Human Resource Management Trainee Program

Program Overview

October 2011
ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The 12-month Human Resource Management Trainee (HRMT) program provides the
opportunity to learn and prepare for a human resources career with the commonwealth.
Trainees receive extensive classroom training, gain hands-on experience in various state
agencies and have numerous opportunities to network with professionals from the HR
community.

The HRMT program is designed to maximize trainees' exposure to all aspects of the
commonwealth's human resource and equal employment opportunity systems. Each trainee
participates in four rotations, each three months in length, with different commonwealth
agencies. Trainees work on a variety of large and small projects that contribute to the
specific goals of each agency. Each month, trainees also receive formal training in various
HR subject areas.

Following successful completion of the one-year program, trainees will be promoted to

either a Human Resource Analyst 1 or an Equal Opportunity Specialist 1, and will be placed
in a full-time, permanent position with a corresponding salary increase.

ELIGIBILITY

Educational Requirements

A bachelor's degree in any major is the minimum educational requirement for applicants
into the Human Resource Management Trainee program. A civil service application and test
also must be completed. An applicant who has completed 90 or more credit hours and
expects to receive a degree by July of the hiring year may take the test. Verification of the
conferred degree must be provided prior to acceptance into the program. Contact the State
Civil Service Commission, your school placement office or the HRMT Program Director at
ra-hrmt@pa.gov for more information.

Residency Requirement

Applicants must be residents of Pennsylvania at the time of application in order to qualify

for the program. Non-Pennsylvania residents attending a Pennsylvania school that have
established a Pennsylvania mailing address meet the residency requirement. Pennsylvania
residents attending an out-of-state school are also eligible.

In addition, new rules allow some former Pennsylvania residents to compete for civil service
jobs. This opportunity is available to individuals who have completed most of their
secondary education in Pennsylvania and have lived out of the state for less than five years.
If you have questions about residency requirements, please contact ra-hrmt@pa.gov.

October 2011
THE EXPERIENCE

Orientation

The HRMT program begins July of each year. Trainees undergo a two-day orientation on
the program and Pennsylvania state government, and receive their first rotational
assignment. These opening days provide an opportunity to meet fellow trainees and
human resource professionals.

Mentoring and Supervising

Supervisors and mentors play a major role in the career development and training of
program participants, providing advice and assistance to the trainees throughout their
rotations.

The mentor guides the overall professional career development of the trainee. The
mentor also acts as teacher, counselor, motivator and confidante to support and facilitate
skill development. The mentor's role is to take a long-term view in the trainee's career
development and encourage the trainee to do the same. The mentor assists the trainee
in the understanding of the technical, administrative and interpersonal aspects
associated with successful career management; thereby helping the trainee shape
realistic and reachable career expectations.

The supervisor develops the training plan for the trainee and provides orientation to the
sponsoring agency. The supervisor is responsible for planning, coordinating and
conducting trainee developmental activities and evaluating progress. The supervisor also
assigns work to the trainee that will encourage technical competencies and career
growth. The supervisor evaluates the overall performance of the trainee and provides
input on the job assignment that the trainee will receive after the initial training year.

Rotational Assignments

Trainees typically have four rotations within the commonwealth's HR system. Every three
months, trainees move to another program area within a different agency. The rotations
are tailored to accommodate the training plan of the trainee and the needs of the
sponsoring agency and the commonwealth.

Through the rotational assignments, trainees are exposed to the many program areas
within the commonwealth's human resource management system. These rotational
assignments include comprehensive orientations to the functional responsibilities,
organizational structure and program areas of the agencies. Work-related projects are
assigned to further enhance the trainee’s knowledge and understanding of how the
commonwealth functions.

October 2011
Assignments may include experience in the following areas:

Job Classification
Job classification is a core rotation that all trainees will experience. In this
rotation, the trainee will gain an understanding of job descriptions, class
specifications, classification principles, and other key HR organizational topics. The
trainee will gain experience in interviewing and questioning techniques, report
writing, use of the job classification database and application of job classification
principles.

Labor Relations
Labor relations is another core rotation of the program that all trainees will
experience. In this rotation, the trainee will gain an understanding of investigation
and grievance procedures, discipline concepts, arbitrations and the conduct of
labor-management meetings.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

In this rotation, the trainee will learn about EEO program plans, utilization of the
workforce and job group analysis. The trainee will develop skills in EEO program
plan development, investigation and resolution techniques, design and conduct
EEO training plans and how to advise managers and supervisors regarding EEO
issues and principles of non-discrimination.

Special Projects
Some trainees may have a general rotation that includes many disciplines. The
special projects will help to develop skills in independent research, team
participation and report writing.

Employee Health and Safety

In a health and safety rotation, trainees will gain an understanding of the State
Employee Assistance Program (SEAP), which offers employees and their families
assistance with personal and financial issues. They will also learn about safety
programs in agencies; the role of unions in job safety; and commonwealth safety
codes, regulations, and standards.

Recruitment and Placement

In recruitment and placement, the trainee will learn about the application and
testing process for civil service positions, the mechanics of hiring and promoting
within the commonwealth, and the roles and responsibilities of agency
recruitment and placement sections. The trainee also will gain skills in interpreting
and applying rules, regulations, procedures and contract provisions.

Training and Development

The training and development rotation provides an understanding of training
needs assessments, performance consulting and improvement, classroom
presentation and facilitation skills, supervisory and management training and
technical training methods.

October 2011
 HR Research, Project Design and Evaluation
A rotational assignment in this area will provide the trainee with an opportunity to
be involved in the design and development of a new HR program or the evaluation
of existing programs.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING

In addition to supervisor and mentor guidance and rotational assignments, trainees also
attend formal classes provided by the Office of Administration. This training consists of
lectures by commonwealth professionals, tours of commonwealth facilities and group
learning activities. The core training focuses on traditional HR areas, including labor
relations, job classification, training and development, benefits, EEO, pay, recruitment,
research and evaluation, and safety and health. The classroom setting provides
opportunities for discussion and feedback to managers about the program itself.

Trainees may also receive formal training from their rotational agencies in order to
develop specific technical skills needed during their assignment.

October 2011