Human Resources Specialist, Compensation and Classification

Human Resources Specialist, Compensation and Classification

Salary

$43,875.55 - $54,943.90 Annually

Location

Lakeland

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

202600217

Org

Human Resources

Opening Date

09/16/2026

Closing Date

9/29/2026 8:00 AM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

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Description

The HR Specialist, Compensation and Classification, supports the administration, maintenance, and analysis of the compensation and job classification programs. This position assists with maintaining classification systems, reviewing jobs, analyzing compensation data, developing job descriptions, and preparing clear recommendations and presentation materials.

The ideal candidate has a foundational understanding of compensation philosophies and classification principles, strong analytical and Excel skills, and the ability to organize complex information into clear, accurate, and accessible materials. This role collaborates with HR partners, managers, and other stakeholders. Position performs routine and moderately complex assignments using established policies, procedures, and analytical methods. The position is expected to exercise sound judgment, identify issues, and develop preliminary recommendations, while consulting with senior team members on significant, sensitive, or nonstandard matters.

Essential Functions/Duties

Compensation Analysis

• Compile, organize, and analyze compensation data from internal and external sources.
• Assist with salary surveys, market pricing, benchmarking, and other compensation studies.
• Review pay data to identify trends, inconsistencies, and potential areas for further evaluation.
• Support the development and maintenance of salary structures, pay grades, ranges, and related compensation tools.
• Prepare preliminary findings and recommendations based on data analysis and established compensation guidelines.
• Assist with compensation projects, including annual pay reviews, market studies, and pay program updates.
• Maintain accurate documentation supporting compensation analyses and decisions.

Classification System Administration

• Maintain job classification records, job codes, job families, career levels, exemption status, and related information in HR systems and tracking tools.
• Provide support to the establishment and classification of all College positions in HRIS systems, including but not limited to salary tables, salary groups, positions, organizational charts, and position budgets.
• Assist with classification reviews by gathering information about job duties, responsibilities, qualifications, reporting relationships, and organizational needs.
• Compare positions to established classification criteria, internal benchmarks, and relevant market data.
• Identify classification discrepancies and recommend updates for review by senior team members.
• Support the consistent application of classification standards across departments and job groups.
• Consult with departmental leaders and managers on reorganizations and other positional changes.
• Help maintain classification guides, procedures, documentation, and audit records.
• Monitor requests and workflow to ensure classification reviews are completed accurately and on schedule.

Job Description Development

• Draft and update job descriptions based on the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, competencies, and business needs of each position.
• Partner with managers and HR team members to gather and clarify job-related information.
• Evaluate job descriptions for clarity, consistency, completeness, and alignment with classification standards.
• Ensure job descriptions accurately distinguish essential responsibilities from preferred or incidental duties.
• Maintain standardized job description formats, terminology, and document libraries.
• Assist with periodic reviews to ensure job descriptions remain current and reflect organizational needs.

Data Management and Excel Reporting

• Create and maintain spreadsheets using formulas, functions, filters, sorting, data validation, and other Excel and reporting tools.
• Compile and reconcile data from multiple files, systems, or data sets.
• Use spreadsheets to support compensation comparisons, classification reviews, audits, and recurring reports.
• Review data for completeness, accuracy, consistency, and proper formatting.
• Prepare summary reports, charts, tables, and other materials that communicate findings clearly.
• Maintain organized files and documentation in accordance with record keeping and confidentiality requirements.

Communication and Presentation

• Translate compensation and classification data into clear, concise, and understandable materials.
• Prepare written summaries, reports, presentations, decision support documents, and recommendations.
• Present findings to HR colleagues, managers, and other stakeholders with support from senior team members.
• Explain analytical methods, findings, and recommendations in a professional and accessible manner.
• Respond to routine compensation and classification questions while escalating complex or sensitive matters appropriately.
• Communicate project status, data limitations, and follow-up needs in a timely manner.

Typical Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Foundational knowledge of compensation philosophies, salary structures, market pricing, internal equity, and job classification principles.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to create spreadsheets and use formulas and functions to compile, compare, and summarize data.
• Ability to create clear, accurate, and professional reports, presentations, and other communication materials.
• Basic understanding of compensation principles, including market competitiveness, internal equity, pay structures, and consistent pay administration.
• Basic understanding of job classification, job analysis, and job evaluation concepts.
• Strong numerical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to identify data discrepancies and conduct appropriate follow-up.
• Ability to interpret information and develop reasonable, evidence-based recommendations.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, priorities, and deadlines.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to explain technical or data-driven information to audiences with different levels of familiarity.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain the confidentiality of employee and compensation information.
• Ability to work independently on routine assignments and seek guidance when handling complex, sensitive, or unfamiliar matters.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with HR professionals, managers, and cross-functional partners.
• Commitment to consistent, fair, and well-documented compensation and classification practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with human resources information systems(Ellucian Banner or similar), compensation software, or job description management tools.
• Intermediate Excel skills, including experience with functions such as XLOOKUP or VLOOKUP, IF statements, SUMIF or SUMIFS, COUNTIF or COUNTIFS, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and data validation.
• Familiarity with basic wage-and-hour considerations and the importance of consistent classification practices.

