Human Resources Generalist

Canadian-Mental-Health-Associatio; Guelph; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

HOOPP Pension

Competitive salary

Career development

Job summary

CMHA Waterloo Wellington (CMHA WW) in Guelph is seeking a Human Resources Generalist to deliver responsive HR services across the organization. Reporting to the Manager, Human Resources, this role supports talent acquisition, onboarding, employee lifecycle administration, HRIS, leave management, and engagement initiatives.

Join a nonprofit with HOOPP pension, competitive salary, and a culture of mutual respect and accountability.

Qualifications

• University degree in Human Resources required.
• CHRL designation or in progress.
• 2–3 years of progressive HR generalist experience.
• Strong knowledge of Ontario employment and labour legislation.
• Experience with HRIS and timekeeping systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide HR operations and admin support including documentation, interviews, onboarding, and HR reporting.
• Guide on leave and disability management and coordinate related processes.
• Maintain HRIS data accuracy and support payroll liaison as needed.
• Contribute to HR policy development, reporting, and improvement initiatives.
• Engage in employee engagement, wellness, and culture initiatives.

Skills

HRIS (UKG)

Payroll

Ontario Employment Law

Communication

Organization

Problem solving

Education

University degree in Human Resources

CHRL designation in progress

Tools

UKG (HRIS)

Microsoft Office

Job description

Posting closes: September 28, 2026 at 5:00pm

About Us:

The Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington (CMHA WW) provides a full care system for those with addictions, mental health or developmental needs. We serve everyone from children to adults to seniors, all under one roof. Our programs help individuals and families to lead lives filled with meaning and promise. We have 400 staff at offices in Cambridge, Waterloo, Kitchener, Guelph, Fergus, and Mount Forest.

We are fully accredited by Accreditation Canada and are proud of our Exemplary Status (the highest standing) received at our most recent accreditation exercise.

Why Join our Team:

Competitive Compensation and Benefits: Our compensation package includes a competitive salary and generous benefits supporting the wellness of our staff. We are proud to be members of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) offering one of Canada’s largest and most respected defined benefit plans.

Career Development Opportunities: Our wide range of services and supports allows for varied opportunities for career growth. Our multi-disciplinary approach to care offers cross collaboration and enhanced opportunities for learning. A formal succession planning process is key to our internal leadership recruitment.

Values that include: Mutual Respect, Accountability, Integrity and Excellence and Innovation and a culture that is welcoming and inclusive.

Commitment to Health and Safety - We have a strong health and safety culture at CMHA WW and work tirelessly to address the health and safety needs of staff and the people we serve.

The Opportunity:

We are recruiting for a HUMAN RESOURCES GENERALIST

- This is a regular full-time position to fill an existing vacancy (35 hours per week Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) based in Guelph.

The Human Resources (HR) Generalist plays a key role in delivering responsive, consistent, and people-centered HR services across the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington (CMHA WW). Reporting to the Manager, Human Resources, this position supports leaders and employees and serves as a primary point of contact for a wide range of human resources inquiries and initiatives.

Working as part of a collaborative HR team, the Generalist provides end-to-end support across talent acquisition, onboarding, employee lifecycle administration, HRIS support, leave/disability management, and employee engagement initiatives. With a strong foundation in employment legislation, collective agreement interpretation, and HR best practices, the role contributes to a positive workplace culture, operational excellence, and a supportive employee experience aligned with CMHA WW’s Mission, Vision, Values, and Code of Conduct.

Key Responsibilities:

HR Operations and Administration

• Serve as a primary point of contact for general HR inquiries, providing timely, accurate guidance related to policies, procedures, and the Collective Agreement.
• Support leaders with interpretation of employment policies, collective agreement provisions, unpaid leave processes, and other employee relations matters.
• Prepare and manage employment-related documentation, including letters of employment, contracts, status and compensation changes, benefits correspondence, forms, and HR reports.
• Provide general administrative support by coordinating and scheduling interviews, onboarding sessions, meetings, and managing competing deadlines.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and confidential employee records within the Human Resources Information System (HRIS), including ongoing uploading of staff documentation, data updates, and record retention in accordance with organizational standards.
• Liaise with payroll to support benefit enrollments, changes, and payroll processing, and provide backup payroll support as required.
• Compile and provide quarterly HR metrics and reports related to recruitment, EFAP utilization, paramedical benefits, and other requested areas to support monitoring and decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with HR policies, documentation standards, privacy, and confidentiality requirements related to personal employee information.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives by supporting HR reporting, policy development, and evaluation activities that strengthen HR service delivery across CMHA WW.

Leave & Disability Management

• Provide guidance and information to employees and leaders regarding unpaid and disability-related leaves of absence, including job-protected, educational, medical, and other statutory or organizational leave provisions.
• Coordinate and administer employee leaves and disability cases in accordance with applicable legislation, collective agreements, organizational policies, and insurer requirements.
• Act as a point of contact for employees on leave, supporting clear, respectful communication throughout the leave and return-to-work process.
• Liaise with disability insurers, payroll, benefits providers, and internal stakeholders to support timely claim management, documentation, and decision-making.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records related to leaves, accommodations, and disability cases, ensuring compliance with privacy, confidentiality, and record-retention standards.
• Track leave and disability data, prepare reports and metrics as required, and identify trends or areas for process improvement.
• Coordinate return-to-work and accommodation planning in collaboration with employees, leaders, payroll, and benefits providers, ensuring appropriate restrictions and supports are in place.

HRIS, Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Act as the HRIS (UKG) champion, supporting system administration, data accuracy, user support, training, and change management initiatives.
• Participate in HR-related projects and initiatives in collaboration with the Director, People & Culture and HR leadership.
• Contribute to policy development, reporting, and quality improvement initiatives that strengthen HR service delivery and organizational effectiveness.
• Support employee engagement, wellness, and culture initiatives by collecting metrics, analyzing trends, and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Participate actively in HR team activities, committees (including the CMHA WW Ethics Committee), and cross-functional collaboration.
• Comply with all organizational health and safety policies, including participation in mandatory training.
• Model and promote CMHA WW’s Mission, Vision, Values, and commitment to respectful, inclusive, and safe workplaces.

Qualifications:

• Completion of a university degree in Human Resources Management or a related field is required.
• Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation, or active pursuit of designation, is required.
• Two to three (2-3) years of progressive experience in a generalist human resources role, experience in a unionized healthcare or social services environment is preferred.
• Working knowledge of Ontario employment and labour legislation, including ESA, OHRC, OHSA, WSIB, and Ministry of Labour requirements.
• Strong experience using HRIS and timekeeping systems; familiarity with UKG (formerly Ultimate Software) is considered an asset.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize competing tasks and adapt effectively to shifting priorities.
• Demonstrated problem-solving, research, decision-making, and documentation skills that support accurate, timely, and well-informed HR practices.
• Effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships at all levels of the organization.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and accuracy, with the ability to manage confidential information appropriately.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Valid G Class driver’s license, access to a reliable personal vehicle, and appropriate insurance (travel to on-site meetings and events are required).
• Embodies and promotes CMHA WW’s core values of Mutual Respect, Integrity, Accountability, Excellence, and Innovation in all professional interactions and decision-making.

CLASSIFICATION AND RATE OF PAY: Level 5 (Non-Union) - $32.81 to 39.92 per hour

CMHA WW, as an equal opportunity employer, embraces diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain talented employees from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. We welcome applications from all qualified persons.

We do not use AI in our screening process.

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelor's degree or better in Human Resource Administration or related field.