For most organizations, the biggest chunk of their budget goes to employee salaries and benefits. Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists ensure that positions in an organization are classified properly, and that pay and benefits are appropriate to attract new employees, all while keeping the organization’s finances in balance. These Specialists research compensation and benefits policies and plans, keeping up to date on trends in the market to ensure their programs are current, legal, and competitive. They also write reports recommending changes to company management. Some specialize in a specific area: Compensation specialists research salary trends within a comparable industry and region. They also ensure compliance with laws and regulations, such as minimum wage and equal pay. Benefits specialists administer retirement plans, leave policies, wellness programs, and insurance. They work closely with insurance brokers and benefits carriers. Job analysis specialists write job descriptions for new or changing positions, and recommend status, classification, and salary for those jobs to managers. Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists work in nearly every industry. They typically work in offices, and most work regular full time business hours. A bachelor’s degree along with related work experience, is required for most positions. Courses in business, management, finance and accounting are helpful.
What they do:
Conduct programs of compensation and benefits and job analysis for employer. May specialize in specific areas, such as position classification and pension programs.
On the job, you would:
Evaluate job positions, determining classification, exempt or non-exempt status, and salary.
Ensure company compliance with federal and state laws, including reporting requirements.
Prepare occupational classifications, job descriptions, and salary scales.
Business
human resources (HR)
management
Arts and Humanities
English language
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Safety and Government
law and government
Basic Skills
reading work related information
thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
People and Technology Systems
thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
use rules to solve problems
notice when problems happen
People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.
They do well at jobs that need:
Integrity
Attention to Detail
Analytical Thinking
Dependability
Adaptability/Flexibility
Initiative
You might use software like this on the job:
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Microsoft Dynamics
Workday software
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Human resources software
Human resource management software HRMS
Oracle E-Business Suite Human Resources Management System