Compensation Analyst
Cook County Government
Cook County
Sheriff
Job Code\: XXXX
Job Title\: Compensation Analyst
Salary Grade\: 20
Department\: Department of Human Resources/Department of Fiscal Administration
Bargaining Unit\: Not Applicable
Position Details\: Civilian (non-sworn) / non-merit ranked / internal & external candidates
FLSA Status: Exempt
Probation Period\: 12 months
Characteristics of the Position
General Overview
The Compensation Analyst will perform all compensation-related analyses for positions throughout the Cook County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). Manage all pay plans, evaluate compensation practices, and recommended appropriate compensation structure for CCSO. Review and create job descriptions to ensure classification compliance. Ensure salary adjustments are implemented.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
Prepare and maintain job descriptions for each position in the organization; conducts audits to ensure descriptions accurately reflect the work being performed by incumbents.
Interview and survey employees and managers to gather and document job, organizational, and occupational information including duties, responsibilities, and skills required by each job.
Assess jobs and their respective duties to determine classification as exempt or nonexempt and appropriate salary range.
Conduct compensation analyses for all requested salary increases.
Provide support for the annual compensation planning processes, including salary structure and variable compensation awards.
Prepare and submit notices of salary adjustments and/or wage increases and other compensation actions.
Benchmark jobs against survey data and other market intelligence to determine competitive compensation ranges for each position.
Prepare and maintain job classifications and salary scales.
Prepare and present summary reports of job analysis and compensation analysis information.
Gather data from market-based compensation surveys; uses spreadsheet and data analysis techniques to assess results and market trends.
Evaluate and implement job analysis instruments and materials.
Conduct data and cost analyses to be used in employee negotiations and collective bargaining agreements.
Design queries, spreadsheets, and reports detailing salaries and areas of assignment.
Update salary information in the designated HR system.
Plan and communicate preferred methods and best practices for hiring, training, compensating, and evaluating employees.
Advise management on applicable state and federal employment regulations, benefits and compensation policies, human resource procedures, and collective agreements.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
Extensive knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Extensive knowledge of human resource laws, regulations and best practices.
Knowledge and skill in the development of pay plans for government or business operations.
Skill in the use and application of various computer statistical and data management systems.
Ability to analyze complex issues and problems, often with competing priorities, from multiple perspectives.
Ability to accept responsibility, be self-governing, be proactive, and responsible for accomplishment.
Ability to interact and communicate effectively on a variety of difficult issues.
Ability to provide support and collaborate with team members and entry-level management to drive accuracy and precision in analysis.
Ability to use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines; assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and demands; establish and maintain cooperative working environments.
Capable of performing duties with minimal supervision.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in human resources, finance, or related field required.
A minimum of two (2) years of classification and compensation experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and skills to performance the responsibilities of this position. Experience must be in:
- Conducting job analyses and drafting written analysis and recommendations.
- Developing, writing and/or revising job and classification descriptions.
- Conducting salary studies and recommending salary grade placements.
Advanced Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint skills.
Preferred Qualifications
A minimum of four (4) years of classification and compensation experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and skills to performance the responsibilities of this position. Two (2) years of this experience must be in:
- Conducting job analyses and drafting written analysis and recommendations.
- Developing, writing and/or revising job and classification descriptions.
- Conducting salary studies and recommending salary grade placements.
Experience working in the public sector.
Classification and Compensation Professional Certificate (CCP)
Knowledge of government costing, budget and expenditures.
Previously completed an internship with the Cook County Sheriff's Office.
The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.
**Article EE, Civilian Recruitment and Selection Process, of the Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual (SEAM), applies to this employment process and can be found at the following link\: https\://www.cookcountysheriff.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SEAM-Article-EE-Civilian-Recruitment-and-Selection-Process-10-17-19.pdf
Please note that there are no remote job opportunities, all positions are located onsite.
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office prohibits all unlawful discrimination in its hiring and promotional process.
All Cook County Sheriff’s Office employees must apply on the internal employment page to be considered; the application may be accessed via the SheriffNet site.
*Note\: All Internal Applicants are subject to Cook County Promotional salary rules if selected.
I Certify that no Political Reasons or Factors were considered in any decision I made or action I took related to this Employment Action. Further, I do not know of or have any reason to believe that anyone else considered or took action based on Political Reasons or Factors with respect to this Employment Action.
