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HR Generalist - Payroll And Leave Coordinator Series

Howard County
Full-time
On-site
Howard, Maryland, United States
$45,595 - $79,673 USD yearly
HR Professional

Introduction

There are two vacancies for this recruitment. 

GRADE

Personnel Associate I:
ASTD Grade 10, Salary Range - $45,595 - $57,716/year (with potential growth to $
70,152/year)

Personnel Associate II:
ASTD Grade 11, Salary Range - $48,486 - $61,464/year (with potential growth to $74,722/year)

Personnel Associate III:
ASTD Grade 12, Salary Range - $51,580- $65,482/year (with potential growth to $79,673/year)


(Salary will be based on selected candidate's education and experience)

LOCATION OF POSITION

Howard County Health Department
8930 Stanford Blvd.
Columbia, MD 21045

POSITION DUTIES

The main purpose of this position is to perform entry-level and/or advanced level of Personnel Associate for the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) – Howard County Health Department (HCHD).

Under the supervision of the Deputy Director of Human Resources, the Personnel Associate serves as an HR generalist, supporting the human resources needs of the Howard County Health Department’s 270+ State merit and contractual employees. This position performs a wide range of HR functions including timekeeping and payroll, employment services, and health benefits administration.

The Personnel Associate provides guidance to management, supervisors, and employees on policies and procedures related to employment issues, leave administration (including FMLA, parental leave, and worker’s compensation), and health benefits. Additionally, this role ensures compliance with HR policies and state regulations, maintains accurate records, and supports departmental initiatives such as the Maryland Charity Campaign. The incumbent maintains confidentiality for all HR related activities and discussions.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities include:

  • Leave (FMLA, Parental Leave, Leave Bank, etc.)
    Coordinates all aspects of the medical and extended leave processes, including FMLA, leave bank, donated leave, parental, and accident leave by advising employees, processing and tracking requests, consulting with State and MDH leave coordinators as needed, and maintaining all required training and documentation.

  • Timekeeping/Payroll
    Oversees timekeeping and payroll operations by ensuring timesheet accuracy and compliance, processing corrections, resolving employee and supervisor inquiries, completing payroll reports, maintaining related records, and assisting with repayment schedules and HealthStats reporting.

  • Recordkeeping
    Maintains accurate personnel, benefits, and training records in Workday and physical files; processes HR transactions, tracks licenses and certifications, coordinates offboarding and equipment return, runs reports, manages records for storage or destruction, and ensures compliance with retention and documentation requirements.

  • Leave Audit
    Conducts bi-weekly leave audits by reviewing documentation, following up on discrepancies, coordinating necessary timesheet changes, and notifying leadership of issues prior to finalization.

  • Other Duties
    Leads the annual Maryland Charity Campaign, completes employment verifications, assists recruiters, supports special projects, and participates in training, emergency response, and quality improvement initiatives to support HR and department-wide operations.

  • Back-up Duties
    Provides backup support for HR functions including processing transactions, maintaining termination files, conducting new employee orientations, and serving as the Agency Health Benefits Coordinator by guiding employees through enrollment, ensuring timely documentation, and staying current on benefit policies and procedures.

This position is eligible for hybrid telework after probation period.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Personnel Associate I:
Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate. 
Experience: Six months of general clerical or administrative support experience, at least three months must have been paraprofessional personnel experience involving the application of personnel procedures, policies, rules and regulations to specific employment actions. Appropriate paraprofessional personnel experience should have included responsibility for activities such as, preparing and maintaining employment records, calculating salaries, applying and interpreting rules and policies, preparing personnel-related reports, counseling employees regarding benefits and obligations, and responding to inquiries concerning employment actions.
Note: Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in human resources assistance classification or human resources assistance specialty codes in the human resources management field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Personnel Associate II:
Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Experience: One year of general clerical or administrative support experience, at least six months must have been paraprofessional personnel experience involving the application of personnel procedures, policies, rules, and regulations to specific employment actions. Appropriate paraprofessional personnel experience should have included responsibility for activities such as, preparing and maintaining employment records, calculating salaries, applying and interpreting rules and policies, preparing personnel-related reports, counseling employees regarding benefits and obligations, and responding to inquiries concerning employment actions.
Note: Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in human resources assistance classification or human resources assistance specialty codes in the human resources management field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Personnel Associate III:
Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Experience: One year and six months of general clerical or administrative support experience, at least nine months of which must have been paraprofessional personnel experience involving the application of personnel procedures, policies, rules, and regulations to specific employment actions. Appropriate paraprofessional personnel experience should have included responsibility for activities such as, preparing and maintaining employment records, calculating salaries, applying and interpreting rules and policies, preparing personnel-related reports, counseling employees regarding benefits and obligations, and responding to inquiries concerning employment actions.
Note: Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in human resources assistance classification or human resources assistance specialty codes in the human resources management field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The desired candidate should possess the following:
  • Experience administering and tracking Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requests, including reviewing documentation, determining eligibility, and communicating with employees and supervisors.
  • Experience with electronic filing (e.g. data entry, organization, cross-referencing, scanning, copying and retrieval).
  • Experience with other medical leave programs such as parental leave, worker's compensation, accident leave, donated leave, or leave bank administration specifically in an HR role.
  • Experience with Timekeeping and/or Payroll specifically in an HR Role.
  • Experience with effectively managing time and resources to prioritize tasks, streamline processes, maximize productivity while maintaining quality of standards.
  • Experience with using Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
  • Experience compiling data from HR databases such as Workday.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related education, experience, dates and hours of work. Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable. For education obtained outside the U.S., any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview). 

Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added. 

Incorrect application forms will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Candidates may remain on the certified eligible list for a period of at least one year. The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies.

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 MDH, Recruitment and Selection Division, 201 W. Preston St., Room 114-B, Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received by 5 pm, close of business, on the closing date for the recruitment, no postmarks will be accepted.

If additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload.  If you are unable to upload, please fax the requested information to 410-333-5689. Only additional materials that are required will be accepted for this recruitment. All additional information must be received by the closing date and time.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the MDH Recruitment and Selection Division at 410-767-1251.

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

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by calling: 410-767-1251 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.