HR Generalist

Under supervision, the HR Generalist is responsible for technical work to meet the Human Resources (HR) needs of the County. Assists and works directly with the County Administrator in the Human Resources function including administering and maintaining the County’s salary administration and benefit programs; and serves as back up to payroll. This positions serves as a liaison to Department Heads and assists in in recruitment, selection and hiring process. This position is responsible for maintaining employee data records according to Data Practices Laws and also responsible for maintaining legally compliant personnel policies and procedures. This position ensures compliance with applicable regulations, programs, and agencies such as OSHA, Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Pay Equity, ACA, FMLA, ADA, FLSA, PPACA, and Veterans’ Preference.

Benefits
• Analyzes existing benefits, policies, and recommends modifications to existing benefit programs.
• Prepares written and verbal information to inform employees of benefits programs such as medical/dental/vision/life insurance plans, PERA, deferred compensation plans, paid time off, and special employer sponsored activities.
• Facilitates the health insurance committee. Evaluates services, coverage, and options available through insurance to determine programs that best meets the needs of the County. Oversees the County’s annual open enrollment process.
• Ensures compliance with applicable regulations; serves as primary contact with brokers, agents, benefit carriers and/or vendors.
• Assists with the management of the County’s wellness initiatives and cost control strategy; assists with the Wellness Committee; and develops and recommends relevant policy and programming.
• Assists in planning and implementing annual enrollment procedures.
• Assists with the oversight of the FMLA and leave of absence process and acts as the subject matter expert.
• Serves as backup to payroll.
• Performs other duties as necessary.

Personnel Services
• Provides project and initiative support and coordination to the Human Resource Manager (handles all confidential materials, participates in special meetings, prepares presentation materials, schedules meetings, gathers research/statistical information, completes and processes surveys and requests for information.
• Provides project and initiative support and coordination on labor relations, which includes handling of confidential materials, grievances, employee investigations related to performance issues or disciplinary actions and reports and files information as needed.
• Provides general accounting functions, which includes invoicing, bill payment, collection practices for human resources.
• Assists with research, gathers, records, and maintains complex text and confidential files
(medical, drug and alcohol testing, labor relations, reclassifications, and workers compensation, grievances, OSHA pay equity reports and statistics.
• Assists the Human Resource Manager to maintain, update, and distribute policies and procedures. Establish and help maintain the review schedule and practice to keep policies updated.
• Assists with the coordination for job review classifications. Follows through on creating job descriptions and distribution of required information and maintenance of classification logs/forms.
• Provides technical, administrative, and general information in response to written and verbal inquiries to department managers, supervisors, employees, elected and appointed officials,
general public, and local, state, and federal agencies.
• Creatively prepares documents for notices, brochures, banners, etc. requiring the use of graphics.
• Organizes and manages special projects of the Human Resource Manager and staff as assigned.
• Serves as liaison to department heads in recruitment, selection and hiring process.
• Create job ads for posting in the local newspapers, websites and radio.
• Accepts and updates retirees’ insurance payments and enters them into Cash Drawer.

Performs other duties, as necessary.
While these are the primary focus of the position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be
called upon to perform a variety of duties as part of their role with the County.

Position Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Knowledge of Freeborn County administrative policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the principles of payroll, benefits, personnel and wellness.
• Knowledge of County programs, policies, procedures and labor contracts.
• Knowledge of personnel management practices and procedures.
• Skill in developing administrative procedures and record management functions.
• Skill in basic math and operating computers and relevant software.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written and interpersonal skills as applied to interactions with staff, officials, and the general public.
• Ability to lead and give direction to others.
• Ability to understand and follow complex verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate both in written and verbal communications.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships.
• Ability to facilitate training and meetings.

Education and Experience
• Requires an associate degree in in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Finance or related field and three years of experience; or a combined equal or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license upon hire.

Equipment and Tools
• Office equipment and technology
• Operate vehicle

Preferred Qualifications
Experience in labor relations and the public sector is desired. Prior accountability for functioning as a
leadership team member is preferred. A professional HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM) or equivalent
certification is preferred.

Physical and Mental Requirements
Physical activity is light with occasional sitting, walking through the facility, or carrying files up to 5 pounds
of paper. This position exists in a normal office environment, with 15-45% of time spent working with high
attention to meeting deadlines, with occasional mental effort and stress resulting in frustration. Occasional
keyboarding may put the Manager at risk for repetitive motion injury and eyestrain. There may be
intermittent exposure to hostile or aggressive behavior by employees and/or members of the public. A
County vehicle is used intermittently for travel to meetings and conferences.

The physical demands described here are representative to those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions
The Human Resources Manager works under general direction, based on broad goals and policies and generally in an office environment. The work requires application of a variety of procedures, policies, and/or precedents, and moderate analytical ability in adapting standard methods to fit facts and conditions. This is a managerial level position that handles all advanced assignments and problems as well as those requiring department policy or procedural change.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Competencies Common to All County Positions
• Develop, maintain a thorough working knowledge of, and comply with all departmental and applicable County policies and procedures.
• Demonstration by personal example the spirit of service, excellence, and integrity expected from all staff.
• Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including willing assistance to newer staff so job responsibilities can be performed with confidence as quickly as possible.
• Confer regularly with and keep immediate supervisor informed of all important matters which pertain to the applicable job functions and responsibilities.
• Represent Freeborn County in a professional manner to the public, outside contacts and constituencies.

*****Completed applications along with cover letter and resume are due by 12:00 PM Thursday, May 23rd, 2024.

Starting salary $31.51 per hour.*****