ROCKINGHAM COUNTY SCHOOLS

Job Description

Position Title: Human Resources Specialist (Retirement, Disability, Leave of Absences, and Unemployment)

Department: Human Resources

Reports To: Director of Human Resources

Work Schedule: 12-Month Employee

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Salary Grade: 65

Qualifications

• Two years of college or technical school OR Three to five years of secretarial experience OR an equivalent combination of training/experience with data entry
• Working knowledge of personal computers and applications related to spreadsheets, word processing, and database management
• Meticulous attention to detail, strong decision making, and problem-solving skills   
• Human Resources experience in a school environment is preferred 

Summary

The HR Specialist provides expert administrative support for the District’s Human Resources programs. This role handles private and complex information that has a major impact on both the HR department and the entire school system. The Specialist ensures all work follows federal laws, board policies, and District rules. This includes helping to design, set up, and check the digital systems and office procedures used to keep the HR department running smoothly.

In this role, you will manage leaves of absence, disability claims, and retirement options. You will also serve as the point of contact for supporting and organizing unemployment appeals. A large part of the job involves providing high-quality customer service by guiding employees through these sensitive topics and explaining complex rules in a way that is easy to understand.

The person in this position must use sound judgment when talking to staff and have the ability to start and manage projects on their own. You will work independently to meet the goals of the HR Department and Rockingham County Schools, performing other duties as assigned to support the team.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage Employee Leave: Handle the end-to-end process for employee leaves of absence, short-term disability, and long-term disability claims.
• Coordinate Retirement and Benefits: Process retirement options and check benefit eligibility for District staff.
• Support Unemployment Appeals: Serve as the main point of contact for organizing and supporting the unemployment appeals process.
• Provide Staff Counseling: Offer clear and helpful customer service to employees, explaining complex HR rules and sensitive topics in a way that is easy to understand.
• Ensure Compliance: Make sure all personnel actions follow federal laws, board policies, and District rules.
• Maintain HR Systems: Help design, set up, and monitor the digital systems and office procedures used by the HR department.
• Lead Independent Projects: Use sound judgment to start and manage projects that support the goals of the HR Department and Rockingham County Schools.
• Protect Confidentiality: Handle private employee information and complex duties with a high level of care and secrecy.
• Analyze HR Data: Review and explain complicated policies to staff members at all levels of the organization.
• Support Team Goals: Perform other duties as assigned to help the Human Resources team meet its initiatives.

Instructions to Applicant

If you are a new applicant, please complete an online application.  To access the RCS online application, go to www.rock.k12.nc.us and click on “Join Our Team”.  If you are a present employee in the Rockingham County Schools, follow the instructions for internal candidates and submit your application. Lateral transfers end on July 1. The transfer cut off date will not affect promotions, demotions or administrative reassignments.

Disclaimer

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.

The Rockingham County School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, homelessness or otherwise in its educational programs and activities and in employment.