Lead Classification and Compensation Specialist

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), an agency within the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), is seeking an experienced Lead Classification and Compensation Specialist to join its Human Resources team. This position serves as a senior technical and analytical professional responsible for overseeing classification and compensation functions supporting a complex union and non-union workforce. The incumbent leads specialized projects related to position classification, pay plan development, reorganization reviews, market analysis, and policy interpretation, ensuring compliance with MTA, MDOT, and State of Maryland personnel systems.

Key Responsibilities:

Classification Analysis and Job Evaluation

• Conduct comprehensive job analyses and evaluations for new, revised, or reclassified positions.
• Review and analyze position descriptions, organizational charts, and staffing structures.
• Recommend appropriate classifications, grades, and FLSA designations in alignment with MTA and MDOT classification standards.
• Ensure consistent application of classification and compensation principles across all departments.

Compensation Administration

• Administer and interpret pay plans, salary schedules, and compensation policies.
• Review and recommend salary adjustments related to promotions, reclassifications, equity corrections, and reorganizations.
• Conduct internal and external market analyses to maintain competitive salary structures.
• Provide analytical support for collective bargaining proposals and labor cost modeling.

Leadership and Quality Assurance

• Provide lead-level direction and guidance to Classification and Compensation staff.
• Review, edit, and approve complex classification and salary recommendations prepared by other analysts.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and internal reference materials.
• Mentor staff and assist in performance monitoring and training initiatives.

Position Control and Compliance

• Collaborate with Budget, Payroll, and HRIS to maintain accurate position control records.
• Ensure compliance with State of Maryland HR laws, collective bargaining agreements, and MTA and MDOT policies.
• Conduct audits of classification and pay actions for consistency and compliance.
• Prepare technical reports and data summaries for executive leadership and MDOT oversight.

Research and Project Support

• Lead special studies and projects such as pay compression reviews, career ladders, and compensation benchmarking.
• Provide data analysis and recommendations to support workforce planning, reorganizations, and classification modernization efforts.
• Participate in HR technology upgrades impacting classification and compensation functions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.

• Two (2) years of experience providing technical or lead-level oversight of staff or projects.

• Knowledge of job analysis methodologies, salary administration, and compensation plan design.

• Experience interpreting FLSA, state HR laws, and collective bargaining agreements.

• Experience in a public-sector or unionized environment.

• Experience using HRIS systems (Infor Global HR, Workday, or PeopleSoft).

• Certification such as CCP (Certified Compensation Professional), PHR/SPHR, or SHRM-CP/SCP.

• Strong analytical, data management, report-writing, and communication skills.

• High level of accuracy, discretion, and confidentiality.

• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and manage multiple priorities effectively.

Location: Baltimore City

Education:  Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
 
Experience: Four years of professional HR work in the areas of either job analysis, job evaluation, salary administration, employee recruitment and selection, employment services and benefits, employer-employee relations, HR program evaluation, or HR policy formulation. *Three (3) years of experience performing professional classification and compensation analysis in a public-sector or unionized environment.

*Selective Qualification recruitments are utilized when the position requires specific or additional bona fide occupational qualifications (knowledge, skill, or ability). No substitution is allowed for a selective qualification.     
 
Notes:

1. Thirty graduate semester credits from a college or university in the fields of HR administration, business administration, public administration, statistics, tests and measurements, or psychology may be substituted for one year of experience.
2. Paraprofessional HR experience or professional HR management work experience may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four years of the required education.
3. For employer-employee relations positions applicants may substitute the possession of a Juris Doctor or equivalent degree from an accredited school of law for up to four years of the required experience.
4. Candidates may substitute equivalent U.S. Armed Forces military service experience on a year for year basis for up to four years of the required education.

Employees in this classification are assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

To Apply:
You must complete a Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) application (Form DTS-1) to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes may not be substituted for the application. Consideration for employment may be based solely on the contents of your application; therefore, it is essential that the application is filled out completely and accurately, listing all relevant experience in detail and addressing the specific requirements shown above. Please include all relevant experience on your application. This includes, but is not limited to, full or part time, volunteer, military, acting capacity, or any other experience that is relevant to the position you are applying for within MDOT, one of the Transportation Business Units, or the Authority.

Note: 
Applications not completely filled out will not be considered. The selected candidate may be subject to background and reference checks. Employees are subject to the State Substance Abuse Policy to include possible drug testing. It is highly recommended that applications be completed and submitted online by registering at www.mdot.maryland.gov/employment. Make sure you meet the minimum and selective qualifications and follow the instructions on MDOT's Online Employment Center website. 

Applicants with degrees granted outside of the United States will be required to provide a written evaluation of education documentation by a credentialing organization such as: International Credential Evaluation (WES), https://www.wes.org/.

Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be provided as requested.

The Maryland Department of Transportation is not sponsoring new employees in application of the H-18 Visa at this time due to budgetary constraints. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Federal regulations prohibit H1B Visa candidates from paying sponsorship fees; all sponsorship fees must be assumed by the potential employer.

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