General Information

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The City of Ames is conducting a recruitment to fill a position for Human Resources Specialist. This recruitment will establish a Civil Service eligibility list for this classification. The list will be valid for up to one year from the date of certification by the Ames Civil Service Commission and may be used to fill one or more vacancies in this classification. In addition, City of Ames Civil Service employees who have previously held Civil Service status in this classification and are interested in voluntarily demoting or laterally transferring into the current vacancy must submit their application by the deadline.

Under general supervision of the department Director, the Human Resources Specialist performs professional work in the areas of recruitment and selection, employee development, research and quantitative analysis, while also performing other related work as required.

In order to be considered for this position, all applicants must submit their online application by the deadline listed on this posting. Your application includes complete responses to any listed supplemental questions. Please keep in mind that submission of a resume in lieu of work history on your application or answering the supplemental questions is not sufficient.

Compensation Philosophy:
The City of Ames has a compensation philosophy that the starting pay for our merit salary ranges establishes the salary for employees who meet minimum requirements of a position. The median of any merit salary range is for an employee who can reasonably meet all expectations of the position responsibilities without initial extensive training. In order for employees to have an opportunity to grow within their position, we may consider a candidate's education, experience, and skills above the minimum requirements when looking at a salary closer to or slightly above the median. The median salary for this position is $73,917.

Benefits
Our comprehensive benefits package can be viewed at:  City of Ames Benefits

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please visit:
PSLF Program 

Examples of Essential Job Functions

Plans and conducts part-time and temporary recruitments, plans and conducts full-time recruitments as assigned; screens applicants, develops and administers selection examinations including written/performance tests, coordinates interviews, and other selection procedures.  Conducts reference checks as needed. Works with departments to update job descriptions.  Surveys compensation and other practices of comparable employers. Completes special projects as assigned; Assists supervisors and employees with routine policy information. Maintains human resources web pages.  Maintains city-wide organizational chart for distribution and presentation.  Uses computer and software to prepare detailed analysis of data into charts, graphs, worksheets and other documents. Uses specialized human resource programs such as an online applicant tracking system, learning management system, HRMS, and payroll system. Assists Human Resources Officers with logistics for Employee Development Center and new employee onboarding classes, including room setup and tear down, refreshments, etc. Assures that all work complies with the policies and procedures established by the City of Ames, Ames Civil Service Commission, and Human Resources Director; and federal, state and local statutes.

Other Job Functions: Moves tables, chairs, etc. to prepare rooms for testing, training, or presentations. Carries supplies such as tests or training materials. Occasionally conducts work outside the normal Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm office hours. 

Each employee is expected to continually strive to bring shared values to life through our Excellence Through People organizational culture. ETP values include: committing to continuous improvement; inspiring creativity and innovation; being customer driven; making data-driven decisions; committing to diversity, equity, and inclusion; championing employee involvement; striving for excellence; having fiscal stewardship; acting with honesty and integrity; exhibiting leadership; choosing a positive attitude; respecting one another; promoting safety and wellness; and cultivating teamwork. For leaders, this includes creating a work culture that brings these values to life. For all employees, this includes maintaining a Total City Perspective. The purpose of ETP is to deliver exceptional services to the public at the best price, and for employees to experience an enjoyable and stimulating work environment. 

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in human resource management, business administration, public administration, psychology or industrial relations and at least one year working in a human resources environment.

Preferred Education and Experience:
Public sector Human Resources experience is preferred, but not required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 
Basic knowledge of the principles and practices of the human resources profession including recruitment, selection, testing, classification, wage and salary, basic knowledge of laws and legislative trends related to recruitment, selection, testing, classification and compensation.  Considerable expertise in the use of sophisticated computer software such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.  Knowledge of basic statistical concepts and methods. Knowledge of automated systems as applied to human resource management. Knowledge of business etiquette and protocol.
 
Skill in planning, coordinating, and carrying out recruitments, complex projects, and multiple tasks. Skill in verbal and written communication. Skill in developing and analyzing statistical data. Skill in the use of spreadsheet, database and word processing software. Skill in planning and conducting surveys.  Interpersonal skills in interacting with others in a variety of business situations, including business/social settings such as interacting with service providers and external subject matter experts.
 
Ability to develop effective working relationships with employees, management, outside individuals and groups, and applicants. Ability to present self in a poised, professional and appropriate manner in a variety of situations. Ability to deal with sensitive and confidential situations in a professional manner. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.  Ability to use time, material, and staff resources effectively and efficiently. Ability to comprehend the City’s organizational culture and subcultures and implications for human resource activities.

Supplemental Information

Required Physical Activities: Sitting, standing, walking, reaching, pushing, pulling, grasping, lifting, talking, hearing, repetitive motions.

Characteristics of Work: Primarily sedentary; frequent standing, walking; frequent lifting and carrying objects under 10 pounds; occasionally lifting or carrying objects up to 50 pounds.

Vision Requirements: The minimum for those whose work is involved primarily with extensive reading, and preparing and analyzing text and/or data, and the use of a computer terminal.

Environmental Conditions: The employee ordinarily works in an office environment and is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Equipment Used to Perform Essential Functions: Computer hardware such as keyboard, monitor, printer, etc.  Computer software such as, payroll system, HRMS, word processing, spreadsheet, internet, database, etc.  Reference materials.  General office equipment such as writing utensils, files and file cabinets, telephone, copy machine, etc.

Selection Process:
The selection process consists of an evaluation of education and experience, phone interview, hiring assessment, on-site interview including a manager meeting and written exercise and completion of a criminal background check, which includes a sex offender registry check. All candidates will be notified by email of their application status.

**Preference may be given to applicants possessing qualifications above the minimum.**

Depending on the number of qualified candidates, the City may forego phone interviews.