Employee Relations & Training Assistant HR Specialist

Overview

The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (MSRPS) supports more than 397,000 members, including active employees, retirees, and vested participants across 12 retirement systems. The organization’s work helps protect the financial future of Maryland public servants.

This role is based in Baltimore’s Central Business District and offers a workplace with modern amenities such as city and harbor views, renovated shared spaces, updated elevators, and an on-site café. Employees also receive strong state benefits, including medical, dental, prescription coverage, paid leave, participation in the state pension plan, and optional retirement savings programs such as 401(k) and 457(b). Additional conveniences include an on-site fitness center with showers and lockers, 24/7 security, and quick access to restaurants, shops, transit, and major highways.

Role Purpose

The position supports employee relations and broader human resources work for the Maryland State Retirement Agency. It involves helping deliver a full range of personnel services and programs in line with State Personnel Management System laws, rules, policies, and procedures. The role reports to the Employee Relations Manager.

The selected candidate will assist with employee and labor relations, policy implementation, and regulatory compliance. The work requires the ability to research, understand, and apply Federal and State laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to HR and employee relations, or to already have working knowledge of these areas. Because the work involves sensitive personnel matters, the person in this role must maintain strict confidentiality at all times.

The position also supports investigations related to workplace bullying, misconduct, and other employee relations issues. In addition, it contributes to the design and delivery of employee relations and HR training, including the ability to present training independently to staff at all levels. Training topics may include performance reviews, the disciplinary process, and effective workplace communication.

Further responsibilities include assisting with HR operations, participating in Workday training, processing disciplinary actions and terminations in Workday, and helping with other HR transactions as assigned.

Work Location and Grade

Grade: 14

Location: 120 East Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Key Responsibilities

• Support employee relations activities for the Maryland State Retirement Agency.
• Assist with investigations involving bullying complaints, misconduct, and other workplace relations concerns, including preparing interview questions, interviewing witnesses, and drafting reports.
• Act as a witness for Step 1 appeals and grievances.
• Act as a witness in mitigation meetings and disciplinary delivery meetings.
• Support the Performance Evaluation Program (PEP) process by reviewing PEPs and PIPs for documentation needs, gathering supporting records, and potentially witnessing PEP delivery.
• Recommend training resources to staff and refer employees to appropriate learning options.
• Deliver training on employee relations topics such as workplace bullying, the disciplinary process, and the Performance Planning and Evaluation Program (PEP).
• Revise and improve existing training content to increase engagement and reflect changes in law, policy, or procedure.
• Complete and attend all required Workday training, which may take place at another location.
• Help process Workday transactions, including creating job profiles, entering disciplinary actions, and supporting leave event entries.
• Keep the file room organized, maintain accurate files, and purge records according to retention requirements.
• Advise supervisors, managers, directors, and other staff on performance management, PEP evaluations, disciplinary actions, and leave administration.
• Interpret and apply COMAR, SPP, Federal laws and regulations, and State policies.
• Work with internal partners to support compliance and stay aligned with current best practices.
• Perform additional duties as needed to support Employee Relations and the Human Resources Services Unit.

Minimum Qualifications

Five years of experience is required, including at least one year of professional HR experience in areas such as recruitment and employment services, classification and compensation, employee relations, test development and validation, job analysis, job evaluation, salary administration, HR program evaluation, or HR policy formulation, plus four additional years of professional HR management experience in recruitment and selection, classification, salary administration, employee relations, test development and validation, or generalist work.

Substitution Options

• Up to four years of the required experience may be replaced on a year-for-year basis with paraprofessional personnel work experience.
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university plus one year of professional HR experience in the relevant areas may substitute for the required experience.
• Thirty graduate credit hours from an accredited college or university in HR/personnel administration, business administration, public administration, statistics, tests and measurements, psychology, or a related field may substitute for the required experience.
• Military service experience as a commissioned officer in human resources management classification or human resources management specialty codes may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Experience

• At least one year of experience handling employee relations and workplace investigations involving bullying, misconduct, grievances, or similar matters.
• At least one year of experience advising supervisors and managers on performance management, PEP/PIP processes, disciplinary actions, and leave administration.
• At least one year of experience processing HR transactions in Workday or another HRIS, including PEPs, terminations, and disciplinary actions.
• At least one year of experience handling confidential and sensitive information.

Licenses and Certifications

• The employee must obtain certification in State Personnel Management System policies and procedures and the Statewide Personnel System functionality from the Office of Personnel Services and Benefits, Department of Budget and Management within six months of appointment, and must renew that certification every six months afterward.
• If assigned driving duties, the employee must hold a valid Maryland motor vehicle operator’s license.

Selection and Examination Process

Applicants must provide enough detail in the application to show that they meet the minimum qualifications by the closing date. Late-submitted qualification information will not be considered.

Qualified candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible list for at least one year for agency selection.

For education earned outside the United States, a foreign credential evaluation showing the U.S. equivalent education must be submitted with the application.

Because of the confidential nature of the work, selected candidates must pass a background check.

The exam process will be based on the education, training, and experience listed in the application as they relate to the role requirements. A supplemental questionnaire may also be required and may be used in the rating process, so complete and accurate information is important.

Benefits

• Low-cost health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Six personal leave days per year for new state employees, prorated by start date.
• Ten days of annual leave per year.
• Fifteen days of sick leave per year.
• At least thirteen paid holidays annually.
• Retirement pension credit through state service.
• Positions may be eligible for telework.

Application Instructions and Additional Information

Online application submission is strongly preferred. If online submission is not possible, paper applications and the supplemental questionnaire may be mailed to Maryland State Retirement and Pension Systems, Human Resources Section, 120 E. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, Attn: Shanera Johnson. Mailed applications must be postmarked by the closing date.

Questions may be directed to Shanera Johnson at smjohnson@sra.state.md.us.

Applicants should not submit unsolicited documentation.

The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may also be used for similar positions within this or other State agencies.

Maryland is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit, retain, and promote a workforce that reflects the State’s diversity. Candidates with disabilities and bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. Veterans are thanked for their service. TTY users may call via Maryland Relay.

For education completed outside the U.S., the equivalent American education verified by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided before hire.

Workplace and Organization Highlights

MSRPS operates in a purpose-driven environment with upgraded facilities and strong public-service impact. The workplace combines stable state employment, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive setting for employees who want meaningful work.