EEO Statement
At the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, we value and embrace you. It’s our belief that diversity and inclusion is an essential component to our success as an organization. Accordingly, we are committed to provide a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office policy applies throughout the employment relationship—including recruitment, hiring, training, advancement, separation, and day-to-day practices. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office employment decisions will not be based on race, color and ancestry, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, family or parental status, disability, medical history, genetic information, or any basis prohibited by applicable law. Employment decisions will be based on an applicant’s merit and qualifications, the position requirements, and our business needs.
Benefits
Health Insurance Program – Health insurance coverage includes medical, dental and vision care and is available for an employee and his/her eligible dependents.
Holidays – Thirteen (13) Holidays are granted in each Fiscal Year
Sick Leave – Granted sick leave is earned and accrued at the rate of one (1) day for each month of service and may be accumulated up to one hundred and seventy-five (175) working days.
Vacation Leave – Granted Vacation leave is earned and accrued, with employees having the opportunity to accrue fifteen (15) days within the Fiscal Year; Vacation leave accruals increase based on an employee’s anniversary date of employment.
Life Insurance – Basic term life insurance, equal to one (1) time the employee’s annual salary, is offered to every employee at no cost and the employee may elect to purchase supplemental coverage.
Pension Plan – Employees contribute into the Cook County Pension Fund and earn a prescribed percentage for each year of service; employees may be eligible for an annual annuity after ten (10) years of service and upon reaching a certain age based on when the employee started employment.
Deferred Compensation Program – Employees may elect to enroll in a deferred compensation plan, a tax deferred plan which may be used as a supplemental retirement option.
The 2025 Cook County Employee Benefits Overview can be viewed at https\://www.cookcountyil.gov/sites/g/files/ywwepo161/files/documents/2024-10/OE25.Employee Benefits Overview_FINAL..pdf
Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace
It is the policy of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to provide a drug- and alcohol-free workplace for all members.
It is imperative that all Sheriff’s Office members are capable of devoting constant and uninterrupted attention to the performance of all assigned duties without risk to safety and security for themselves, other members, or the public. To ensure the goals of this policy are met, all Sheriff’s Office members shall be subject to drug and alcohol testing, whether mandatory, random, or based on reasonable suspicion.
We welcome you—the whole you. Your background, your culture, your ethnicity, your unique experiences, your way of looking at the world. We truly believe that your individuality helps us create a diverse, inclusive, and inspired workplace in which every ethnicity, nationality, religion, elder status, family structure and gender identity is embraced and valued. We also welcome your passion for making the lives of children, your co-workers, and our organization better. Because as different as we are, that’s the common theme that will always keep us moving forward together. *Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.* This position requires successful completion of post-offer tests, which may include a background check, drug screen and/or medical examination. Falsification of any information in the application process will result in disqualification and ineligible for appointment to, or employment in, a position in the County service for a period of five years. For current Cook County Sheriff’s employees, such falsification may result in discipline, up to and including termination, and ineligible for appointment to or employment in a position in the County service for a period of five years. See Cook County Code of Ordinances, Article II, Sections 44-54 Unlawful Practices Relating to Employees and Employment - Penalty, 44-56 Political Discrimination; Cook County Employment Plan, Section V.N. Pre-Interview License and Certification Verification; Supplemental Policy No. 2014-2.13 Ineligible for Rehire List; and Cook County Personnel Rules 3.3(b) (7) (8) (18).
THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER NOTE
As an internal candidate, should you be offered the position, salary allocations shall abide by the Cook County Personnel Rules. “The Cook County Sheriff’s Office hiring process is governed by the Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual (SEAM) which prohibits employment actions from being influenced by any Political Reasons or Factors for Non-Exempt Positions. The advertisement of this position by any individual does not constitute an offer or promise of employment, promotion, or any other employment action and shall not influence the Cook County Sheriff’s Office hiring decision. Cook County Sheriff’s officials and employees who become aware of or receive a complaint that involves an allegation of Political Reasons or Factors being considered in the hiring process of Non-Exempt positions are obligated to refer the complaint to the Cook County Compliance Officer. If the Cook County Compliance Officer sustains allegations of Political Reasons or Factors being considered, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office will disqualify the Applicant or Candidate from consideration for employment and disciplinary action will be imposed on any involved Cook County employees, if applicable.”