Human Resources Specialist - Employment Support en City of Champaign, IL

About the Department

Are you an experienced human resources (HR) professional with a strong background in or knowledge of public sector HR? If this is you, consider applying today to be the HR Specialist – Employment Support with the City of Champaign Human Resources Department.

Responsibilities of Position

The Human Resources Specialist – Employment Support will support employees through the employment lifecycle by providing the highest level of customer service to current and separated employees in the areas of benefits administration and leave management. This includes conducting presentations, group meetings, one-on-one conferences, phone/video calls, new hire orientations, and open enrollment. The specialist will exercise independent judgment within established guidelines and make decisions consistent with departmental policies and procedures as well as make policy recommendations.

This position will leverage technologies such as Human Resources Information Systems and online resources to address problems that are unique or new. The specialist will plan and prioritize complex projects involving input and assignments from other staff to meet established deadlines. This position will also maintain important relationships with benefits and service vendors.

Required Qualifications

• Education equivalent to bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, public administration, or a related field.
• Experience administering a variety of HR programs, such as employee benefits, training, HRIS, payroll, or other core HR functions.
• An equivalent combination of work experience and training that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.
• Experience interpreting employment rules and guidelines from employee handbooks, HR policies, union contract provisions, plan documents.
• Working knowledge of laws and regulations at the local, state, and federal level.
• Experience delivering high-quality customer service.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional work experience in a public or municipal agency.
• HR certification (SHRM, PSHRA, or HRCI).
• Experience developing reports and analyses of key HR data.

Drug screening and criminal background check will be required. The annual starting salary range is $76,312 - $86,874, plus an excellent fringe benefits package. Applications must be submitted online no later than Sunday, October 5th, 2025.

Position Duties

The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environment and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Contact the Human Resources Department at (217) 403-8770 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. if you require an accommodation to complete this application or during any phase of the application, interview, or employment process.

The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: Champaign Public Library, Champaign Public Library Douglass Branch, and the Illinois WorkNet Center.

Our mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community.

These values guide our work:

Personal Integrity We act in the best interests of the City We behave in an ethical and legal manner We are open and honest We follow through on commitments We are loyal to the City

Responsibility We anticipate issues, problems, and opportunities We take initiative We act to prevent and solve problems We take responsibility for the outcome of our actions and decisions We hold ourselves and others accountable

Respect We treat others in a fair, courteous, and equitable manner We actively listen and seek understanding We provide a direct response We embrace ethnic and cultural diversity in the community and our workplace We are positive and cooperative We are willing to apologize

Teamwork We know and respect our roles and responsibilities We ask who needs to be involved and we involve others appropriately We define and agree upon the goals We collaborate to achieve organizational goals We help others accomplish their goals We share authority, responsibility, and credit

Results We take pride in our work We complete assignments and projects on time and within budget We evaluate outcomes and seek feedback on our performance We learn from our mistakes We innovate