Payroll/Personnel Specialist

Salary: $21.75 - $27.91 Hourly
Location : Eureka, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 24-00011
Department: Department of Health and Human Services
Division: 516 - DHHS-Administration
Opening Date: 01/22/2024
Closing Date: 2/5/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
DEFINITION
Payroll/Personnel Specialist
Department of Health & Human Services
Are you an experienced payroll or human resources professional looking to join a dynamic team? The Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) is looking for a Payroll/Personnel Specialist for their Employee Services division. This position works with Employee Services, a support unit for the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) employees. DHHS is an integrated department made up of various programs in support of Behavioral Health, Public Health and Social Services.
What You'll Do:
* Process personnel paperwork for new hires, promotions, demotions and separations.
* Maintain deadlines and filing processes.
* Process timecards.
* Assist staff with payroll and personnel concerns. Where You'll Do It:
This position is located at 507 F St., Eureka, CA
This is a full-time position that will be located in downtown Eureka, CA. A typical work schedule is Monday - Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
Under general supervision, performs payroll and personnel functions; provides difficult, technical, or specialized administrative office support; performs related work as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This skilled, working level class is responsible for overseeing and implementing the payroll and personnel functions of a County department. Work includes performance of difficult, complex or specialized administrative office support work, which requires a high level of independence, initiative, and discretion.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
• Receives timecards, reviews for completeness and accuracy, verifies approvals and information for time off, call-back, on-call, compensatory time earned or used, and monitors documentation for all types of leaves; confers with others as needed.
• Prepares time reporting forms for paper and/or electronic submission of payroll to Payroll Division, processes corrections, receives and distributes paychecks.
• Collects, maintains and analyzes information and data, using spreadsheet and other software; prepares a variety of specialized reports and information on a scheduled and as requested basis.
• Maintains and reconciles department position control reports, records new allocations and disallocations.
• Assists new employees with the completion of payroll and benefit forms, provides orientation to new employees including issuance and completion of timecards, new employee forms and distribution of keys.
• Establishes and maintains personnel files for employees in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.
• Notifies supervisors of due dates for employee performance reports, monitors completion of scheduled reports, maintains schedule for specialized performance reports and notifies supervisors as appropriate.
• Coordinates the department interview process for regular and extra-help positions, prepares requests for recruitments and other documentation for submission to Personnel, participates on interview panels, verifies references and licenses as needed.
• Maintains records of incidents, accidents, prepares forms and reports for submission to the Risk Manager; provides follow-up as requested.
• Prepares a variety of payroll and personnel documents for administrative staff; provides administration back up as needed.
• Provides in-put into the development of computerized reporting and data collection systems, works with department information systems staff in testing and revision of software as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Applicable laws, ordinances and regulations.
• Principles, practices, terminology and processes of the completion of an automated payroll system.
• Principles, practices, terminology and processes of a public personnel system.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including the operation of standard office equipment.
• Principles and practices of business computer systems including word processing, spreadsheets, and the use of personal computing equipment.
• Correct English usage including spelling, grammar, punctuation and oral presentations.
• Safety procedures and requirements for reporting and documentation.

Skill in:

• Organizing and prioritizing work, including meeting critical time deadlines and following up on assignments.
• Analyzing and resolving a variety of administrative problems.
• Performing payroll and personnel support work. Interpreting, applying rules, and explaining policies and procedures.
• Organizing, researching and maintaining office files.
• Preparing payroll, benefit, and personnel reports as required.
• Coordinating and facilitating meetings.
• Operating standard office equipment including typewriter, calculator and personal computer.
• Maintaining accurate files and records.
• Exercising sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Other Requirements:
Must possess a valid California driver's license.
Desirable Education and Experience:
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above is: Four years of bookkeeping, payroll, accounting, personnel or similar experience at least one year of which was using an automated system.
WORKING CONDITIONS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EMPLOYEE PERKS
For information about County benefits, visit our benefits webpage:
For details about employee perks, see our Employee Perks flyer:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long does it take to fill out the application?

• You should allow 30 - 45 minutes to fill out your application.

Can I change my application after submitting it?

• You may only submit one application per day.
• You may submit an edited application after waiting at least one day from your initial submission.
• Only the most recent application submitted will be considered. All other applications will be archived.

How long until I hear back from you?

• You can expect to hear back from Human Resources about 3 - 4 weeks after the closing date listed on the job posting.

