In a human resources (HR) department, a personnel administrator is in charge of matters such as employee recruitment, training, and termination. Personnel administrators are employed by government agencies and businesses of all sizes, though some organizations operate without HR personnel. Department supervisors are usually in charge of staffing issues in these situations. Major corporations frequently hire a team of personnel administrators and divide HR responsibilities among them. Normally, the administrators report to a human resources or personnel manager or director.
When a job position becomes vacant, a job requisition must be created by the personnel administrator. This document outlines basic job responsibilities and typically includes a list of academic and professional credentials that an applicant must possess to be considered for the position. To determine the salary range for each vacant position, administrators usually collaborate closely with departmental managers. Internally, open positions are frequently advertised, with the personnel administrator sending out memos or emails to all employees to inform them of the opening. If a company is unable to fill a position internally, the administrator advertises the position in newspapers, employment offices, and online.
Job applications are reviewed and interviews are scheduled by the personnel administrator. If the hiring manager wants to offer the job to a specific candidate, the administrator must negotiate terms with the applicant and conduct any background or reference checks that are required. New employee orientation is conducted by the administrator, who explains the company culture, benefits, and basic job functions to the new hires. In some cases, the personnel administrator is also in charge of onboarding new employees or scheduling training sessions.
HR personnel are usually in charge of employee disputes and disciplinary matters. Administrative personnel must ensure that departmental managers have not broken any laws by discriminating against employees or acting unethically. HR managers can arrange for employees who are underperforming to be demoted, retrained, or fired. When an employee is fired, the personnel administrator is usually in charge of canceling the employee’s benefits and disbursing the fired employee’s final paycheck. Terminated employees may file charges against the company, in which case the personnel administrator may be required to appear in court to explain the company’s actions.
Administrator jobs are available at some companies as entry-level positions for high school graduates. HR professionals are frequently required to have degrees in business, management, or personnel administration by large corporations. HR professionals with prior management experience can move into management positions. HR managers, with the exception of the HR personnel administrators they supervise, have little direct contact with company employees.