LEGISLATIVE STATE PERSONNEL SPECIALIST

POSITION:   Legislative State Personnel Specialist, Personnel Review Section

GRADE:         SPC01

SUMMARY OF POSITION: The Legislative State Personnel Specialist is the entry-level position work under direct supervision of the Legislative Personnel Administrator. This classification is responsible for providing nonpartisan review, analysis, and recommendation of requests, policies, and procedures, as well as budgetary or programmatic issues related to personnel and the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act. The Legislative State Personnel Specialist is responsible for researching and preparing narrative and data-based reports, reviewing and evaluating turnover, classification, grade, and number of positions for assigned state agencies; providing technical assistance related to policy clarification, internal interpretation,; and assessing personnel related legislation, including verification of appropriation bills, amendments, and special language.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Research data as requested by members of the General Assembly and supervisors and prepare reports of findings.
• Analyze policy issues, prepare reports, and make presentations to legislative committees.
• Compile personnel reports, including the review and analysis of classifications, grades, turnover, number of positions, and policy issues.
• Draft, proof, and track personnel-related appropriation bills, amendments, and special language.
• Provide staff support, including research and presentations, to the Uniform Personnel Classification and Compensation Plan Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council, the Joint Budget Committee and its subcommittees, and the Arkansas Legislative Council/Joint Budget Committee.
• Be available to members of the General Assembly, state agency staff, and Bureau staff to provide information and assistance regarding policy research issues.
• Develop and maintain knowledge in assigned subject matter areas, including monitoring national policies, policy trends in other states, news items, and emerging developments.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• May serve as a Joint Budget Committee bill clerk during legislative sessions.
• Occasional out-of-state travel to seminars or conferences.
• Perform other related responsibilities as required or assigned by the Legislative Personnel Administrator, the Deputy Director for Fiscal Services, and the Director of the Bureau.
• Travel as needed to in-state and out-of-state legislative committee meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, human resources management, public administration or a related field from an accredited college or university
• Good interpersonal and organizational skills with the ability to navigate complex state Personnel processes.
• Basic understanding of budget and personnel related terminology and practices.
• Basic understanding of the legislative process and the functions of state and federal agencies.
• Ability to conduct objective research and data analysis.
• Knowledge and basic proficiency in Windows Applications, such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to learn to extract and compile information from various sources including the statewide accounting system.
• Ability to express the results of research and data analysis in concise written and verbal form.
• Ability to present reports, requests, and recommendations in public committee meetings.
• Ability to develop and maintain a good working relationship with state agency contacts, legislative staff and Bureau peers to provide cohesive data, reports, and legislation for the General Assembly.
• Knowledge of the laws and procedures related to the General Assembly.
• Ability to communicate with Bureau staff, state agency staff, members of the General Assembly, and members of the public. 
• Seek to understand and ensure compliance and consistency of classifications and paygrades across state government. 

PRODUCTION STANDARDS:

• Provides accurate and clear policy research and analysis.
• Adept in communicating with Bureau staff, members of the General Assembly, state agency personnel, and members of the public, both verbally and in writing.

• Developing proficient time management skills, including the ability to complete work under strict time deadlines.
• Attention to detail to ensure accuracy and consistency within personnel matters across various state agencies.

• Maintains high standard of professional ethics and exercises appropriate discretion with confidential matters.
• Effectively organizes and monitors the status of projects and workflow.
• Works cooperatively at problem solving and assist co-workers with a variety of tasks.