Town of Greenwich Community First

            The Human Resources Department for the Town of Greenwich is dedicated to the recruitment, selection, development and retention of a diverse group of individuals capable of meeting the ever-changing needs of the community.  In order to achieve this end, the process for recruitment starts with the careful design of a job description.  The job description is the joint effort of the hiring department and Human Resources, and lists the required knowledge for the job, the skills needed to perform the job, both safely and efficiently, and any other minimum qualifications the position would require.

            After a job description has been approved, the open position is posted online using NEOGOV.  NEOGOV is an electronic applicant tracking system.  Accurate tracking of candidates is particularly important for the Town because of the rigorous testing process applicants undergo between their application and their potential hiring.  Finally, Human Resources generates an employment register, which lists candidates in order of their ranking.  This list is forwarded to the hiring authority and leads to an appointment to the vacancy.

            After hiring, Human Resources remains a presence throughout an employee’s career, as employees apply for transfers or promotions, which are tracked again by NEOGOV.  And to help employees be ready for transfers and promotions, Human Resources identifies training needs and designs programs to meet those needs.

            Another way Human Resources assists employees throughout their tenure with the Town is through its benefits administration. The Benefits Department administers health and welfare benefits for all Town and Board of Education employees, as well as administering retirement benefits for Town employees.  The department works to strategically design and deliver a competitive benefits package to employees while maintaining strict compliance with state and federal regulations.  The department staff provides one-on-one assistance to employees helping them navigate complex benefit issues while facilitating direct interaction with carriers.  Recent initiatives to this end include opportunities for employees to directly meet with Diversified, the retirement plans administrator, and the Town’s Cigna Representative.  Even as the department works to foster employee self service, it also advocates for employees, managing carrier relationships and overseeing the day-to-day administration of the plans.   

            One of the most significant ways in which Human Resources stays connected to the Town’s employees is through the Payroll division.  The Payroll Division works to provide accurate and timely pay to all employees.  Payroll personnel collect, format and audit all of the time and attendance information for the Town’s approximately three thousand employees.  Payroll is responsible for tracking and paying benefit days such as vacation, personal time, sick time and holidays, as well as, keeping track of shift differentials and overtime.  A major challenge to the department in meeting its goal is insuring that the multitude of time cards and/or time sheets from throughout the Town and Board of Education are submitted to the department in a timely manner.  As a result of the efforts of the payroll staff, all employees can count on receiving a biweekly paycheck.

            In summary, the Human Resources department is responsible for the care of employees from initial hire to retirement, and even beyond.  Glad to be there at every step for so many great people.