducts job analysis studies to identify the job characteristics  
    • Performs statistical analysis to assess the validity, reliability, readability, difficulty and impartiality of selection instruments
  • HR General:
    • Interprets and applies HR related laws, regulations, policies and procedures relevant to the SPMS  
    • Interviews applicants, employees and supervisors in order to obtain information concerning employee and organizational functions 
    • Researches HR, administrative, legal and financial data for use in the HR decision- making process 
    • Determines fiscal and operational impact of HR related actions  
    • Compiles, analyzes and evaluates HR related information and recommends actions based upon rules, regulations, policies, guidelines and precedents  
    • Provides advice and guidance to employees, supervisors, program managers, agency executives and other public officials regarding HR related matters 
    • Explains and defends HR related actions and recommendations to supervisory and managerial staff, agency executives and by testifying in official proceedings such as administrative conferences and hearings, legislative hearings and in a court of law 
    • Maintains confidentiality for all HR related activities 
    • Assists higher-level HR employees in the completion of HR related tasks and functions  
    • Performs other related duties

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Summary of Minimum Qualifications 

The tables below provide summary views of required minimum qualifications. The descriptions are necessarily shortened – definitive statements of the requirements are listed below.

With a bachelor’s degree -- if you have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, you must also have: 
  • HR Officer II – 2.5 years of HR experience in select areas 
  • HR Officer I – 2 years of HR experience in select areas 
  • HR Specialist – 1 year of HR experience in select areas 
  • HR Specialist Trainee – N/A, no experience required

With 30 graduate credit hours in certain fields -- if you have 30 graduate credit hours from an accredited college or university in the following fields: HR/personnel administration, human resources management, business administration, public administration, statistics, tests and measurements, psychology or a related field – then you must also have: 
  • HR Officer II – 6 months of HR experience in select areas 
  • HR Officer I – N/A, no experience required 
  • HR Specialist – N/A, no experience required 
  • HR Specialist Trainee – N/A, no experience required

Without other educational qualifications – if you do not have the educational requirements noted above, the following is required. 
  • HR Officer II – 6.5 years of HR experience in select areas 
  • HR Officer I – 6 years of HR experience in select areas 
  • HR Specialist – 5 years of HR experience in select areas 
  • HR Specialist Trainee – 4 years of HR experience in select areas 
  • Note: 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 may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required experience. 
  • Note: Paraprofessional personnel work experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for up to four years of the required experience. Paraprofessional personnel work experience is defined below.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Definitive Statement of Minimum Qualifications 

The statements below are the official, definitive minimum qualifications for these job series. The summary above is for convenience only – in the event of any dispute, the detailed qualifications below control.

HR Specialist Trainee – 4913

 

Experience: Four years of professional HR management work experience in the areas of recruitment, classification, salary administration, employee relations, test development and validation or as a generalist.

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 actions.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university for the required experience.

3. 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.

HR Specialist – 4914

Experience: Five years of experience, one year 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.

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 one year 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, business administration, public administration, statistics, tests and measurements, psychology or a related field for the required experience.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in human resources management classification or human resources management specialty codes in the human resources management field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

HR Officer I – 4915

Experience: Six years of experience, two years 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, employer relations, test development and validation or as a generalist.

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 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 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.

HR Officer II – 4916

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.

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.

1. Relevant job experience with the US Federal Government and were separated from federal service on or after January 15th, 2025, or relevant job experience with the State of Maryland.
2. Experience using JobAps or a similar Applicant Tracking System (ATS) 
3. Experience using Workday or a similar Human Resources Information System (HRIS)

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

  1. Within six months from the time of appointment to the position employees in these classifications 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. Employees are also required to obtain recertification every six months thereafter. 
  2. Employees in these classifications 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.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Your application will be reviewed by an HR analyst to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for these positions (listed above). Please make sure that you provide complete and accurate information on your application showing all relevant experience and education.

After your application is reviewed, you will receive a notice to your online account of whether you meet the minimum qualifications. If you did meet that threshold, your application will be forwarded to one or more State agencies with vacancies and you may hear from them to begin an interview process.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, 301 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov or 410-767-4850, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

The State of Maryland is committed to diversity among its staff, and recognizes that its continued success requires the highest commitment to obtaining and retaining a diverse staff that provides the best quality services to supporters and constituents. The State of Maryland is an equal opportunity employer and it is our policy to recruit, hire, train, promote and administer any and all personnel actions without regard to sex, race, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity or expression, ethnic identity or disability, or any other legally protected basis. The State of Maryland is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the hiring process and on the job, as required by applicable law. The State of Maryland will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination and any such conduct is strictly prohibited.



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