Position Title: Chief Personnel Clerk
Initial Assignment: Human Resources Department
General Description: The Chief Personnel Clerk performs advanced-level confidential clerical and administrative work in support of Human Resources operations. The position requires the exercise of independent judgment, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to appropriately manage confidential information in a fast-paced environment. The position is also expected to provide guidance, training, and work direction to clerical support staff related to personnel and benefits processes and procedures.
Primary Responsibility: While the Chief Personnel Clerk may be expected to perform the full range of work activities for the title, the primary focus for the successful candidate will be on employee benefits administration, payroll-related personnel matters, compliance support, collective bargaining and contract administration support, and assisting with the development and implementation of Human Resources procedures and initiatives. Performs related duties as required.
Qualifications:
Candidates must meet minimum qualifications established by Erie County Civil Service for the title of Chief Personnel Clerk, a competitive class position.
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Bachelor’s degree at a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with coursework in Business, Human Resources, or a related field and three (3) years of office experience, including two (2) years of senior-level clerical or administrative experience in personnel, benefits, or general human resources experience; or
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Completion of 60 semester credit hours at a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with coursework in Business, Human Resources, or a related field, and five (5) years of office experience, including four (4) years of senior-level clerical or administrative experience in personnel, benefits, or general human resources experience; or
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Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and seven (7) years of office experience, including six (6) years of senior-level clerical or administrative experience in personnel, benefits, or general human resources experience.
For permanent appointment, the successful candidate must hold the civil service title of Chief Personnel Clerk and be eligible for transfer pursuant to Erie County Civil Service rules. If not already holding the title, the appointment will be provisional pending civil service examination. A provisional appointee must take the examination when offered, and be canvassed and reachable from the civil service list when issued. A noncompetitive pathway to fill this Chief Personnel Clerk position may be available through the temporary NY HELPS Program. If this option is available, the successful candidate will be advised.
Performance Responsibilities: Below is the full scope of performance responsibilities provided in the “Typical Work Activities” portion of the Erie County Civil Service position description for Chief Personnel Clerk:
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Processes or oversees the processing of benefit and/or personnel transactions within the department, such as insurance enrollment, appointments, promotions, transfers, reinstatement, leaves with and without pay, resignations, salary changes, increments and longevities, probation reports;
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Prepares and maintains departmental employee records;
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Supervises and trains lower-level staff related to personnel and/or benefit matters;
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Oversees the development and implementation of benefit communication materials, including legally required notices and informational employee presentations;
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Analyzes operating problems related to personnel or benefit issues, assembles pertinent facts, develops alternative recommendations that aids in the final decision and presents these data in oral and/or written manner;
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Works with Senior Staff in establishing and revising policies, practices and procedures related to personnel or benefit work;
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Facilitates the planning and implementation of new initiatives and systems;
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Assigns and reviews the work of subordinates for accuracy, effectiveness and correctness;
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Works cooperatively with the County Personnel Office interpreting and applying personnel and New York State Civil Service Rules;
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Acts as information clerk where general knowledge of personnel and benefit questions are needed;
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Processes Health Benefits transactions including COBRA;
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Processes Worker's Compensation claims, and initiates safety recommendations to minimize Workers Compensation claims, which may include participation on PESH committee;
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Processes reasonable accommodation and FMLA;
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May contact physician’s offices regarding medical documentation pertaining to assigned duties;
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Processes unemployment benefits claims and may represent the employer at hearings;
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Works cooperatively with other department personnel and other County Departments (including, but not limited to Labor Relations, Department of Law and Personnel Department) interpreting and applying rules and policies relating to the Health Benefits Worker’s Compensation Benefits, Unemployment Benefits, Safety and other Human Resources Programs;
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Prepares Federal and State mandated reports related to personnel and/or benefit matters at scheduled periods throughout the year;
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Prepares relevant data for collective bargaining negotiations;
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Attends collective bargaining negotiations as required; Attends meetings on HR topics as required;
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Interprets Union contract provisions related to personnel/employee relations or benefit matters and prepares reports as required;
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Supports promotion of employee wellness and EAP programs and assist in those areas as may be required;
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Coordinates retiree outreach efforts, such as obtaining contact information, or sending newsletter updates;
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May assist in RFP process for HR by recommending criteria for proposals as it pertains to responsible areas and researching vendors;
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Performs internal investigations as need may arise for employee relations matters, draft supporting documentation and make recommendations to management;
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Administers administrative/rank advancement process per Union contracts;
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Proactively updates existing employee information on an annual basis, which may include routine updates of annual policy sign-offs;
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May participate in the budgetary process and administration;
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Prepares and submits various departmental reports on a regular basis in a timely manner; Carries out special assignments.
Contract: 12-month CORE schedule (confidential, non-represented)
Salary: Starting range of $61,000 - $72,000, commensurate with experience
Start Date: As soon as practicable
Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm
Application: A complete application; three references; resume; and cover letter addressed to Mr. Jeffery Richards, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources; are required.
Application Deadline: June 09, 2026