Human Resources Assistant in Oakdale, Minnesota at City of Oakdale (MN)

Our Human Resources team is hiring an HR Assistant! We are looking for a self-starter who has the ability to create a positive experience for both employees and applicants, and who wants to be part of a professional and innovative team serving a great staff and community. The HR Assistant position is responsible for providing accurate and timely communication and information associated with compensation, hiring, leave, benefits, and general employment questions. This position is an early career-level human resources role, with the opportunity to grow and expand with exceptional performance and commitment to ongoing learning and development.

The Oakdale organization is supportive, hard-working, and a lot of fun. We like our work and each other and know that what we do makes a difference.

Anticipated hiring timeline

• Application review begins - July 7
• First round interviews (video) - Week of July 13
• Second round interviews (in person) - Week of July 20
• Anticipated start - July 29, 2026

Come work with us!

Note: this position is temporarily based at the new Public Works Facility at 3200 Granada Avenue North. This role will relocate with the rest of the HR team to Oakdale City Hall, when renovations are completed.
The essential functions of the position include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Work collaboratively with other staff to provide excellent and responsive public service
2. Provide initial support for staff, applicants, and the public on inquiries related to Oakdale hiring and employment
3. Assist with onboarding and offboarding employees, ensuring that the experience is thorough, timely, and professional
4. Assist with the development, tracking, and maintenance of training records and continuing education needs
5. Coordinate quarterly random CDL drug testing and reporting
6. Assist with filing First Reports of Injury, maintaining work related injury records and preparing OSHA reports. Knowledge of laws and/or policies pertaining to work related injuries or other leave programs; assist with tracking leave time and communicating to employees and payroll to ensure accurate records
7. Assist with processing payroll and deduction changes each pay period, ensuring appropriate backup documentation is provided
8. Working knowledge of personnel policies and procedures, knowledge of City’s labor contracts, and relevant state and federal regulations related to Minnesota public sector employment
9. Maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) as they are created, updated or changed; recommend updates as needs evolve
10. Familiarity with Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and how to apply the standards to personnel data and personnel files
11. Proactively suggest changes or modification to department processes or procedures to enhance their effectiveness
12. Attention to detail and ability to differentiate among various employee groups and applicable benefits or policy application
13. Working knowledge of City’s HRIS and payroll technology; ability to assist end users, update content as needed, and verify accuracy of content
14. Support the annual open enrollment process, including employee support, verification of requested changes and accurate deductions, and clear communication materials
15. Participate in employee appreciation events and activities, providing department support and expertise
16. May assist with employee committees (Benefits, Safety & Wellness, others) and content preparation, record management, and meeting facilitation
17. Able to draft and modify professional memos and letters; able to prepare internal promotional and event materials
18. Provide updates to Human Resources Director on department matters.
19. Ability to work with data and ensure accuracy
20. Strong organization and communication skills for working with staff, the public, and other stakeholders
21. Maintain prompt, predictable, and regular physical attendance
22. Ability to take direction and work well with others; ability to follow written and verbal instructions
23. Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in writing and verbally
24. Demonstrate ability to work independently and collaboratively; meet job expectations and comply with City policies and procedures
25. Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and other related software
26. Make recommendations to improve service delivery and the employee experience
27. Must be able to react to change productively and handle other tasks as assigned

COMPLEXITY
While performing the normal duties of this job, there are related steps, processes, and methods that require this position to recognize clear differences in a variety of situations.

RESPONSIBILITY


REQUIRED PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND WORK CONDITIONS
The physical demands and work conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.




Access to Public
This position may encounter not public data in the course of these duties. Any access to not public data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that are necessary to perform the duties. While data are being accessed, this position should take reasonable measures to ensure the not public data are not accessed by individuals without a work reason. Once the work reason to access the data is reasonably finished, this position must properly store the not public data.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals employed in this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and qualifications required of personnel in this job. The employer may and reserves its right to change the job description and establish, modify or eliminate job duties and responsibilities and jobs at its discretion with or without notice.
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the formal education, experience and training required.

Education

• Associate’s degree in human resources or related field

Experience

• A minimum of two (2) years’ direct experience in human resources, employee development, or employee training

The requirements listed below are representative of the formal education, experience and training preferred in order to exceptionally perform all of the functions of this position.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, public administration, or related field

Experience

• More than two years’ experience in public sector human resources

Training, Certificates, and Licenses

• Public Sector HR Association PSHRA-CP or PSHRA-SCP certification, CLRP (Certified Labor Relations Professional) Certification, SHRM-CP certification