Human Resources Administrative Specialist

Jobtailor; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking a detail-oriented HR/payroll administrator to support DES HR, Training, and OD teams in Arlington, VA. The role covers onboarding, personnel actions, timekeeping, and payroll processing, with executive support to the DES Director and COO.

You will manage HRIS submissions, reports, and data integrity, coordinate FOIA requests, and oversee accounts payable related to HR functions, requiring strong communication and compliance with government policies.

Qualifications

• Some college coursework in HR management, business administration, public administration, or related field.
• Considerable HR experience in private, public, or governmental environments.
• Additional education may substitute for experience.
• Additional experience may substitute for education.
• Experience with timekeeping and/or payroll functions preferred.
• Experience interpreting HR rules, policies, and procedures preferred.
• Experience supporting a unionized workforce preferred.
• Experience managing data preferred.
• Experience in a local government environment preferred.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check including criminal, driving, education, licensure, and credit checks.
• Ability to work 40 hours per week, Monday–Friday, with some weekends or after-hours as required.
• Sedentary work ability; occasional walking/standing; lift up to 10 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and administrative support to DES HR, Training, and OD for onboarding, personnel actions, and payroll.
• Lead timekeeping and payroll activities.
• Investigate payroll discrepancies, calculation errors, and data transmission failures.
• Guide DES timekeepers to ensure payroll accuracy.
• Disseminate time-related payroll information to department staff.
• Prepare reports for DES employees.
• Manage administrative aspects of DES HR activities, including HRIS submissions.
• Provide executive-level support to the DES Director and Chief Operating Officer.
• Manage calendars and organize memos, letters, and personnel actions for the DES Director’s signature.
• Assist with merit awards and bonus processing for executive approval.
• Conduct purchasing and accounts payable activities, including requisitions, PO processing, and invoices.
• Coordinate FOIA requests with County attorney’s office and department staff.
• Perform other duties supporting departmental and organizational objectives.

Skills

Payroll Processing

Timekeeping Management

HR Rules Interpretation

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Attention to Detail

Emotional Intelligence

Cultural Competency

Education

Some college coursework in HR management / public administration

Tools

HRIS

Timeclock Plus

Job description

• Provide technical and administrative support to the DES HR, Training, and OD team, especially for onboarding, personnel action processing, and payroll processing
• Lead timekeeping and payroll activities
• Investigate payroll discrepancies, calculation errors, and data transmission failures
• Guide DES timekeepers to ensure payroll accuracy
• Disseminate time-related payroll information to department staff
• Prepare reports for DES employees
• Manage administrative aspects of DES HR activities, including HRIS submissions
• Provide executive-level support to the DES Director and Chief Operating Officer
• Manage calendars and organize memos, letters, and personnel actions for the DES Director’s signature
• Assist with merit awards and bonus payment processing for executive approval
• Conduct purchasing and accounts payable activities, including preparing requisitions and purchase orders and processing invoices
• Coordinate FOIA requests with the County attorney’s office and department staff
• Perform other duties supporting departmental and organizational objectives

Requirements

• Some college coursework in human resources management, business administration, public administration, or a related field at an accredited college or university
• Considerable experience in human resources work in a private, public, or governmental environment
• Additional education may be substituted for experience
• Additional experience may be substituted for education
• Experience with timekeeping and/or payroll functions preferred
• Experience interpreting HR rules, policies, and procedures preferred
• Experience supporting a unionized workforce preferred
• Experience managing data preferred
• Experience in a local government environment preferred
• Successful completion of a pre-employment criminal records check, including criminal, driving, education, professional licensure, and credit history checks
• Ability to work 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with some weekends and work after normal hours as required
• Ability to perform sedentary work involving sitting most of the time, occasional walking/standing, and exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally
• Technical competence with HRIS, Timeclock Plus, and other systems
• Exceptional communication skills, emotional intelligence, cultural competency, organization, and attention to detail

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in payroll processing, timekeeping, and human resources management within a governmental environment. Proficient in HRIS systems and capable of providing executive-level administrative support while ensuring compliance with HR policies and procedures.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Payroll Processing
• Timekeeping Management
• HRIS Technical Competence
• Human Resources Experience
• Communication Skills

Hard Skills

• Payroll Processing
• Timekeeping Management
• Data Management
• HR Rules Interpretation
• Accounts Payable Activities

Soft Skills

• Exceptional Communication Skills
• Emotional Intelligence
• Cultural Competency
• Organization
• Attention to Detail

Industry Keywords

• Human Resources Management
• Unionized Workforce
• Local Government Environment
• Personnel Action Processing
• FOIA Requests

Tools & Technologies

• HRIS
• Timeclock Plus