Working Conditions/Additional Information

• This position is a full-time on-campus position located at our Lakeland campus and will travel between College campuses and community locations as necessary. Remote/hybrid options are not available.)
• Weekend and evening work may be required.
• Position may be required to work during College closures (such as winter/spring break, holidays, and inclement weather closures).?
• Reliable transportation is required for travel to campuses, centers, and community locations.?Possession of a valid Florida's Driver's License is required (or must be eligible to obtain a Florida's license within 30 days).
• Typical physical competencies include but are not limited to frequently remaining stationary, moving, reaching, positioning self and occasionally ascending/descending, lifting/moving objects weighing between 5-15 pounds.
• This job also entails frequently communicating, discerning, and exchanging information, detecting and perceiving objects up close, at a distance, and the ability to adjust focus. Cognitive abilities include but are not limited to frequently using discretion, judgement, reasoning, memory, learning, maintaining confidentiality, comprehension, problem solving and decision-making.
• Typical work environment, physical and cognitive demands listed above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Salary and Benefits Information

• This position is level P13.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; short-term disability; paid holidays and sick leave; vacation (excluding faculty positions); retirement benefits for eligible employees; and college fee waivers among other perks.

Required Education:?

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, finance, economics, data analytics, public administration, or a related field.

Required Experience:?

• 3 years of relevant experience supporting compensation, classification, human resources analytics, job evaluation, HR operations, or a related function.
• Experience maintaining data, records, or information within a classification, compensation, human resources, or comparable business system.
• Experience compiling and analyzing multiple data sets.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, or updating job descriptions based on job requirements.

Alternate Credential:

• Associate's degree in human resources, business administration, finance, economics, data analytics, public administration, or a related field with 5 years of experience in compensation, classification, human resources analytics, job evaluation, HR operations, or a related function.

OR

• High School Diploma (or equivalent) with 7 years of experience in compensation, classification, human resources analytics, job evaluation, HR operations, or a related function.

Preferred Education

• Relevant coursework, certification, or professional development in compensation, classification, human resources (SHRM or HRCI), or data analysis preferred.

Preferred Experience:?

• Five years of experience in compensation, job classification, HR analytics, human resources, finance, or a related analytical field.
• Experience supporting salary surveys, market analyses, job evaluations, or classification studies.
• Experience working with large data sets and reconciling information from multiple sources.
• Experience working in higher education environments.
• Experience in Banner ERP.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; short-term disability; paid holidays and sick leave; vacation (excluding faculty positions); retirement benefits for eligible employees; and college fee waivers.

To learn more details, visit our benefits page.

01

Are you over the age of 18?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you currently authorized to work in the United States for any U.S. employer?

• Yes
• No

03

Will you now or in the future require any type of employer sponsorship or immigration-related support to legally work for Polk State College? (This includes but is not limited to the following: H-1B, H-1B1, J-1, TN, E-3, O-1, F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT.)

• Yes
• No

04

Are you currently in a period of F-1 CPT or OPT or seeking employment under one of these programs?

• Yes
• No

05

Are you a United States Veteran or a qualifying family member seeking to use Veterans Preference? (Please upload your DD-214 documents to your profile/application.)

• Yes
• No

06

Are you a current employee at Polk State College?

• Yes
• No

07

Are you bilingual?

• Yes
• No

08

I am able to work 100% on campus and I do not require a remote or hybrid schedule.

• Yes
• No

09

Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?

• High School Diploma/GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Masters Degree + 18 graduate hours
• Doctorate Degree

10

How many years of experience in human resources, business administration, finance, economics, data analytics, or public administration do you have?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• 1 year but less than 2 years of experience
• 2 years but less than 3 years experience
• 3 years but less than 4 years experience
• 4 years but less than 5 years experience
• 5 years but less than 6 years experience
• 6 years but less than 7 years experience
• More than 7 years experience

11

Do you have experience maintaining data, records, or information within a classification, compensation, human resources, or comparable business system?

• Yes
• No

12

Do you have experience compiling and analyzing multiple data sets?

• Yes
• No

13

Do you have experience drafting, reviewing, or updating job descriptions based on job requirements?

• Yes
• No

14

Do you have a SHRM or HRCI certification?

• Yes
• No

15

Do you have experience supporting salary surveys, market analyses, job evaluations, or classification studies?

• Yes
• No

16

Do you have experience working with large data sets and reconciling information from multiple sources?

• Yes
• No

17

Do you have experience working in higher education environments?

• Yes
• No

18

Do you have experience in Banner ERP?

• Yes
• No

19

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during the interview. By completing this supplemental questionnaire, you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• No, I do not agree

Required Question

Employer Polk State College

Address 999 Avenue H NE

Winter Haven, Florida, 33881

Phone 863.298.6841

Website www.polk.edu