How can I check for updates on my application?

• You can log into your Government Jobs account and review current information regarding any application you have submitted.

Will I be informed if I am not selected for an interview?

• Yes, you will be informed if you are not selected for an interview.

The County of Humboldt's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Research indicates that individuals in protected classes can be less likely to submit a job application. The County of Humboldt is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where our employees are free to bring their full selves to work each day in an environment that allows them to reach their full potential. The County Board of Supervisors has made organizational commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the County is working to ensure that these commitments are reflected in all we do. The County recognizes that certain populations (BIPOC, Disabled Persons, Veterans, LGBTQIA+ community members, etc.) face systemic and structural challenges which may inhibit their ability to satisfy every requirement of the position. In recognition of these structural and systemic factors, the Human Resources Department understands that experience can be gained in many ways - oftentimes, outside of formal institutions - and strives to take a holistic approach to in assessing an applicant's qualifications for a position.
If you're excited about this role but your past work experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we strongly encourage you to apply.
HOW TO APPLY
A complete, original application must be filed for each position you are interested in applying for. Applications must be submitted online through the County's automated application system at no later than the final filing date listed on the job flyer. All applications are screened by Human Resources staff and may be screened by additional subject matter experts. The most qualified candidates may then be invited for further testing.
It is important that your application shows all the relevant experience and education you possess. Human Resources staff does not consider or review resumes or attachments.
Please read the job requirements section of the announcement. Be sure you meet these requirements since they will be carefully evaluated during the selection process. Your performance in any employment examinations will be compared with the performance of others who take the tests. All candidates who pass will be ranked according to their scores. The examination results will be emailed to you as quickly as possible.
CalPERS RETIREMENT PROGRAM
Employees fall into one of the following tiers based on the date you first start working for the County or any other employer that uses CalPERS for retirement.

• Tier I - Prior to 7/5/2012: 2.7% @ 55
• Tier II - Post 7/6/2012: 2% @ 55
• Tier III - Post 1/1/2013: 2% @ 62

If this is your first job with a CalPERS employer, you will be in Tier III.

• 2.0 means that for every year you work for the County, you will receive 2% of your maximum annual pay rate for every year that you work for us (or other CalPERS employers) if you work the required minimum number of years (that's called vesting) and retire after the age following the @.
• If you work 20 years and retire at 62 years of age, you will receive 20 x 2% or 40% of your maximum annual pay rate every year in retirement payments.

SELECTION PROCEDURE
The County runs its hiring on a set of rules to ensure that it is fair. Hiring and promotion are based on performance and having the best qualifications for the job. "Examination" doesn't always mean taking a test, sometimes it just means how we compare your application to others who have applied, and an "oral examination" means a scored and structured interview.
POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION
The County of Humboldt does not discriminate based on mental or physical disability in the admission or access to, treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. The Human Resources Department is located in the Humboldt County Courthouse, which has an accessible entrance on 4th Street. Accessible parking is available adjacent to the 4th Street entrance and on the 4th Street side of the K Street lot. Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities or religious convictions. Contact the Human Resources Department at (707) 476-2349 well in advance of the examination to request an accommodation.
The County is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
A pre-employment medical examination provided by the County may be required upon offer of employment.
OTHER EXAMINATIONS
Some positions also require psychological evaluation and/or extensive background investigation.
LICENSES
Some classifications require possession of valid professional and/or technical licenses. Some classifications may require the possession of a valid California driver's license.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD
Persons appointed to regular County positions serve a probationary period. This is normally six (6) months but could be up to one (1) year. All designated safety employees serve a one-year probationary period.
EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY
It is the County's intention to hire only those workers who are authorized to work in the United States, pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990. If you are offered employment, you will be required to verify your eligibility to work in the United States. For law enforcement positions you will be required to verify your U.S. citizenship or legalized status.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS
All County of Humboldt employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXAMINATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM RULES.
01
This position requires driving on behalf of the County of Humboldt. Do you possess a current and valid Class C or higher U.S. driver's license?

• Yes
• No

02
Describe any experience you have processing payroll. Include in your response the specific duties performed as related to the processing of payroll and the scope of duties performed.
03
Describe your experience interpreting and explaining personnel rules and regulations.
04
Please describe your experience with preparing personnel documents relating to the hiring process and/or separation process.
Required Question