Human Resources Specialist

Internal Close Date: October 16, 2025
Grade Level: N-1

Salary: $27.50 - 41.25 per hour

Salary Note: Starting pay rates are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity. New employees typically start in the lower half of the range, but experts in their field may be considered for starting pay rates in the top half of the range.

Department/Location: Human Resources

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to provide support and coordination to a variety of Human Resources projects, with a focus on payroll and Human Resources systems; Basic payroll processing, and support benefits, leave of absences, and workers’ compensation injury claims. The incumbent also provides a variety of consultative services to support MPHA employees and leadership at all levels of the organization.

All activities must support the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority’s (“MPHA” or “Authority”) mission, vision, and values.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The position duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties, and skills may be required and assigned, as needed.

• Basic processing of Payroll.

• Analyzes timecards to identify any that are unapproved or missing hours and sends notice to employees and their supervisor.

• Assists with Leaves Administration and Workers’ Compensation processing.

o Maintains physical and digital records of LOA, and creates LOA reports on a regular and on-demand basis.

o Supports the Workers Compensation Administrator, completes initial claim submission upon request, and acts as backup as needed.

• Process Tuitions Reimbursement Program requests.

• As assigned, responds to data requests for information from law firms, other departments, and MPHA’s General Counsel relative to research, data collection, and report preparations concerning lawsuits, information requests, etc.

• Acts as backup for New Hire Orientation.

• Acts as backup in the recruitment and onboarding process: employee verifications, background screenings, application review, personnel file creation, and other tasks as assigned.

• Manages employee clinics (Flu Shot, Hepatitis B vaccine, etc.) and associated processes, by distributing communications for events, scheduling with providers, ensuring employees are registered, and tracking participation.

• Backs up the Administrative Assistant with monitoring and triaging multiple communication channels for the Human Resources department in-person, (phone, email, and teams, postage & interoffice mail). As requested, send all company email reminders.

• Assists with compliance projects, EEO-4 Report, Pay Equity report, Annual Compliance Report, HR related surveys, etc.

• Prepares the reports used to create purchase orders, check requests, and invoices in Yardi for temporary personnel and Human Resources vendors, including payroll & benefits.

• Acts as backup to HR Admin, assists with employee badges - sets access levels, prints new badges, and troubleshoots any issues.

• Acts as backup to Admin to prepare monthly and quarterly reports, labels, and certificates for the Executive department as requested.

• Assists with managing training events in Aspire, invites and reminds attendees. Drafts and sends email reminders - creates fliers, distributes certificates, files certificates, and uploads certificates to the Agency HRIS.

• Creates new and modifies existing HR forms and workflows, working closely with the HR management team.

• Conducts external market research and online surveys for various purposes as required.

• As requested, scheduled meetings and assures all printing and technology-related requirements are organized prior to the meeting.

• Participates in special projects as assigned by HR leadership.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Behavioral Competencies

MPHA expects all employees to exhibit the following behavioral skills:

Customer Service: Meets/exceeds the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identifies, understands, monitors, and measures the needs of both internal and external customers; talks and acts with customers in mind; and recognizes working colleagues as customers.

Commitment: Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and brings issues to closure; and persists despite obstacles and opposition.

Effective Communication: Employee is prepared, clear, concise, and organized in all facets of communication in order to fully establish understanding. Actively listens and understands the audience to adapt the message appropriately. Communicates information with appropriate personnel in a timely manner.

Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts the success of the team above own interests; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Initiative: Proactively seeks solutions to resolve unexpected challenges. Actively assists others without formal/informal direction. Possesses the capacity to learn and actively seeks developmental feedback. Applies feedback for continued growth by mastering concepts needed to perform work.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment requires a demonstrated ability to interact effectively with persons from diverse economic, social, and ethnic backgrounds, including new immigrants, limited English language proficiency clients, and clients with a variety of mental health issues and other disabilities.

Office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Education and/or Experience

Associate degree or certificate in business administration, human resources, or related field, and a minimum of two (2) years of experience in human resources administration. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Some positions may require possession of a valid driver’s license. Those positions may also require the use of a personal vehicle and evidence of individual automobile insurance coverage, or the ability to be insurable under the Authority’s automobile insurance plan at the standard rate. Must pass a criminal history background check.

Technical Skills

To perform this job successfully, the employee should have strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, and Outlook). Must have the ability to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To perform this job successfully, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position. Daily movements include sitting, standing, reaching, and grasping; operating computers and other office equipment; moving about the office; and attending onsite and offsite meetings. The employee must be able to exchange information in person, in writing, and via telephone. The employee must occasionally transport up to 25 pounds.