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The Personnel Services Section is one of three Sections in the DNR Office of Human Resources and is the central location for coordinating all agency personnel related issues as well as providing technical assistance and guidance regarding personnel laws and procedures.
This section is responsible for reviewing and approving all personnel actions and position descriptions, performing job analysis/class studies, approving vacancies posted to the web and determining inherent rights of employees.
In addition, our section is responsible for coordinating all benefits, including but not limited to, health/dental/vision/life insurance benefits, Workers' Compensation, disability benefits and the program for Transitional Work.
The Personnel Services Section provides the following services for the divisions/offices within ODNR. For a detailed description, click on the service name listed below. If you have questions regarding any of these services, please contact the person identified. If a specific person is not identified, any member of the Personnel Services staff can be contacted at (614) 265-6981.
Personnel Action Processing & Approval
The Personnel Section ensures accurate completion, processing and approval of all Personnel Actions (PA's) for the Department. DNR is a decentralized agency, which allows approval authority at the department level. A Department Personnel Action Procedure was developed and is maintained by Personnel Section staff, which outlines responsibilities at the division level, as well as the expectations from the Personnel Section. In addition, a Personnel Action Manual is available outlining PA codes, parameters for use and instructions for attachments (PA Attachments).
Advanced Step Appointments
The Ohio Revised Code states that new employees shall be employed at the minimum rate in the pay range established for that position. The Personnel Section administers the Advanced Step Appointment Procedure which provides conditions where an employee can be employed or promoted into an advanced step within a pay range.
Addition of Prior Service Credit
The Ohio Revised Code and bargaining unit contracts provide the opportunity for employees to receive prior service credit. The addition of this prior service credit allows employees to possibly increase earning potential of vacation leave and longevity pay and may or may not be used when calculating time used for retirement. The addition of Prior Service Credit can be initiated by a Personnel Action (See Personnel Action Manual - code C23). Unlike all other PA's, DAS approves Prior Service PA's. This is accomplished once a month, therefore, it may be some time before the service time is credited to the employee. An employee may use the Transfer of Prior Service Credit Form, with service time documented by a former employer. Organizations that employees can receive prior service from differ from bargaining unit and exempt employees. A list of the organizations that each can receive credit from can be accessed by clicking on: Prior Service Credit List.
Verification of Prior Service Credit (PERS)
Upon request of current and former employees, service time and contribution into the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) can be verified. DNR's records allow for research back to the 1950's. The requests can be made in writing to Karen Riggs, Office of Budget and Finance.
Benefits Coordination
The Personnel Section provides guidance and consultation to the Divisions in the processing of all benefits to include Healthcare, Dental/Vision, and Life Insurance. The personnel section ensures the accuracy of status changes, current payments and make-ups, and communicates to the Department of Administrative Services to resolve all payment and payroll corrections.
Disability
The Personnel Section coordinates the processing of initial applications for disability and supplemental applications. Various disability diagnosis codes are decentralized which allows processing and approval through DNR/Personnel Section. For those disability codes that are not decentralized, the Personnel Section works closely with DAS regarding the approval process.
Workers Compensation
The Personnel Section coordinates the processing of workers' compensation claims. All work related injuries must have an ADM 4303 form completed by the employee and submitted to OHR for processing. There are two (2) types of claims: Medical Only and Lost Time. Medical Only claims are for those employees who receive medical attention and return to work within seven (7) calendar days. Lost Time claims are for those employees who, not only receive medical attention, but are unable to work for eight (8) or more calendar days. The Personnel Section answers all questions related to processing and submittal of forms.
Transitional Return to Work Program
The Personnel Section coordinates the Transitional Return to Work Program. When returning from a disability or a workers' compensation injury, employees are eligible for TRW for a period of 90 days. TRW is utilized for employees who have been released by their physician of record to return to work either on a limited basis performing their regular job duties, or who are released to return to work performing only a portion of their regular job duties. The Personnel section works closely with the Unions, divisions/offices and the employee's direct supervisor during this transitional period.
Job Postings/Interviews/Prescreen Approval
The Personnel Section ensures accurate completion, processing and approval of all job postings, interviews and prescreening criteria for the Department. Department Posting and Prescreening, and Interview and Selection Procedures were developed and are maintained by Personnel Section staff, which outline responsibilities at the division level, as well as the expectations from the Personnel Section.
Certification List Coordination
The Personnel Services Section in conjunction with DAS' Certification Services Unit, processes certification lists for posted positions. Certification lists are made up of names of individuals who have successfully completed an examination in a given classification. When a posted position is not filled through Article 17 of the labor agreement, and a certification lists exists for that classification, DNR attempts to fill the position through the use of the list.
Inherent Right Determination
The Personnel Services section determines inherent right for posted positions within DNR by following guidelines set forth in Article 17 of the OCSEA/AFSCME Labor Agreement.
Position Description Processing and Approval
The Personnel Section ensures accurate completion, processing and approval of all Position Descriptions (PD's) for the Department. DNR is a decentralized agency, which allows approval authority at the department level. A Department Position Description Procedure was developed and is maintained by Personnel Section staff, which outlines responsibilities at the division level, as well as the expectations from the Personnel Section.
Classification Studies
The Director of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) has statutory authority for the development and on-going maintenance of the state's classification plan. Each year, division/offices within DNR are given opportunities to develop or revise the state's classification plan. The Personnel Services Section coordinates the class study process by following guidelines established by DAS. There are three distinct processes that must be followed in order to initiate and subsequently adopt changes to the classification plan (Exempt, OCSEA, FOP).
Policy Manual Coordination
The manual is categorized into Policies, Procedures and Directives. The Personnel Section coordinates the addition of new and revised policies/procedures/directives. An internal review process exists to accomplish the creation/additions within the policy manual. For creation/revision questions please refer to the Policy Review and Distribution Procedure within the ODNR policy manual. The Policy Coordinator can also be e-mailed with any questions: Policy.Coordinator@dnr.state.oh.us
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