HR Specialist
Controller Job Description
A human resources specialist—often referred to as an HR specialist—helps an employer find job candidates who are most qualified to meet the organization’s needs. They recruit applicants, review resumes, conduct interviews, and perform background checks. The HR specialist may also inform applicants of their acceptance or rejection. Their work often goes beyond recruitment and hiring. An HR specialist may orient new employees by explaining company or organization policies, procedures, and benefits. Some HR specialists also have other duties including benefits administration and employee retention. HR specialists play an important role in maintaining an organization’s personnel and managing their employment details. These professionals can help define the culture and potential growth of an organization. Most HR specialists are responsible for identifying areas of improvement to increase organizational productivity, engagement and value. HR specialists typically accomplish this overarching task by performing a variety of interconnecting duties, all of which mainly focus on managing an employer’s brand and personnel experience within an organization. With this, a major task of HR specialists is to design employee retention programming.
In addition to educational requirements and voluntary certification, an HR specialist also needs certain soft skills (personal qualities) to succeed in this occupation. Interviewing job candidates requires one to have strong listening skills. He or she also needs excellent interpersonal skills including, social perceptiveness—an awareness of another person’s reactions. Excellent speaking skills, as well as the ability to convey information through writing, are other necessary attributes, as are sound judgment and superior decision-making skills.
Most employers will only hire human resources specialists who have a bachelor’s degree in human resources management, business, or a related major. Earning a degree in psychology, particularly with a minor or dual major in human resources or business, can also prepare you for this career. Regardless of the major, coursework should include personnel administration, human resources and labor relations, social sciences, business administration, and behavioral sciences. Human resources specialists aren’t required to become certified but doing so can increase the likelihood of advancing in this field. Two organizations that offer professional certification are the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the HR Certification Institute (HRCI).
- Prepare and review compensation and benefits packages
- Administer health and life insurance programs
- Implement training and development plans
- Plan quarterly and annual performance review sessions
- Inform employees about additional benefits they’re eligible for (e.g extra vacation days)
- Update employee records with new hire information and/or changes in employment status
- Maintain organizational charts and detailed job descriptions along with salary records
- Forecast hiring needs and ensure recruitment process runs smoothly
- Develop and implement HR policies throughout the organization
- Monitor budgets by department
- Process employees’ queries and respond in a timely manner
- Stay up-to-date and comply with changes in labor legislation
Typical duties of a Controller
Skills:
• Proven work experience as an HR Specialist or HR Generalist
• Hands-on experience with Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), like BambooHR and PeopleSoft
• Knowledge of Applicant Tracking Systems
• Solid understanding of labor legislation and payroll process
• Familiarity with full cycle recruiting
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Good problem-solving abilities
• Team management skills
Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources or a Related Field