HR Specialist

Job Purpose: 

We are looking for a friendly, organized, and professional HR Specialist to join our team. The HR Specialist provides comprehensive support across human resources functions and serves as a reliable point of contact for employees and leadership. This role supports recruiting, onboarding, payroll, benefits administration, compliance, and employee records while ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and timely follow-through.

The HR Specialist exercises sound judgment, strong organizational skills, and professionalism in supporting day-to-day HR operations. Works under the direction of the HR Manager and escalates employee relations, policy interpretation, and disciplinary matters as appropriate.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Recruitment & Onboarding

· Support full-cycle recruiting, including job postings, applicant screening, daily outreach, and interview coordination

· Coordinate background checks, fingerprinting, reference checks, and new-hire drug screening

· Complete post-hire checklists and initiate new-employee personnel files

· Assist and facilitate onboarding of new hires, including presenting information and supporting onboarding sessions as part of the HR team

· Complete I-9 forms and verify documentation

· File documents into appropriate employee files for new and existing employees in compliance with employment laws and licensing requirements

· Maintain HRIS records, Quick Connect, and other internal staffing systems

· Help ensure new hire and ongoing compliance with Article 74, federal, state, and local employment laws

2. HR Operations & Employee Support

· Serve as a professional point of contact for employee questions and HR-related requests

· Maintain accurate and confidential employee personnel and medical files

· Process verification of employment (VOEs) and documentation requests

· Support employee lifecycle changes, including status updates, leaves, and separations

· Collaborate closely with the HR Manager and HR team to support payroll, benefits, compliance, and onboarding activities

3. Compliance & Licensing

· Monitor and audit personnel files to ensure compliance with agency, licensing, and regulatory requirements

· Learn, apply, and support compliance with Article 74 and other applicable regulations

· Track required documents, expirations, and employee compliance items

· Support internal audits and licensing reviews

· Administrative & General Duties

· Maintain accurate HR records and trackers

· Perform clerical tasks including filing, scanning, mailing, and document management

· Participate in department goals, projects, and continuous improvement efforts as part of the HR team

· Perform other HR-related duties as assigned.

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to type and handle paperwork; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stoop, kneel, or crouch when filing. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. 

Skills & Qualifications:

· HR Experience: At least one year of experience supporting HR functions such as recruiting, payroll, benefits, or compliance. Payroll, benefits, garnishments, or employee relations experience preferred.

· HR Certification: any HR certification preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience

· Job Knowledge: Competent in required HR skills; able to learn and apply new procedures; keeps abreast of HR development; understands how the role connects with others; uses resources effectively.

· Recruitment & Staffing: Utilizes recruitment sources; presents a positive and realistic view of the organization; supports staffing needs, including screening and onboarding.

· Organizational Support: Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organizational goals and values.

· Dependability: Follows instructions, responds to direction, takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; completes tasks on time or communicates alternate plans.

· Planning & Organizing: Prioritizes and plans work efficiently; uses time effectively; organizes or schedules tasks for self and team when applicable.

· Communication & Professionalism: Professional, approachable, and service-oriented communication style; high level of discretion; able to handle confidential information.

· Adaptability: Flexible and dependable in a fast-paced, changing environment.

· Education: High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.