What Does a Human Resources Administrator Do?

Business administration is one of the most popular fields for education and employment opportunities in many areas. One essential position within any successful organization is that of human resources administrator. This position usually requires excellent organizational and administrative skills, as well as an ability to listen and relate to other interest groups and individual employees. Working as a personnel administrator may prove to be a rewarding and challenging career path for some individuals. A human resources administrator is basically responsible for being the mediator between company management and employees.

Any business that deals with multiple employees or a large public client base will typically require an individual to fill the position of human resources administrator. Even smaller businesses will commonly need at least one person experienced with coordinating employees and clients and dealing with issues related to payroll and salient legal concerns. Having someone to fill this position within a company may help to ensure the smooth daily operations of said company and will help guarantee that every individual involved with those daily operations has someone to whom they may direct questions and concerns.

Payroll organization and distribution are general duties. Each company, however, may have different duty specifics outlined for its human resource employees. While one administrator may be in charge of payroll, vacations and raises, another may be in charge of employee complaints, public relations and company-wide changes.

A human resources administrator will ideally be an individual with excellent multitasking and organizational skills. Generally, requirements will include knowledge of budgeting and payroll administration, a history of leadership roles within company departments and reliable employee supervision. Extensive and current knowledge of laws pertaining to labor laws and laws specific to their particular industry is also a great asset for most administrators. In other words, ideal candidates for the position will have equally extensive theoretical and practical knowledge of all human resources issues.

Most companies looking to fill the personnel administration position will be looking for an individual with solid training in the fields of business administration and possibly accounting and payroll. They will give preference to individuals with demonstrated leadership skills. Most colleges and universities offer courses in the above-mentioned fields, which include not only theoretical discussion, but also hands-on training within the industry. Having a degree from a reputable post-secondary institution on a résumé is often a minimum requirement when applying for a position as a human resources administrator.