Duties

• A human resources officer must address several issues involving two groups within a company or organization--employees and management. These groups are polar opposites and have needs and inquiries, which makes the human resources officer the “hub” of all information regarding topics of concern. For example, supervisors need information on topics such as annual or sick leave, discipline, wages and salary information and other items pertaining to employee relations. Employees generally want to know about benefits, personnel policies, laws concerning employment and retirement plans.
  
  

Skills

• The human resources officer is also responsible for staff orientation of new employees. The HR officer must have excellent written and oral skills and be well-versed in using computer applications software to process data and information pertaining to the position. He must stay up-to-date in the areas of compliance, government directives, employment laws and corporate policy. He must also create a line of communication with other departments for all employees to understand corporate goals and objectives while working together.
  
  

Salary

• According to PayScale.com, the average median salary for a human resources officer with 10 to 19 years experience is between $68,607 and $151,696 as of June 2010. In New York City, a human resources officer’s average salary range is between $100,000 and $225,000.
  
  

Employment Outlook

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is expected to grow by 22 percent for all human resources, training and labor relations managers and specialists occupations through 2018. There will be an increased demand for human resources officers, as corporations revise their personnel plans concerning the management of employees.
  
  

Educational Outlook

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many colleges and universities only offer degrees in human resources at the graduate level. However, a degree in administration or business administration with undergraduate courses in human resources management, training and development, organizational development and compensation and benefits are very helpful courses when seeking employment as a human resources officer.