What does a human resources technician do?
A human resources technician is primarily responsible for performing clerical support tasks in a human resources office. Their duty revolves around preparing and processing documentation, managing schedules, reviewing requirements and applications, participating in planning and executing HR projects and programs, and gathering information as necessary. They must also update and maintain a database, making sure everything is running smoothly. Should there be any issues or inquiries, it is crucial to address and resolve them right away. Furthermore, a human resources technician may participate in the hiring processes, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Human resources technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real human resources technician resumes:
- Manage KRONOS time reporting leave tracking and relate policy for a department, division or section.
- Integrate efforts on actions and programs where joint OPM functional effort are necessary to accomplish recruitment and enhance organizational effectiveness.
- Develop and implement a training module on payroll and FMLA for new managers.
- Conduct KRONOS, digital database and digital recorder training on an as need basis.
- Enter all benefit data into PeopleSoft application.
- Generate initial paperwork for FMLA and short/long term disability.
- Enter benefits data for payroll processing and generate reports using PeopleSoft application.
- Maintain HRIS database; update personal information, service obligation and assignment information.
- Prepare all recruitment actions and other personnel management actions for service personnel using various HRIS systems.
- Recognize for improving the tracking system for personnel within the organization allowing oversight and knowledge of all instructors and administrative personnel.
- Recruit and select qualified associates for exempt and non-exempt positions within consideration for AAP objectives.
- Function as site coordinator for OFCCP audit including consolidation and revision of AAP documentation.
Human resources technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Human Resources Technicians are proficient in Human Resources, Customer Service, and Data Entry. They’re also known for soft skills such as Integrity, Organizational skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Human Resources Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Human Resources, 15%
Maintain confidentiality related to human resources issues including employment decisions, selection process, criminal history records, and disciplinary issues.
- Customer Service, 12%
Performed staffing clerical duties for internal recruitment, answered telephonic inquires regarding pending personnel actions while providing quality customer service.
- Data Entry, 6%
Filed information, established files, retrieved information, maintained records and performed data entry into computer systems.
- HRIS, 6%
Prepared all recruitment actions and other personnel management actions for serviced personnel using various HRIS systems.
- Payroll System, 6%
Trained and developed documentation for payroll system.
- Personnel Actions, 6%
Provided technical personnel support in the processing and administration of official personnel actions and benefits administration for government civilians.
Most human resources technicians use their skills in "human resources," "customer service," and "data entry" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential human resources technician responsibilities here:
Integrity. The most essential soft skill for a human resources technician to carry out their responsibilities is integrity. This skill is important for the role because "information clerks, particularly human resources assistants, have access to confidential information." Additionally, a human resources technician resume shows how their duties depend on integrity: "entrusted to process confidential employee records such as salary changes, performance reviews, & terminations. "
Organizational skills. Many human resources technician duties rely on organizational skills. "information clerks must be able to retrieve files and other important information quickly and efficiently.," so a human resources technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways human resources technician responsibilities rely on organizational skills: "revised outdated pto policy and rebuilt policy from the ground up meeting all organizational standards. "
Communication skills. This is an important skill for human resources technicians to perform their duties. For an example of how human resources technician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "information clerks must be able to explain policies and procedures clearly to customers and the public." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a human resources technician: "assisted recruiters with the recruitment process and established communication with the prospective employees and managers. ".
Interpersonal skills. A big part of what human resources technicians do relies on "interpersonal skills." You can see how essential it is to human resources technician responsibilities because "information clerks who work with the public and customers must understand and communicate information effectively to establish positive relationships." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical human resources technician tasks: "provided advice and counsel to employees and managers in the areas of performance management, interpersonal conflicts and career development. "
The three companies that hire the most human resources technicians are:
- Meta55 human resources technicians jobs
- MassMutual4 human resources technicians jobs
- State of Georgia: Teachers Retirement System of Georgia4 human resources technicians jobs
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Compare different human resources technicians
Human resources technician vs. Personnel assistant
Personnel assistants are professionals who perform administrative duties while assisting the human resources director to maintain and keep the records and confidential files of employees working in an organization. These assistants must communicate with all personnel about their compensation policies while ensuring that the company policies and procedures are consistently applied. They are required to coordinate with supervisors to create job descriptions and develop recruiting advertisements. Personnel assistants must also purchase office supplies while maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of their office area.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between human resources technicians and personnel assistant. For instance, human resources technician responsibilities require skills such as "customer service," "shared services," "workers compensation," and "technical support." Whereas a personnel assistant is skilled in "office equipment," "cac," "health insurance," and "administrative functions." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Personnel assistants earn the highest salaries when working in the non profits industry, with an average yearly salary of $40,808. On the other hand, human resources technicians are paid more in the government industry with an average salary of $42,013.The education levels that personnel assistants earn slightly differ from human resources technicians. In particular, personnel assistants are 2.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a human resources technician. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Human resources technician vs. Staffing assistant
A staffing assistant performs support tasks to help offices run smoothly and efficiently. Most of their responsibilities include assisting executives with their needs, answering calls and correspondence, preparing and processing documentation, arranging meetings and appointments, organizing and disseminating files, and maintaining records and databases. They must also assist in arranging staff schedules, training new staff, and coordinating with the human resources department. Furthermore, a staffing assistant may also monitor the inventory of office supplies, processing procurement requests when necessary.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that human resources technician responsibilities requires skills like "customer service," "payroll system," "life insurance," and "background checks." But a staffing assistant might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "patients," "front desk," "criminal background checks," and "schedule interviews."
Staffing assistants may earn a lower salary than human resources technicians, but staffing assistants earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $34,582. On the other hand, human resources technicians receive higher pay in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $42,013.In general, staffing assistants achieve similar levels of education than human resources technicians. They're 4.0% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for human resources technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Sarah DeArmond Ph.D.
Management and Human Resources Department Chair, Professor of Human Resource Management, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Human resources technician vs. Recruiting assistant
A recruiting assistant is responsible for supporting the staffing needs of an organization, updating the company's job boards, and coordinating with the department managers to identify their staffing requirements and candidate qualifications. Recruiting assistants schedule the interviews and evaluations of the qualified applicants, endorsing them for final assessments with a department's hiring managers. They also assist with the processing of requirements for the hired candidates and managing their onboarding procedures. A recruiting assistant performs administrative and clerical duties as needed, especially on updating the candidate's information and doing background checks.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from human resources technician resumes include skills like "human resources," "payroll system," "personnel actions," and "life insurance," whereas a recruiting assistant is more likely to list skills in "hr," "phone screens," "interview process," and "taleo. "
Recruiting assistants earn the best pay in the government industry, where they command an average salary of $48,173. Human resources technicians earn the highest pay from the government industry, with an average salary of $42,013.Most recruiting assistants achieve a similar degree level compared to human resources technicians. For example, they're 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Human resources technician vs. Personnel clerk
Even though a few skill sets overlap between human resources technicians and personnel clerks, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a human resources technician might have more use for skills like "customer service," "data entry," "payroll system," and "personnel actions." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of personnel clerks require skills like "clerical tasks," "health insurance," "computer system," and "collating. "
In general, personnel clerks hold similar degree levels compared to human resources technicians. Personnel clerks are 3.3% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of human resources technician
Updated January 8, 2025
