HR Specialist Job Description

What is the job description of a HR Specialist? What are the duties and responsibilities of a HR Specialist? What does a HR Specialist do?

Job description of a HR Specialist

Human Resource (HR) Specialists recruit, support, train, and place employees of a company. Depending on the company’s size, a human resource department may have multiple HR specialists to perform specific tasks including overseeing performance reviews and maintaining employee records.

This HR Specialist job description example includes the list of most important HR Specialist duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific HR Specialist profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

HR Specialist Duties and Responsibilities

HR Specialist job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

  • Prepare and review compensation and benefits packages
  • Administer health and life insurance programs
  • Implement training and development plans
  • Maintain organizational charts and detailed job descriptions along with salary records
  • Forecast hiring needs and ensure recruitment process runs smoothly
  • Develop and implement HR policies throughout the organization
  • Monitor budgets by department
  • Plan quarterly and annual performance review sessions
  • Inform employees about additional benefits they’re eligible for (e.g extra vacation days)
  • Update employee records with new hire information and/or changes in employment status
  • Process employees’ queries and respond in a timely manner
  • Stay up-to-date and comply with changes in labor legislation

HR Specialist Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

HR Specialist job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

  • B.Sc/M.Sc in Human Resources or relevant field
  • Proven work experience as an HR Specialist or HR Generalist
  • Hands-on experience with Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), like BambooHR and PeopleSoft
  • Knowledge of Applicant Tracking Systems
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Good problem-solving abilities
  • Solid understanding of labor legislation and payroll process
  • Familiarity with full cycle recruiting
  • Team management skills

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal HR Specialist starts with crafting a good job description. Use this HR Specialist job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of a HR Specialist may also reference it in preparation for the interview.