The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is a political subdivision established by Chapter 1230 of the 2020 Acts of Assembly. VPRA is responsible for promoting, sustaining, and expanding the availability of passenger and commuter rail services in the Commonwealth, including all administrative and fiduciary responsibilities for Virginia's state-supported passenger rail services. The VPRA also funds Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and administers all capital expansion projects, infrastructure, and land acquisitions related to the $3.7 billion Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative, which will double Amtrak and VRE service in Virginia over the next decade. The VPRA acts as a "responsible public entity" for acquiring, constructing, improving, maintaining, or operating a "qualifying transportation facility" under the Public Private Partnership Act of 1995.
VPRA has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and multi-faceted HR professional! Do you enjoy working with people and want to expand your career? We are looking for you! The Human Resources Specialist will perform various professional duties related to human resources administration. This position will provide excellent customer service and support to the organization on HR subjects, including but not limited to talent acquisition, benefits, human resources administration, records retention, performance management, and training and development. Under the direction of the Director of Human Resources, the HR Specialist will be actively involved in human resources activities and work cross-functionally to develop and administer integrated human resources activities and programs per VPRA's policies, federal and state laws, and regulations.
Based in VPRA's office in Downtown Richmond, the Human Resources Specialist will:
Serve as the main point of contact to address employment-related inquiries from applicants, employees, and supervisors, referring complex and sensitive matters to the appropriate staff. Excellent follow-through and the ability to anticipate upcoming work needs. Oversee the recruitment process, including posting jobs, scheduling and participating in interviews, creating offer letters, coordinating background checks and drug screens, and processing applicants in the applicant tracking system. Oversee the onboarding process, including coordinating first-day details with new hire(s) and internal team members to ensure a successful transition to VPRA, facilitating new hire orientations, and processing all new hire documentation in the human resources information system (HRIS), benefits, and retirement systems. Process all HR-related transactions timely and maintain the integrity of the data housed in the HRIS. Serve as primary contact for end-users to troubleshoot issues. Maintain all personnel records (physical and online) following EEO, privacy, and related requirements. Handle highly confidential information with a high degree of professionalism and discretion. Manage the HR mailbox and respond promptly and professionally to email requests. Assist with the annual performance review process. Assist in coordinating and scheduling training activities and maintaining training records. Manage the annual performance review process. Assist in developing employee communications. Assist with random drug testing program. Help develop and streamline HR processes and maintain process documents in a repository for HR documents. Assist in the communication, interpretation, and upkeep of the employee handbook, employee directory, and organizational chart, and contribute to developing policies. Reinforce company policies to ensure compliance and manage handbook revisions and publication timely. Serve as Records Coordinator for the agency. Partner with a Records Management Analyst (Library of Virginia) to establish and maintain records management schedules and ensure all relevant departmental records are complete, accurate, and current. Gather and analyze critical HR-related metrics and recommend process or program improvements. Research and maintain knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and recent technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law. Assist in ad-hoc HR projects (employee surveys, celebrations, recognition events). Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned. Required Education: High school diploma Preferred Education :
Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience in place of a bachelor's degree. Required Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of human resources experience, including recruiting, performance management, benefits administration, training, and development. Experience with HRIS and applicant tracking systems. Customer service-minded with the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Strong attention to detail with excellent organization skills, including prioritization and time management. Knowledge of recruitment principles, methods, techniques, and resources. Knowledge of benefits principles, practices, procedures, and documentation. Knowledge of state and federal laws related to benefits, COBRA, and IRS Section 125. Ability to analyze information and draw conclusions. Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality. Thorough knowledge of federal and state employment laws, regulations, and public sector employment policies and procedures. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software. Ability to communicate with staff at all levels. Are you interested in this position, but you don't meet every single requirement? At VPRA, we are dedicated to building a talented team and an inclusive, authentic workplace. So, if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be the right candidate for this or other positions. Applicants must fully and accurately represent their qualifications and work history on the application or resume. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information in the application, resume, or other relevant documents; therefore, applicants must supply detailed information. Submitting an incomplete application/resume or an application/resume lacking in detail may impact your interview eligibility. This website will confirm receipt when the application is submitted successfully. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. VETERANS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AMERICORPS, PEACE CORPS, AND OTHER NATIONAL SERVICE ALUMNI ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. Equal Opportunity Employer
