Human Resources (HR) Assistant

Tompkins County; New York (NY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Tompkins County is seeking a Human Resources Assistant to serve as a front-line contact for employees, officials and the public. The role involves clerical support, processing personnel transactions and assisting with civil service programs.

The position requires an associate degree plus experience or a high school diploma with several years in clerical work. On-site work in Ithaca, NY, with a salary of $55,000 and comprehensive county benefits.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree plus 1 year of related clerical or personnel transaction experience
• High school diploma plus 3 years of related clerical or personnel experience
• Any combination of related education, training and experience may be eligible

Responsibilities

• Assist with Civil Service transactions and personnel records
• Support New Employee Orientation and onboarding activities
• Create vacancy or examination announcements and post them
• Maintain website content and filing systems
• Provide excellent customer service to employees and the public
• Perform data entry and billing tasks and assist with payments and vouchers
• Attend job fairs and community outreach events as needed
• Collaborate with HR staff and department heads to support administrative processes

Skills

Clerical experience

Data entry

Customer service

Attention to detail

Education

Associate’s Degree

High School Diploma

Combination of education and experience

Job description

TOMPKINS COUNTY CIVIL SERVICEVACANCY

Inclusion Through Diversity

OPEN TO THE PUBLICTompkins County Department of Human Resources Office

125 E. Court StreetIthaca, NY 14850

[phone]Tompkins County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply

TITLE: Human Resources (HR) Assistant

SALARY: $55,000.00

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Full Time

ISSUE DATE: 09/04/26

THE FINAL DATE TO FILE APPLICATIONS: 09/30/26

DATE THAT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM POSTING: 10/01/26

RESIDENCY: Candidates must have been legal residents of Tompkins County or one of the six adjoining counties (Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga) for at least one month immediately preceding the date of application and maintain residency. For Examinations: The eligible list resulting from the examination will be established in accordance with the final earned numerical ratings of passing candidates regardless of residence. A municipality or district may exercise its right under section 23‑4‑a. of Civil Service Law to request a certification of eligible candidates who have been residents of that municipality or district for at least one month prior to appointment. After the names of residents have been exhausted, Tompkins County must then certify the names of non‑residents on the list.

Start date for this position anticipated 12/1/2026. Salary commensurate with experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered two year college with an Associate’s Degree AND one year of full-time paid (or the equivalent part-time and/or volunteer) experience in processing a variety of personnel transactions or clerical experience in an office setting OR
• Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma AND three years of full-time paid (or the equivalent part-time and/or volunteer) experience in processing a variety of personnel transactions or clerical experience in an office setting OR
• Any combination of related education, training and experience equal to or greater than that described above.

Tompkins County is Committed to Equity and Inclusion. We encourage those with similar values to apply.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

This position involves the responsibility of assisting with a variety of HR/Personnel and Civil Service programs. An HR Assistant serves as a first point of contact for employees, municipal officials, department heads and the general public. Responsibilities include but are not limited to, office clerical support, community outreach, creating vacancy or examination announcements, processing Civil Service transactions, website maintenance, data entry, billing, new employee orientation, reward and recognition, maintenance of various records and files, etc. The incumbent acts in a supportive role and may perform duties requiring the application of laws, rules and policies within limited and clearly defined parameters. The work is performed under the general direction of the Director or their designee. The incumbent will perform all related duties as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

May perform various civil service functions as required, which may include reviewing applications, maintenance of employment records, Civil Service examination program, processing civil service transactions and other related transactions;

• May assist with aspects of New Employee Orientation - Including onboarding of all new employees
• May assist with recruitment efforts
• May create and post vacancy and examination announcements
• May assist with creating payment vouchers and credit card reconciliation;
• May assist with website maintenance
• May attend various job fairs, community outreach events, and networking opportunities
• May assist with the Reward and Recognition program
• Utilize a variety of computer programs, HR and proprietary software, databases and management systems;
• May occasionally be required to attend conferences, training, seminars and workshops to maintain current technical knowledge and expertise in various functional areas of responsibility;

Perform a variety of clerical and para-professional duties, as assigned, displaying a high degree of customer service; such activities may involve answering phones, greeting and assisting walk-in customers, operating standard office machines and equipment, maintenance of employee files, preparation of correspondence, record keeping, scheduling of meetings and appointments; and other support activities as needed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Good knowledge of office terminology, procedures and equipment;
• Good knowledge of methods and procedures used in records maintenance and the processing of personnel transactions;
• Good knowledge of the structure, functions and operation of municipal government;
• Good knowledge of Civil Service law and County rules for the classified Civil Service;
• Skill in the operation of an alphanumeric keyboard (speed is not a factor);
• Excellent customer service skills are required;
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to perform close, detail work;
• Ability to compose routine letters and memoranda;
• Clerical aptitude.
• Confidentiality, tact, accuracy and good judgment are all required personal traits;

The employee's physical and mental condition shall be commensurate with the demands of the position, either with or without reasonable accommodation.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:

The employee must be able to sit for extended periods of time within a standard eight-hour work day. Other types of physical effort are minimal with the exception of the occasional requirement to lift boxes of office supplies and paper goods up to twenty pounds. The incumbent’s visual acuity must be sufficient to enable them to see and accurately work with information on a computer screen and satisfactorily perform the essential functions of this job. The employee’s hearing must be sufficiently acute to enable him or her to hear, understand and carry out conversations and a variety of verbal instructions. The employee must have the physical ability to manipulate a computer keyboard and other types of office equipment. These fine motor skills include adequate hand/eye coordination and the full use of fingers, hands and arms to perform the essential functions of this job. Environmental factors include the ability to work closely and cooperatively in close physical proximity with others. They may occasionally be required to work alone. Almost all work is performed indoors in a temperature controlled environment, so excessive heat, cold, humidity, noise, etc., are not factors that are significant to this job. The employee may at times be asked to drive to get to remote locations, or otherwise demonstrate the ability to meet the limited transportation requirements of this job.

Originally created: 5/2023

TOMPKINS COUNTY PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT, 125 EAST COURT STREET, ITHACA, NY 14850