Human Resources Assistant

As part of our total benefit package, Macomb County proudly offers medical, dental, and vision coverage, with no monthly premium to employees for single, two (2) person or family coverage. Health care, dental and vision benefits are effective the first day of employment.

To learn more about Macomb County benefits click here

CLASSIFICATION TITLE:

Human Resources Assistant

SALARY:

$50,007.10 - $64,680.01

DEPARTMENT:

Human Resources and Labor Relations

Opening Date:

09/22/2026

Closing Date:

10/06/2026 12:00 a.m.

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt - overtime pursuant to Collective Bargaining Agreement and/or Human Resources policy

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: Just cause subject to probationary period.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Under direction, performs specialized human resources functions in the area of employee and retiree benefits and pension administration. Uses current county-wide and/or department specific software to complete assignments. Conducts benefits orientation for new hires and individual benefit meetings for new retirees, providing explanation of benefit level, policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Monitors enrollment and provides assistance related to medical, dental, and vision by reviewing employee and retiree forms and recording enrollments, additions, deletions, and changes to ensure requested coverage is in effect at the appropriate time. 

Processes all FMLA, military requests, contractual and policy eligible leave of absence. Calculates eligibility and time available. Communicates verbally and in writing to employees and department heads.

Consults and advises prospective retirees about their pension and healthcare options. 

Compiles, balances, reconciles, and maintains benefit information, invoices and reports as well as processes payment requests. 

Calculates and creates a final pension report using the actuarial system and verifies the report is accurate before sending to payroll for processing. 

Monitors life insurance for employees and records beneficiary and name changes and processes death claims.

Processes pension rollover to annuity by consulting with a financial advisor to verify all information is correct. 

Performs specialized human resources duties which require a thorough understanding of human resources operations and a high degree of accuracy and independent judgment.

Compiles and maintains benefit and workers' compensation data and prepares reports from this information.

Provides support tasks related to the management of data and compliance activities in all areas of benefits.

Processes data and reports monthly to ensure accuracy and compliance with ACA guidelines. 

Researches and provides answers to employee and retiree inquiries. 

Drafts and prepares letters, memos, forms, records, reports and other related correspondence.
 

Provides support tasks related to data and technology systems management for human resources.

Promotes understanding and utilization of insurance plans and coordinates activities with service providers. 

Assists employees, retirees and others with insurance claims issues and counsels employees on effective utilization of benefit plans.

Enters data into Workers’ Compensation system to document incident reports and acts as liaison between carrier, department and employee.

Assists with new-hire orientations to explain the benefit offerings and assist new employees with their selections.

Assists with the annual open enrollment process for core and voluntary benefits.

Enters new enrollment, changes, and terminations into payroll and vendor systems.

Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

• Possession of a high school diploma or a certificate of successful completion of the General Educational Development Test, preferably supplemented with business school or college courses in human resources

• A minimum of one (1) year of human resources or benefit administration experience 

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Three (3) years of previous human resources or benefit administration experience

• Previous experience in managing and manipulating data within computer systems and related software applications 

• Previous experience with benefit vendor systems processing enrollment, changes and terminations

Required Certification or Licensure:

• Possession of a valid Michigan driver's license and an operable insured automobile for authorized travel

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

• Human resources operations, policies and procedures

• Office terminology, procedures and equipment

Ability to:

• Make complex, accurate and specialized calculations in a rapid manner

• Work effectively in stressful conditions and make responsible decisions appropriate to the scope of the position and according to established laws, policies and procedures

• Maintain sensitive information in strictest confidence

• Work independently and meet deadlines with limited supervision

• Maintain complex clerical records and prepare reports from such records

• Work in an environment which embraces the county’s Dignity Campaign

• Effectively speak, write and understand the English language

• Effectively speak, write and understand a language other than English is preferred

• Understand and carry out oral and/or written instructions

• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files

• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries

• Work independently

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS:

The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom   O=Occasionally   F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Work Environment

Office or similar indoor environment: F/C

Outdoor environment: O

Street environment (near moving traffic): N/S

Construction site: N/S

Confined space: N/S

Exposures

Individuals who are hostile or irate: O

Individuals with known violent backgrounds: N/S

Extreme cold (below 32 degrees): N/S

Extreme heat (above 100 degrees): N/S

Communicable diseases: N/S

Moving mechanical parts: N/S

Fumes or airborne particles: N/S

Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances, or waste: N/S

Loud noises (85+ decibels): N/S

Blood Borne Pathogens: N/S

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom   O=Occasionally   F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Demand:

Balancing on even or uneven surfaces/ground: N/S

Bending (forward or backward bending at the waist): N/S

Climbing up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding and platforms: N/S

Crawling (moving about on hands and knees). Inspecting in confined spaces: N/S

Digging:  N/S

Driving on sealed and unsealed roads: O

Grasping, gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands: O

Kneeling to work at low levels: N/S

Manual Dexterity (fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing): F/C

Lift/Carry/Move objects from one level/position to another up to 50 pounds: O

Push/Pull objects away from or towards the body: O

Reaching overhead (arms raised above the shoulder) or forward reaching (arms extended): O

Sitting in a seated position during the task performance: F/C

Standing in an upright position without movement: F/C

Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: F/C

Running considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: N/S

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND DISCLAIMERS

Complies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State’s Emergency Management Act and the County’s Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by those statutes.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.  Please tell us if you require accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job.  Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations. 

The AFSCME Local 411 bargaining unit represents this position.  Therefore, there may be contract language which could require consideration in the selection process.