Human Resources Specialist

Michigan Western Probation and Pretrial Services; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

FERS Pension

TSP (5% match)

Paid holidays

Annual/sick leave

Parking

EAP & Work Life Services

On-site fitness

Telework after establishment

PSLF Program

Job summary

Michigan Western Probation and Pretrial Services seeks a Human Resources Specialist to coordinate administrative, technical, and professional HR work across court staff. The role covers policy development, staffing plans, and employee relations, ensuring compliance with federal judiciary guidelines and HR manuals.

The position involves managing recruitment, onboarding, performance management, compensation strategies, and HR system administration, with opportunities for telework after

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two years of specialized experience.
• Experience in or with the federal judiciary is preferred.
• Knowledge of HR policies, employment law trends, and personnel management.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate HR policies, procedures, and standards.
• Review and recommend HR policy updates for the court unit.
• Ensure HR practices align with the Guide to Judiciary Policy and HR Manual.
• Support staffing plans and staffing recommendations.
• Develop and implement performance management and compensation guidance.
• Oversee recruitment and selection including ads, screening, testing, background checks, and onboarding.
• Ensure hiring and promotion comply with judiciary and EEO guidelines.
• Provide guidance on employee relations, performance, discipline, and benefits.
• Maintain automated HR systems for administration, leave, budgets, and records.
• Administer and track leave programs and ensure policy compliance.
• Supervise or mentor administrative staff as needed.
• Produce internal training on HR processes and systems.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Written communication

Oral communication

Interpersonal skills

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Discretion & confidentiality

Customer-focused

Professional demeanor

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s or graduate degree in HR or related field (preferred)

HR certifications (preferred)

Tools

MS Office 365

Job description

Human Resources Specialist will coordinate administrative, technical, and professional HR work supporting both law enforcement and non-law enforcement staff in the court unit.

Responsibilities

• Create and administer HR policies, procedures, and standards.
• Review, research, and recommend HR policy updates for the court unit.
• Ensure HR practices align with the Guide to Judiciary Policy and the Human Resources Manual.
• Support development and review of staffing plans for the court unit.
• Develop strategic staffing recommendations using existing and potential personnel scenarios.
• Assess implications of staffing decisions on existing and projected budgets.
• Advise court unit executives, managers, supervisors, and employees on HR matters, procedures, and practices.
• Provide guidance on employee relations, disciplinary actions, performance management, compensation, cost projections, benefits, and related issues.
• Manage the court unit recruitment and selection process, including:
  • Preparing vacancy announcements
  • Determining and using sourcing methods
  • Screening candidates
  • Facilitating employment testing
  • Conducting background and reference checks
  • Managing hiring and onboarding for new hires
• Ensure hiring and promotion practices comply with judiciary and equal employment opportunity guidelines.
• Assist executives with development of performance management plans, tools, and compensation strategies.
• Coordinate ongoing staff performance assessment and evaluation throughout the year; maintain a tracking system for employee evaluations and step increases.
• Administer and use automated HR systems for HR administration, leave tracking, personnel budget projections, electronic records management, performance management, and related functions.
• Maintain local HR system operations, including user access and troubleshooting.
• Administer the court unit leave tracking program and advise on leave administration and policy compliance.
• Work with management to anticipate and address potential employee relations issues.
• Develop and maintain fair employment policies and practices.
• Coordinate the court unit Employee Dispute Resolution (EDR) Plan.
• Identify and recommend responses to issues, disputes, and adverse action matters.
• Perform benefits administration, recruitment, orientation, classification, personnel action processing, budget, payroll, separations, workers’ compensation, and records management duties for the court unit.
• Prepare and present internal training on HR processes, programs, policies/procedures, and HR-related automation systems.
• Manage the background check and investigation process, including employment suitability fingerprinting.
• Manage officer badge and credential inventory control and tracking.
• May supervise, mentor, and provide leadership to administrative support staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two years of specialized experience.
• Related HR experience in the federal judiciary or another federal agency (preferred).
• Additional specialized experience beyond the required two years across multiple HR functional areas (preferred).
• Bachelor’s or graduate degree in a closely related field and/or professional HR certifications (preferred).
• Knowledge of HR policies, employment law trends and emerging issues, personnel management principles, and employee relations practices.
• Working knowledge and skill using automated HR systems and MS Office 365.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills; professional demeanor and customer-focused attitude.
• Sound critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented; ability to manage multiple assignments with frequent interruption and shifting priorities.
• Ethics and good judgment; reliable, trustworthy, discreet, and able to ensure confidentiality.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen or eligible to work in the United States.

Technologies

• MS Office 365

Benefits

• Voluntary participation in Federal Employees’ Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and Flexible Spending Plans/Programs.
• Federal Employees’ Retirement System (FERS) Annuity (Pension) Plan participation.
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government match of up to 5%.
• Paid Federal Holidays.
• Annual and Sick Leave Accrual.
• Parking.
• Employee Assistance Programs & Work Life Services.
• On-site fitness equipment.
• Telework opportunities after a period of establishment.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program (must meet qualifying student loan criteria).

Additional Conditions of Employment

• U.S. citizenship or eligibility to work in the United States.
• Judiciary employees serve under excepted appointments and are considered at-will employees.
• Must adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees, Charter of Excellence, and local Vision & Mission Statement.
• High-sensitive position: must successfully complete a five-year background investigation with periodic updates every five years thereafter.
• Appointment is provisional; retention contingent upon favorable suitability determination.
• Mandatory direct deposit for payment of net pay.
• Travel reimbursement for selection process and/or relocation is not authorized.

General notes: All applicant information is subject to verification. False statements or omissions may result in non-selection, withdrawal of an offer, or dismissal after employment. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Job-related testing may be required. The Court may modify or withdraw the job announcement without prior notice. Reference checks are completed for top candidates, and the Court may contact additional references; candidates will be notified prior to additional references being contacted.