The HR Specialist serves as a key operational member of the Illinois Power Agency’s HR team. Under the general direction of the Human Resource Manager, this position is responsible for confidential, complex and specialized duties relating to Human Resources (HR) functions such as Payroll, Timekeeping, and Benefit Administration.
The Illinois Power Agency is an independent State Agency created in 2007 to develop annual electricity procurement plans and renewable resources procurement plans and to conduct procurement events to ensure adequate, reliable, affordable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable electric service for the default supply customers of Illinois electric utilities. The Agency also conducts procurements and administers programs that promote the development of renewable energy resources in accordance with the State Renewable Portfolio Standard. For more information about the Illinois Power Agency, please refer to: https://ipa.illinois.gov/
Duties and Responsibilities
Payroll:
Establish new employees and maintain employee records in the Agency’s HR, payroll, and benefits systems.
Prepare and submit payroll vouchers for submission to the Illinois Comptrollers for processing.
Review and correct payroll discrepancies
Coordinate and enter adjustments for promotions, transitions, retroactive pay, supplemental pay, or pay corrections
Enter optional deductions (e.g., commuter benefits, deferred comp, garnishments)
Gathers information and prepares payroll reports for internal and external stakeholders
Maintain documentation of entries, corrections, and adjustments
Conducts periodic audits of payroll records to ensure accuracy and compliance
Timekeeping:
Establish new employees and maintain existing employees in front-end and back-end timekeeping systems
Train new hires and supervisors on how to use the front-end timekeeping system
Monitor front-end timekeeping system utilized by Agency employees ensuring accurate and complete entries
Adjust time records based on leave and overtime requests that require manual entry
Ensure that all timecards are reviewed, corrected, and approved by deadline.
Monitor the back-end timekeeping system to ensure the accurate capture of all entries submitted through the front-end platform to support the proper accrual of earned benefit time and the accurate tracking of FMLA hours
Close timekeeping periods in back-end system
Generate timekeeping reports for payroll reconciliations and audits
Maintain documentation of corrections and adjustments
Benefit Administration:
Serves as the Agency’s FMLA, Workers’ Compensation, Group Insurance and Retirement Liaison
Reviews and processes applications for occupational, non-occupational, and temporary disability benefits
Reviews and processes requests for utilization of leaves of absences
Reviews all incoming forms for accuracy and completion
Serves as resource for information related to the State of Illinois employee benefits package
Other Essential Functions:
Updating the Agency’s private database with the employee records associated with recruiting, onboarding, transitioning, or terminating an employee
Assists with training program including conducting trainings, updating training materials and assisting with the creation of trainings and assessments
Work with State of Illinois’ Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Team to implement and maintain HR data and transactions in the Success Factors’ Human Capital Management system
Attends various internal and external HR meetings, seminars and trainings
Performs research and assists the HR Manager with special projects that frequently contain sensitive or confidential information
Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business or Public Administration, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience
Minimum of three (3) years of progressive experience in human resources, with a strong focus on payroll processing, timekeeping, and HR data management
Experience working with the State of Illinois’ timekeeping, payroll, group insurance, and human resources
Minimum of (3) years of experience handling leave of absence administration, FMLA coordination, or Workers’ Compensation claims
High level of discretion and professionalism in handling confidential medical and personnel information
Detail oriented with precision to accuracy
Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 (i.e., Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, as well as SharePoint, etc.)
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of management and staff
Highly engaged self-starter and strong organizational and time management skills
Preferred Qualifications
Minimum of three (3) years of recent, specific experience with the following: State of Illinois payroll processing; Statewide policies and procedures for timekeeping operations; Current Group Insurance rules and regulations; Current State Retirement rules and regulations and federal and state leave guidelines; computer systems, software, templates, or other letter/symbol guides and ability to instruct others in such equipment usage in the Human Capital Management (HCM), payroll, timekeeping, and Group Insurance systems as well as Microsoft Office applications
The Human Resource Specialist is prohibited from: (i) owning, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the voting capital stock of an electric utility, independent power producer, power marketer, or alternative retail electric supplier; (ii) being in any chain of successive ownership of 5% or more of the voting capital stock of any electric utility, independent power producer, power marketer, or alternative retail electric supplier; (iii) receiving any form of compensation, fee, payment, or other consideration from an electric utility, independent power producer, power marketer, or alternative retail electric supplier, including legal fees, consulting fees, bonuses, or other sums. These limitations do not apply to any compensation received pursuant to a defined benefit plan or other form of deferred compensation, provided that the individual has otherwise severed all ties to the utility, power producer, power marketer, or alternative retail electric supplier.
This is a merit compensation position. Position Salary Range: $80,000 – $85,000. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position is a hybrid position.
To apply, please submit a cover letter that describes your interest in and qualifications for the position, resume, and three professional references along with your online application to
Applications without a cover letter describing the applicant’s relevant experience and why the applicant would be a strong candidate for this position will not be reviewed for consideration.
No phone calls please.