Human Resources Specialist SY26-27

Needham Public Schools is an inclusive dynamic and multicultural community seeking an energetic skilled and warm Human Resources Specialist to join our team. To enhance our goals of supporting students families and staff Needham Public Schools seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

About Needham Public Schools (NPS): NPS has a deep commitment to the success of our diverse students and families and to the professional accomplishments of its educators. Needham devotes itself to cultural proficiency equity and community collaboration to fulfill the vision of the Portrait of a Needham Graduate. This METCO district comprises 5 elementary schools 2 middle schools and 1 nationally-ranked high school serving approximately 5500 students. NPS is committed to addressing equity in the district by focusing on improving academic performance for historically marginalized students and ensuring our schools are safe for every child and free of bias bullying and hurtful acts that demean and diminish.

Needham Public Schools has a strong commitment to equity. Candidates who also have a strong commitment to this work are encouraged to apply. For more information on our equity work please visit our equity website.

Under the direction of the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and the Assistant Director for Human Resources the Human Resources Specialist provides support to the staff of Needham Public Schools in all areas of human capital management including recruitment and retention interpreting and relaying policies administration of licensure compliance for staff requiring a DESE license reviewing procedures and programs. This position ensures consistent interpretation and application of all Town and School personnel transactions and compliance with relevant contractual Town State and Federal laws and regulations.

Essential Functions & Duties

Onboarding & Offboarding

• Conducts onboarding and offboarding for all staff.
• Creates employee records on HR and Finance systems.
• Meets with new hires to welcome and support the onboarding process

Licensure & Compliance

• Serves as the primary contact for professional staff regarding licensure information and questions.
• Tracks and monitors licensing/re-licensing compliance for staff requiring DESE licenses monthly.
• Verifies of school-based employment to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for moving a license from initial to professional.
• Submits waiver documentation to DESE and assists staff in interpreting correspondence from the Department of Education.

Benefits & Leave Administration

• Responsible for the processing of FMLA requests using a web-based service
• Provides FMLA guidance to staff in person and virtually as needed
• Ensures that retirement enrollment forms for the Town and MTRS are completed for eligible staff and sent to the appropriate boards.
• Assists with open enrollment.

Recruitment & Staffing Support

• Acts as the district substitute coordinator
• Coordinates the hiring of substitute teachers
• Participates in job fairs.
• Screens candidates for instructional and non-instructional positions.
• Collaborates with administration to plan intentional recruiting and retention efforts such as mentor inductions and substitute orientations.

Operational & Data Management

• Ensures data is accurately entered into systems.
• Ensures and monitors staff personnel and medical files for accuracy and completeness
• Manages attendance reporting.
• Liases with supervisors and prepares reasonable letters for Unit E substitutes and miscellaneous employees.
• Supports workday obligations for hourly staff.
• Attends bi-monthly risk management committee with the Town of Needham.
• Responds to non-financial employment verification requests promptly.
• Acts as a liaison with Principals and Administrative Assistants on HR matters.
• Supports administration with federal and state compliance reporting.
• Assist with special Human Resources projects.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Education/Certification: Bachelors degree in Human Resources or a related field preferred; SHRM certification preferred.
• Experience: Previous HR experience particularly in a school department setting is strongly preferred.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in Google Suite (Docs Sheets Slides) Excel and school-based information systems such as ERP Pro - IV MUNIS PowerSchool (TalentEd Records Perform SmartFind).
• Confidentiality: Proven ability to handle sensitive data with extreme integrity and discretion.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; ability to remain professional in stressful situations.
• Organization: Strong attention to detail and the capacity to meet strict deadlines while managing multiple complex tasks.
  
  

Employment Details

Application:

Please apply online. Applications will be considered only when a cover letter resume three letters of recommendation and transcripts have been attached to your online application. All resumes will be screened; selected candidates will participate in a thorough interview process.

Timeline:

This position will be posted until May 31 2026. Selected candidates will receive information as early as June 1st. The start date for the position is July 1 2026.

Compensation and Benefits:

Please review this page to learn more about employee compensation and benefits.

Salary is determined by experience ranging from $ 83501 to $ 95474 (FY26 Rates).

FLSA: Exempt

You also may learn more about Needham Public Schools staff expectations through the Employee Resource page.

The Needham Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race color sex sexual orientation gender identity religion disability age active military/veteran status ancestry genetic information or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies employment policies and other administered programs and addition students who are homeless or of limited English-speaking ability are protected from discrimination in accessing the course of study and other opportunities available through the schools.

Required Experience:

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