Human Resources Specialist

Human Resources SpecialistThe City of Rochester welcomes applications for: Human Resources Specialist. The City of Rochester is committed to a community where all members feel a sense of belonging. We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening to ALL voices and providing equitable services to create an inclusive place to live, play and work. We believe EQUITY should be at the center of all our work. We strive to represent our community in our teammates, as we know that diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative, and have an empowering impact on the work, progress and culture of our community. It takes us all working together.Nature of Work: The Human Resources Specialist provides professional and administrative support across multiple HR functional areas, including payroll administration, recruitment and workplace safety. The role serves as the first point of contact for employees and the public by providing front desk and phone support. Duties include: accurate and timely completion of payroll processing tasks; processing accounts payable; posting and advertising open vacancies; answering customer inquiries; and data entry.Limited Term: This position is anticipated to last 18 - 24 months to support the City of Rochester's implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. This role is contingent upon the availability of allocated funds, as well as favorable performance by the incumbent.2026 Starting Rate of Pay $32.94 per hour with advancement to $40.62 per hour. Work schedule The regular work schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. This position will be 100% onsite. To have your application considered in the first round of reviews, please apply before December 29, 2025. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The City of Rochester will not sponsor or transfer visas for this position including F1 OPT STEM.Duties and Responsibilities*Office and Administrative SupportServe as a receptionist for the HR Department; receive incoming calls and respond to inquiries or transfers to appropriate staff; greet office guests and assist with their needs.Respond to employment verification requests by telephone or utilizing written documentation.Process departmental invoices and accounts payable on a monthly basis.Respond to routine benefit inquiries and changes.Compose documents, create new forms/formats, assemble and distributes various materials to designated audiences, assist with miscellaneous data-entry assignments.Make updates to the HR internal and external websites.Administer key card/secure access system for City Hall.*PayrollCompute and ensure accuracy of wages and deductions. Enter data into payroll system.Record employee information such as labor contract data, job code changes, transfers, promotions, terminations, resignations, etc., in the payroll system to maintain current information.Verify unemployment claim information and respond appropriately to requests for information.Assist with filing mandated State and Federal reports relating to payroll and benefits.Lead a segment of the new employee onboarding process by providing information relative to benefit, City policies, and the electronic enrollment process.*RecruitmentPost job vacancy announcements in the City's applicant tracking system and advertise positions on various sources including, social media, web-based recruitment boards, colleges and universities, trade schools, professional organizations, and community groups.Respond to applicant written and verbal inquiries; assist job candidates with technological problems.Schedule interviews and related pre-employment tests.Maintain applicant database for all relevant job vacancies. This includes correspondence, posting announcements, interview notes, interview schedules, employment offers and new employee notifications.Maintain the database of job descriptions.Draft employment offers and process new employee notification form.*Safety ProgramSchedule routine drug and alcohol employee tests; respiratory tests, and auditory tests; serve as a departmental liaison with outside vendors and respond to internal inquiries.Assist with data tracking of various programs.Gather, verify and enter data into the workers' compensation claim system.Obtain work status information from the treating physicians.Perform other duties as assigned or necessary.Essential Functions Minimum QualificationsEducation and Experience: An Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in the field of business administration, human resources, accounting or a closely related field and three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in human resource or computerized payroll processing work. OR A high school graduate plus five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in human resource or computerized payroll processing work in a setting with similar duties of this position description. OR An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job may also be considered.Desirable QualificationsBachelor's degree in human resource management or accounting. Experience working in a public/governmental organization is preferred. Experience working with HR programs, like JD Edwards, NeoGov and Kronos.Physical and Environmental CriteriaIn compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation. In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below:Continuous demands: sitting, fine dexterityFrequent demands: standing, walkingOccasional demands: lifting, carrying, reaching, handling, climbing, kneeling, crouching, bending, twistingSensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, hearing, touch.Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job include: NONE (not substantially exposed to environmental conditions)Employee Benefit and Retirement SummaryThe following supplemental information may be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Be certain that the choices you make correspond to the information you have provided in your application and resume. You must be honest and accurate in answering the supplemental questions and do not type "see resume". You may also be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview for this position. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is true and accurate. Any information provided may be reviewed by the hiring manager. Any misstatements or falsification of information will eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal.Do you understand and agree with this statement?YesNoWhat is your preferred name?Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status)?YesNoWhich of the following best describes your level of education?High school diploma or equivalent G.E.D.Less than 2 years post-secondary trainingCompletion of a 2 year program or degreeCompletion of a 4 year program or degreeCompletion of a Master's degree or higherNone of the aboveOther than your High School diploma/GED, which of the following best describes the field of study for your degree?Business AdministrationHuman ResourcesAccountingA field of study closely related to the aboveMy degree is in an area NOT RELATED to any of the aboveN/A - I do not have a degreeWhich of the following best describes your years of full-time employment experience performing human resources functions?No ExperienceLess than 1 yearMore than 1 year, but less than 2 yearsMore than 2 years, but less than 3 yearsMore than