Description

The Human Resources and Safety Specialist provides comprehensive support to the Human Resources (HR) and Safety departments, ensuring the cooperative maintains compliance with employment laws, safety regulations, and organizational policies. This position serves as a key resource for employee inquiries, safety programs, benefits administration, training coordination, and regulatory compliance. The role requires a proactive professional who can balance HR responsibilities with safety program support, contributing to a safe and productive workplace.  

Nature and Scope of Position (Essential Duties and Responsibilities): 

• Support and incorporate the Cooperative’s Mission, Vision and Values in professional behavior and decision-making.      
• Comply with all Cooperative policies, procedures, goals and objectives and meet attendance and punctuality guidelines.
•  Understand, observe and enforce cooperative safety and security procedures and report potentially unsafe conditions to department supervisor and/or safety department personnel.  
• Maintain and ensure the highest level of confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.   
•  Human Resources Administration:
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee personnel files and HR records in compliance with company policies and legal requirements.
• •  Assist with recruitment, onboarding, and employee status changes, including preparation of new hire and termination documentation.
  • Process bi-weekly payroll, verifying time records and ensuring accurate deductions for benefits and other programs. Ensure all current applicable wage and hour laws are adhered to and pay policies are interpreted and applied correctly.
  •  Prepare HR-related correspondence, reports, and documentation as needed.
•  Benefits Administration:
• •  Administer employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement plans.
  •  Serve as the primary point of contact for employees and retirees regarding benefits inquiries and eligibility.
  •  Coordinate annual open enrollment and ensure timely processing of benefit enrollments and changes.
  •  Reconcile monthly benefit invoices and maintain accurate records of benefit deductions.
  •  Process FMLA, short-term disability, and other leave programs, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and policies.
•  Safety Department Administration:
• •  Maintain and update employee driver qualification files in accordance with Department of Transportation (DOT) and company requirements.
  •  Administer the Drug and Alcohol Testing Program, including scheduling pre-employment, random, and post-accident testing and maintaining related documentation.
  •  Track employee safety training records, certifications, and renewals.
  •  Assist with incident and accident reporting, documentation, and follow-up actions.
  •  Complete OSHA recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
  •  Coordinate safety meetings, training sessions, and maintain accurate attendance records.
  •  Provide administrative support for safety initiatives, audits, and compliance tracking.
• Maintains external relations with retirees, third-party administrators, BWC, managed care organizations, NRECA, and medical facilities utilized in the administration of the drug & alcohol policy.  
• Performs other related work in addition to other duties as may be assigned. 

Requirements

Experience and Education:  Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field. Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in HR, benefits, or safety administration or an equivalent combination of experience, education and/or training. Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.  Possess strong math aptitude and the ability to work with numbers.

Certificates, Licenses and Training:   Must maintain a valid driver’s license and be able to attend meetings and/or training seminars when requested and travel to and from field office locations upon request. Working understanding of human resource principles, practices and procedures. Prior training and/or working experience in benefits administration, payroll, FMLA, ADA, Workers’ Compensation and OSHA preferred.

Language and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills. Excellent organizational, communication, and administrative skills.  Must be detail oriented with excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.

Other Skills and Abilities:  Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment. Perform a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature, without loss of efficiency or composure.  Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of job.