Human Resources People Services Specialist Department:

Office of Human Resources Reports To:

Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO)

Classification:

240 day, confidential For consideration, you must apply on the Octorara Area School District website: Octorara Area School District - Frontline Recruitment

POSITION PURPOSE

The People Services Specialist serves as a trusted, employee-focused resource supporting employees, supervisors, administrators, and applicants throughout the employee lifecycle. The position coordinates Human Resource functions including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, benefits and leave, engagement, training and development, HRIS, compliance, communications, and employee programs. The position provides timely, accurate, confidential, and solution-oriented support while helping employees navigate policies, procedures, resources, and workplace concerns. The People Services Specialist supports the CHRO in delivering strategic and operational Human Resource initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, retention, culture, professional growth, and the overall employee experience, while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, PDE requirements, collective bargaining agreements, Board policies, and District procedures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Employee Experience and People Services Support Serve as a trusted, accessible, and responsive People Services resource for employees, supervisors, administrators, and applicants regarding employment questions, policies, procedures, benefits, leave, workplace concerns, performance, and employee programs. Provide timely, respectful, confidential, and solution-oriented service throughout the employee lifecycle; assist employees in navigating People Services processes, systems, resources, and available support. Listen to employee concerns, provide appropriate guidance, identify and escalate complex, sensitive, or high-risk matters to the CHRO, and maintain appropriate documentation and confidentiality. Promote a positive, respectful, inclusive, and service-oriented workplace culture and identify opportunities to improve the employee experience, services, processes, programs, and communications. Recruitment and Staffing Coordinate recruitment activities for professional, support, administrative, substitute, student worker, and other District positions, including job postings, applicant tracking, candidate communications, recruitment records, and pre-employment processes. Support administrators and hiring managers throughout recruitment and selection by providing guidance regarding recruitment procedures, interviews, required documentation, and District requirements. Coordinate required clearances, certifications, background checks, Act 168 employment history reviews, TB testing, and other pre-employment requirements. Assist with recruitment strategies designed to attract, hire, and retain highly qualified employees; monitor recruitment trends and recommend improvements to recruitment effectiveness. Support consistent and equitable recruitment and selection practices and a positive applicant experience. Onboarding and Employee Integration Coordinate and facilitate a comprehensive, welcoming, and consistent onboarding and orientation process for new employees. Provide new employees with information regarding benefits, employment expectations, District policies and procedures, the Employee Handbook, available resources, leave, payroll processes, training requirements, and other employment-related matters. Ensure required new hire documentation, clearances, certifications, Act 168 reviews, background checks, TB testing, and other requirements are completed, verified, and maintained. Coordinate with Payroll, administrators, and other departments to establish new employees in applicable systems and ensure a seamless transition into employment. Develop and maintain onboarding resources and evaluate the onboarding experience to identify opportunities to strengthen employee integration, engagement, and retention. Employee Relations and Workplace Support Serve as an initial HR resource for routine employee relations questions and workplace concerns involving attendance, performance, workplace conduct, communication, policies, procedures, and employment practices. Support the CHRO with employee relations matters through documentation, fact gathering, research, communication, follow-up, and other assigned activities. Assist supervisors and administrators in addressing routine employee relations matters and facilitate timely, respectful, and solution-oriented resolution of employee concerns. Maintain appropriate documentation and confidentiality; recognize and escalate complex, sensitive, or potentially high-risk matters to the CHRO. Support consistent application of District policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements, and established People Services practices while promoting respectful workplace practices, positive working relationships, trust, communication, and accountability. Employee Engagement and Retention Support the CHRO in the development and implementation of employee engagement and retention initiatives, including engagement surveys, pulse surveys, focus groups, feedback processes, recognition, appreciation, connection, belonging, morale, and employee experience activities. Organize and analyze employee feedback and assist the CHRO in identifying trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement. Assist with retention strategies for hard-to-fill and high-impact positions and communicate actions taken in response to employee feedback when appropriate. Support organizational initiatives that promote a positive, connected, and healthy workplace culture. Benefits and Leave Administration Administer and coordinate District benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, flexible spending, health savings, retirement, and other District-sponsored programs, as applicable. Serve as a primary resource regarding benefit eligibility, enrollment, qualifying life events, status changes, and benefit-related questions; coordinate benefit transactions and assist with annual Open Enrollment. Liaise with benefit providers, consultants, and third-party administrators; review billing, assist with reconciliation, and research and resolve benefit discrepancies and employee issues. Works directly with the CHRO for benefit renewals, reviews, and analysis. Administer FMLA, sick, personal, and other employee leave programs in accordance with applicable laws, collective bargaining agreements, Board policies, and District procedures; provide guidance regarding eligibility, processes, documentation, and requirements. Maintain benefit and leave documentation and coordinate with Payroll and other departments as appropriate. Support employee wellness and well-being initiatives, including the annual Wellness Fair, Flu Drive, and similar programs. Facilitate and coordinate workers' compensation processes, including required documentation, communication, and coordination with employees, supervisors, insurance providers, and other appropriate parties. Employee Development, Training, and Professional Growth Assist the CHRO in identifying training and professional development needs and assist with the coordinating employee training programs, workshops, informational sessions, and professional development opportunities. Support required federal, state, District, and position-specific training; track completion and professional development activities. Evaluate and administer annual required trainings and training completion. HRIS, Employee Data, and Records Management Maintain accurate employee information and records within the District's HRIS and related systems throughout the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, employee status changes, benefits, leave, training, certifications, and separation. Provide technical assistance and training to employees, supervisors, and administrators regarding HRIS functionality processes. Compile routine and specialized reports and conduct data audits and reconciliation to identify and correct discrepancies. Maintain accurate, complete, confidential, and secure electronic and physical personnel records in accordance with applicable requirements. Compliance and Policy Administration Maintain current knowledge of applicable federal and state employment laws, Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements, Pennsylvania School Code provisions, collective bargaining agreements, Board policies, and District procedures affecting employees. Assist the CHRO with consistent administration and application of HR policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreement provisions and support compliance with applicable employment laws, including EEO, Civil Rights, ADA, FMLA, and other requirements. Assist with PDE, internal, state, and federal audits and required state and federal employment reporting. Track employee certifications, clearances, renewals, expiration dates, and required training; communicate requirements and deadlines to employees and administrators. Identify potential compliance concerns and promptly communicate them to the CHRO. Title IX and Workplace Investigations Support Support, in partnership with the Title IX Coordinator and/or CHRO, Title IX and workplace investigation processes as assigned, including intake, documentation, communication, fact gathering, investigation support, follow-up, and required process documentation. Maintain confidentiality and appropriately escalate matters requiring additional review or intervention. Employee Lifecycle and Offboarding Coordinate HR processes related to employee transfers, status changes, promotions, leaves, returns from leave, and separations. Coordinate employee offboarding, including required documentation, support of exit questionnaires, interviews, employee feedback, system updates, and coordination with appropriate departments. People Services Programs, Projects, and Strategic Support Assist the CHRO with HR projects, initiatives, and strategic priorities, including workforce planning, staffing, employee engagement, retention, organizational development, and other priorities. Support the implementation of new HR programs, processes, procedures, systems, and organizational initiatives. Evaluate HR programs and processes and recommend improvements to increase efficiency, consistency, compliance, employee experience, and service delivery. Support the research of HR practices, trends, and resources; collect, organize, and analyze employee data to identify trends and opportunities; and provide information to support decision-making. Participate in HR meetings, committees, professional development activities, and District initiatives as assigned. Professional and Customer Service Expectations Provide professional, timely, respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented service to employees, applicants, supervisors, administrators, and external partners. Demonstrate an employee-first approach and treat employees with dignity, respect, fairness, and professionalism. Maintain a high degree of professionalism, discretion, integrity, confidentiality, and sound judgment. Build collaborative and productive relationships across departments and employee groups and demonstrate adaptability as HR programs, systems, laws, and organizational needs evolve. Perform other HR related duties and responsibilities as assigned by the

