HR Generalist

Cultural-Affairs; New York (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) seeks an experienced HR Generalist to join Cultural Affairs Human Resources and Administration. The HR Generalist will handle confidential HR functions and support a broad range of HR activities.

You will manage recruitment, onboarding, payroll, benefits, and civil service processes using NYCAPS, PMS, PRISE, CHRMS and CityTime. The role requires discretion, strong communication, and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced public sector environment.

Qualifications

• A master's degree from an accredited college in economics, finance, accounting, business or public administration, or a Juris Doctor; or
• or a bachelor’s degree with two years of satisfactory full-time professional HR experience; or
• or an associate degree with four years of satisfactory full-time professional experience; or
• or a high school diploma plus six years of professional experience in HR-related areas.

Responsibilities

• Assist with recruitment, onboarding, classification reviews, leave and benefits administration, and training programs.
• Process payroll transactions for new hires, rehires, transfers, and current staff per city policies.
• Maintain HR reports, recruitment trackers, and HR systems data.
• Coordinate annual performance evaluation program and civil service hiring pools.
• Respond to employee inquiries and support HR-related matters with confidentiality.

Skills

HR policy knowledge

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Discretion & confidentiality

Microsoft Office

Education

Master's degree in public administration or related field

Bachelor's degree + 2 years HR experience

Tools

NYCAPS

PMS

CHRMS

PRISE

CityTime

Job description

*** IMPORTANT NOTE - Only those currently serving as a permanent Staff Analyst will be considered ***

The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is dedicated to strengthening New York City’s vibrant cultural life by providing funding and support to New York City’s cultural community, including the 39 institutions that comprise the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) and more than 1,100 non-profits cultural organizations that receive annual support. This constituency represents a diverse array of organizations - including performing arts groups, museums, theaters, zoos, botanical gardens, visual arts and film centers, community-based organizations, and arts education programs – that are central to the life of communities in every corner of New York City. DCLA also manages a significant portfolio of cultural capital projects; provides free donated materials and supplies for arts programs and arts educators through its Materials for the Arts program; provides capacity building and technical assistance support to cultural groups; and commissions works of permanent public art through the City’s Public Art Program.

Cultural Affairs Human Resources and Administration Department is responsible for the agency’s human capital administration, including recruitment, civil service list administration, employee and labor relations, employee learning and professional development, payroll, timekeeping, benefits administration, the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) program, and daily administrative support services and facilities operations. The Department also serves as a liaison with other City agencies.

The Department of Cultural Affairs seeks to hire an experienced, talented, and highly motivated individual to serve as a Human Resources (HR) Generalist. The HR Generalist will be responsible for a variety of confidential, sensitive, and time-critical administrative and human resources functions for DCLA.

The ideal candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining confidentiality and exercising sound judgment.

Typical tasks will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist with the administration of assigned human resources functions, including recruitment, onboarding, classification reviews, leave and benefits administration, and coordination of employee training and professional development programs.
• Process and implement personnel and payroll transactions for new hires, rehires, transfers from other agencies, and current employees in accordance with citywide requirements, applicable policies, and procedures, utilizing City HRIS systems, including NYCAPS, PMS, PRISE, and CHRMS.
• Manage and support recruitment activities, including posting vacancies in NYCAPS and external recruitment platforms, monitoring applicant activity, and facilitating the onboarding of selected candidates in NYCAPS.
• Assist with conducting pre-employment screening interviews, reference checks, and background investigations for prospective employees.
• Conduct new employee orientations and collaborate with hiring managers to facilitate a smooth onboarding process and support the successful transition of new employees into the workplace.
• Coordinate and administer the agency’s annual employee performance evaluation program, including monitoring completion, maintaining records, and following up with supervisors and managers as needed.
• Administer civil service hiring pools in accordance with agency staffing needs, civil service rules, and applicable citywide requirements; monitor list actions and appointments to ensure that all required personnel actions are completed accurately and within prescribed timeframes.
• Maintain and regularly update agency HR reports, recruitment trackers, and other HR tracking systems related to staffing, recruitment, retention, and personnel activities.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, spreadsheets, and other HR-related documentation, and assist with complex, confidential, and time-sensitive special projects and assignments.
• Monitor and maintain the HR portal to ensure that policies, forms, procedures, resources, and other employee-facing information remain accurate, current, and accessible.
• Liaise and collaborate with other City agencies on human resources, personnel, recruitment, and administrative matters, as needed.
• Respond to employee inquiries and concerns regarding HR policies, procedures, benefits, leave, payroll, recruitment, and other personnel-related matters, providing timely assistance and referring issues to the appropriate resource when necessary.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support and advance the work and objectives of the Human Resources and Administration Department.

Preferred Skills:

The preferred candidate will have a working knowledge of NYC Personnel Rules and Regulations, citywide policies and procedures, and Citywide human resources and personnel systems, including NYCAPS, PMS, CHRMS, PRISE, and CityTime.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to effectively manage and prioritize multiple assignments and competing deadlines while exercising patience, sound judgment, discretion, and the highest level of confidentiality when handling sensitive personnel matters. Strong attention to detail and the ability to adapt to changing priorities are essential.

The candidate must be able to work independently with minimal supervision while also contributing effectively as a member of a collaborative team. Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills are required, as is the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, managers, and internal and external stakeholders. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, is also required.

Minimum Qualifications

A master's degree from an accredited college in economics, finance, accounting, business or public administration, human resources management, management science, operations research, organizational behavior, industrial psychology, statistics, personnel administration, labor relations, psychology, sociology, human resources development, political science, urban studies or a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school; or

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of satisfactory full- time professional experience working in one or a combination of the following areas: working with the budget of a large public or private concern in budget administration, accounting, economic or financial administration, or fiscal or economic research; in management or methods analysis, operations research, organizational research or program evaluation; in personnel or public administration, recruitment, position classification, personnel relations, labor relations, employee benefits, staff development, employment program planning/administration, labor market research, economic planning, social services program planning/evaluation, or fiscal management; or in a related area.

An associate degree or completion of 60 semester credits from an accredited college and four years of satisfactory full-time professional experience as described in "2" above.

A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State’s department of education or a recognized accrediting organization and six years of satisfactory full-time professional experience as described in "2" above.

A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to “1”, “2”, “3”, or “4” above. College education may be substituted for professional experience at the rate of 30 semester credits from an accredited college for one year of experience. However, all candidates must have a high school diploma.

Special Note: To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level II, individuals must have, after meeting the minimum requirements, one additional year of professional experience as described in "2" above.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.