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Putnam County

Personnel Department

PERSONNEL SPECIALIST

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is professional administrative work in the personnel field, some of which may be of a routine nature, but much of which is non-routine, highly varied and confidential. Under general supervision, an incumbent in this position exercises a high degree of independent judgment in analyzing problems and developing solutions  while conforming to relevant law, rules, and regulations. Work is performed under general or direct supervision. Supervision may be exercised over a small number of technical/clerical employees. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)

  • Responds to inquiries and requests for information from a variety of persons;
  • Provides advice regarding interpretation and implementation of Civil Service Law and Putnam County Rules and personnel policies and practices to ensure correct and consistent application and compliance;
  • Advises employees on a variety of matters including, but not limited to, contract interpretations, benefits including health insurance, retirement, disability, etc.;
  • Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with a variety of persons;
  • Reviews, maintains, audits and follows up on a variety of civil service records, certification of payrolls, applications, and other documents in accordance with the requirements of Civil Service Law and other laws, rules, regulations, or policies relative to personnel administration;
  • Conducts new employee orientations and exit interviews;
  • Analyzes, evaluates, classifies, and certifies new or existing positions and orders examinations, coordinates with appointing authorities, certifies lists, or takes other action relative to filling a position consistent with Civil Service Law and local rules;
  • Conducts job audits by interviewing employees at their job sites, performs classification analysis and prepares reports recommending changes in accordance with organizational objectives and procedures;
  • Writes and revises job specifications in accordance with departmental recruitment requirements, minimum standards or codes as established by law, job duties, examinations and EEO guidelines;
  • Participates in special projects or studies and handles confidential matters as requested;
  • Prepares support documentation and assists as needed with contract negotiations when required;
  • Participates in meetings, conferences, and trainings to remain current with trends in personnel management, administrative techniques and Civil Service Law, rules and regulations;
  • Initiates and answers correspondence;
  • Uses computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software in performing work assignments;
  • May review examination scopes against job specifications to ensure their appropriateness to job requirements, contacting the County department or local agency, and/or the New York State Department of Civil Service Local Exams, as necessary;
  • May review applications for examination or appointment to determine sufficiency of qualifications;
  • May interview candidates for appointment and make recommendations;
  • May prepare reports
  • May develop and/or coordinate training programs in a variety of areas;
  • Performs a variety of related activities as required.

WHEN APPOINTED TO A SCHOOL DISTRICT

  • Manages all aspects of personnel for non‑instructional staff, and/or instructional staff, including but not limited to: post/canvass positions, prepare personnel matters for inclusion in monthly Board of Education meeting agenda, maintains records of employment status, tracks grievances, assists in negotiation preparations;
  • Coordinates with County civil service office to ensure compliance with state and local civil service law, rules and regulations;
  • Recruits personnel for vacancies;
  • Determines starting salaries for new employees according to contractual agreements and conducts salary studies when requested;
  • Prepares salary projections for budget purposes;
  • Determines employee entitlement to supplemental payments and employee benefits;
  • Administers unemployment insurance program;
  • Administers employee leaves such as Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), sick bank, leaves of absence, and produces related correspondence for employees as needed;
  • Oversees attendance issues for all school district employees relative to substitutes, and processes substitute reports for payroll;
  • Monitors federal and state legislation;
  • Administers employee recruitment;
  • Provides advice to Superintendent, assistant Superintendent, and Board of Education as to personnel status of District and use of personnel resources;
  • Develops systems for efficient and accurate management of district;
  • Performs and/or directs confidential investigations into staff complaints as needed;
  • Monitors employee performance appraisal system;
  • Performs a variety of related activities as required.

Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Good knowledge of the principles and practices of public personnel administration; good knowledge of the provisions of the New York State Civil Service Law and Putnam County Civil Service Rules and personnel policies; good knowledge of techniques used in civil service appointments, promotions, terminations, position classification, organizational studies, wage and salary analyses, and exam administration; good knowledge of employee interviewing and selection techniques; ability to plan, schedule and organize work efficiently and effectively; ability to research, analyze and assess departmental and local agency requests; ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with local officials, management and administrative level staff, union representatives, etc.; ability to ascertain, organize and analyze facts, make valid comparisons and draw logical conclusions; ability to identify and resolve personnel problems; ability to conduct job audits using directed interview techniques; ability to identify and resolve personnel problems; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to read and interpret complex written materials; ability to effectively use computer applications; initiative; creativity; tact; integrity; sound professional judgment; courtesy; neat personal appearance; positive costumer service approach.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree and one (1) year of full-time experience in professional personnel or human resource experience, including the processing of personnel transactions, employee benefits transactions, and/or payroll records.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: In the event enough qualified candidates with appropriate experience cannot be recruited, a candidate lacking up to one (1) year of the required experience may be appointed as a trainee.

PLEASE NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTMENT IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS:

In accordance with the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE) legislation, Chapter 180 of the Laws of 2000, and by the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, candidates for appointment in school districts must obtain clearance for employment from the State Education Department prior to employment based upon a fingerprint and criminal history background check.

 

4/02; 4/04; 5/06; 3/07; 1/09; 5/14; 1/20; 2/21; 8/21; 12/21; 8/22

Competitive Class

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Mission Statement

Our mission is to administer, in a fair and equitable manner, the provisions of New York State Civil Service Law and Putnam County Civil Service Rules with respect to the offices and employments in the classified service of Putnam County and the civil divisions therein, which include the towns, villages, school districts, libraries and special districts.

It is Putnam County Personnel Department’s responsibility to ensure Putnam County taxpayers of a public workforce qualified for their jobs pursuant to the principles of selection according to merit and fitness as set forth in Article 5, §6 of the New York State Constitution.

  • Paul Eldridge

    Personnel Officer

Putnam County Office Building

40 Gleneida Avenue
Carmel, New York 10512

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