CHRO. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Management, or a related field. Three (3) years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience, preferably in a multi-function HR environment. Demonstrated knowledge of fundamental HR principles, practices, and employment requirements. Strong organizational, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive information. Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HR information systems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Human Resources experience in a K-12 public school district, public-sector organization, or other highly regulated environment. Experience with Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements and Pennsylvania School Code. Experience working with collective bargaining agreements. Experience with Frontline Central, Frontline Recruiting & Hiring, or similar HRIS and applicant tracking systems. Experience administering employee benefits, FMLA, workers' compensation, and employee clearances. Experience supporting employee relations and workplace investigations. SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or other relevant HR certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The successful candidate will demonstrate: Knowledge of Human Resources principles, practices, and procedures. Knowledge of federal and Pennsylvania employment laws and regulations. Knowledge of benefits and leave administration. Understanding of recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, and HRIS processes. Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements, and regulatory requirements. Strong attention to detail and accuracy. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Excellent organizational and time-management skills. Ability to analyze information, identify issues, and recommend appropriate solutions. Ability to exercise discretion and maintain strict confidentiality. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, administrators, supervisors, applicants, vendors, and external partners. Strong customer-service orientation. Ability to learn and effectively utilize HR technology and systems. Ability to support organizational change and adapt to evolving HR processes and requirements. Commitment to ethical, equitable, consistent, and legally compliant HR practices. The Octorara Area School District reserves the right to modify this job description as organizational needs, laws, regulations, Board policies, collective bargaining agreements, and operational requirements change. The position pay depends on relevant experience, education, and background. This is an estimated pay max. displaced.

Pay:

Up to $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

403(b) Dental insurance Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance Retirement plan Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person