] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT → CLASSIFICATION → TRANSACTIONS ASSISTANT

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Transactions Assistant

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: Transactions Assistant CODE: 4480 SQ/OQ: Optimal Qualified
WORKING TITLE: Transactions Assistant GRADE: 16-17 MONTHS: 12
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Under general supervision, reviews, verifies and processes human resource, payroll, benefits, insurance and retirement transactions for the purpose of updating and correcting employee records, answering and responding to phone inquiries as well as walk-in traffic. Work of this class involves the ability to effectively research and analyze requests; provide guidance to employees, retirees and colleagues, and determine the appropriate course of action. Incumbents must also apply a thorough understanding of relevant MCPS policies, regulations; MCPS Pension Plan Regulations, Employee and Retiree Service Center (ERSC) and human resources procedures; negotiated contracts for SEIU, MCEA, MCBOA/MCAAP, and current federal and state laws to determine the appropriate transactions that impact employees¿ and retirees¿ records systemwide. An employee in this class must have the ability to provide excellent customer service to internal and external customers, and accurately calculate and enter data. Direction and supervision received varies and is commensurate with the current grade of the incumbent (grade 16 or 17).
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Working knowledge of ERSC, human resource, payroll, insurance and retirement policies, regulations and procedures. Operational knowledge of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), ERSC, Office of Human Resources and Development and other offices relevant to the work to effectively and efficiently resolve questions and problems from internal and external customers. Thorough knowledge of relevant MCPS policies, MCPS pension plan regulations, current federal and state laws, current negotiated agreements (SEIU, MCEA, MCBOA/MCAAP), benefit coverage for employees and retirees, pension and leave rules. Ability to perform a wide range of complex transactions, calculations and office clerical tasks quickly, accurately and efficiently. Ability to meet and adhere to set deadlines. Ability to utilize office technology effectively including Outlook, Microsoft applications, calculator, printer, scanner, fax, human resources software, customer tracking systems, document indexing software and other software/applications used by the office. Ability to research, obtain and assess relevant information and take appropriate actions to resolve complex issues, requests and discrepancies. Excellent human relations skills, oral and written communication skills and ability to engage and provide guidance to employees, retirees, colleagues and outside customers, such as vendors, federal or state agencies such as Department of Labor, Maryland State Retirement Agency, etc. Ability to handle high volume of daily telephone calls, walk-in traffic and correspondence requirements. Sensitivity to confidential employee and retiree information. Knowledge of and the ability to meet the seven core competencies of the Supporting Services Professional Growth System (SSPGS). Employees new to this role will be assigned to a grade 16. Incumbents are expected to progressively increase their level of knowledge, skill and abilities and must work successfully in one grade before moving to a higher grade. Specific guidelines for grade advancement may be obtained through the supervisor of this position.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: High School or GED diploma required. Associates degree in human resources or related field preferred. Two years of progressively more responsible human resources or related experience in payroll, garnishments, workers compensation, leave, or insurance and retirement processing work preferred. Experience working in Montgomery County Public Schools or other public human resources administration or educational institution highly desirable. Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.
CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Maryland State Retirement Cordinator Certificate for grade 17 retirement transactions assistant required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Special requirements such as lifting heavy objects and frequent climbing.) Position requires the ability to operate PC's and related office equipment for sustained periods of time.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: (Frequent overtime or night work required, etc.) Ability to work overtime as necessary, evenings and weekends. Annual leave limited during specified timeframes.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: Yes

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Duties and responsibilities may vary based on assigned role (salary and administration, benefits or retirement). The below is intended to incorporate examples of duties and is not to be considered an exhaustive list.

Grade 16 and 17
1. Responds, resolves, and accurately tracks call tickets meeting the established ERSC service-level agreement (SLA).
2. Analyzes each human resource transaction received, recognizes any inconsistencies, and communicates discrepancies to the appropriate department to ensure employees: are paid correctly; are placed in correct assignments; have the proper documentation; have the correct information in their personnel file.
3. Maintains accurate records and documentation associated with transactions processed, issues and resolutions to ensure meeting auditors requirements, which may include: employee assignments, salary placement, enrollment/changes, benefits, retirement, pension, flexible spending and other relevant functions of the office and incumbent¿s role.
4. Scans and indexes all relevant documents received in the Document Management System.
5. Analyzes transactions and makes corrections if necessary to ensure position and salary administration rules, and pay rate guidelines are being followed.
6. Provides excellent and professional oral and written customer service to employees, retirees, and families.
7. Completes calculations accurately, such as: pension calculations for maximum benefit; leave totals; compensation; shift differentials; flexible spending; Medicare.
8. Accurately applies policies, regulations, rules, state and federal laws, negotiated agreements (MCEA, SEIU, MCBOA/MCAAP), and other applicable guidelines to all transactions and inquiries/resolutions.
9. Receives and completes employee research and verification letters using current and legacy human resources system.
10. Serves as backup to call center assistants.


Grade 17
1. Runs daily/weekly/monthly Lawson Business Intelligence (LBI) reports to send confirmation to employees/retirees and to ensure employee transactions are accurately entered in the Human Resource System before processing payroll, sending health vendor files, or pension files.
2. Serves as an escalation point for more difficult transactions and unresolved issues.
3. Performs more complex transactions such as: retroactive pay adjustments, historical data research and corrections including position flips.
4. Helps mentor and train new team members on processes and procedures related to human resources, payroll, insurance and retirement policies, regulations, and guidelines.
5. Provides support and guidance to schools, timekeepers, OHRD, and other MCPS departments to ensure employee transactions are being processed in a timely and accurate manner.
6. Provide training to administrative secretaries, timekeepers, and other office personnel regarding processes, policies, regulations, rules, state and federal laws, negotiated agreements, and other applicable guidelines.
7. Presents at the timekeeper meeting, new employee orientation, retirement informational and forms session to employees, various MCPS departments, and school administration.
8. Create and maintain transaction manual or documentation on transaction processes, salary rules, etc.
9. Performs technical systems tests on upgrades, changes and process improvements for ease of use and accuracy.
10. Researchers and provides strategies to improve processes in ERSC.

Class Established: 7/92
Date(s) Revised: 6/93, 9/94, 7/03, 5/2015, 7/2022
Last Reviewed:

This description may be changed at any time.