Human Resources Specialist

DESCRIPTION
Human resources specialists are responsible for delivering a wide range of human resources services to employees in companies in almost every business sector. They provide a multitude of employee and employment-related activities.

Employee Relations
A human resources specialist serves as the initial point of contact for company employees, current, new, and prospective. These specialists handle a variety of employee issues and inquiries. They are also responsible for explaining personnel policies, benefits, and procedures in addition to evaluating employee performance, addressing employee concerns, and relaying concerns to the management team.

New Hire Responsibilities
Human resources specialists analyze job requirements to create and post job vacancies and then process and review subsequent employment applications to evaluate the qualifications of the applicants. Once they have selected eligible applicants, human resource specialists coordinate the interviewing and selection of employees. Once new employees are hired, human resources specialists coordinate and lead the orientation process as well as design, develop, and facilitate any training needs of new employees.

Information/Records Management
Human resources specialists use computer skills in maintaining employee-related data and records. They compose, compile and maintain employee records and files such as employee contact information, supervisory reports, performance evaluations, training documentation and attendance. They are also responsible for providing payroll and benefits administration to employees.

Legal and Regulatory Responsibilities
Human resources specialists must maintain a current knowledge of applicable federal, state and local employment laws. They must understand and ensure company compliance with standards set forth in regulations pertaining to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action guidelines and laws.

Affirmative Action guidelines and laws.
Since human resources specialists are responsible for a wide array of tasks that revolve around company employees, it is important for them to have strong organizational and interpersonal skills. In addition to excellent oral and written communication skills, human resources specialists should also have strong leadership abilities and effective conflict resolution skills.

EMPLOYERS
Virtually all companies with a minimum of 15 employees typically have a human resources department to ensure compliance with labor legislation.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
For this job, a four-year degree in human resource management, labor relations, business administration or similar field is required. Some larger companies might prefer applicants who have graduate level degrees or specialized certificates.

LINKS TO CAREER/INDUSTRY RESOURCES
Minute Mentor – How to Start a Career in Human Resources (HR): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJmUIY76BYs
O*NET Online: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-1071.00
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): http://www.shrm.org/Pages/default.aspx
Professionals in Human Resources Association: http://www.pihra.org/
HR.com: http://www.hr.com/
HumanResources.com: http://www.humanresources.com/