HR Generalist – Employee Relations and Engagement

Lincoln University; Jefferson City (MO); On-site; USD 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO is seeking an HR Generalist specialized in employee relations and engagement. This role supports day-to-day employee relations matters, guides supervisors and staff, and helps drive a positive workplace culture.

The position also backs HR learning, orientation, compliance education, supervisor development, and engagement programs in coordination with HR leadership and university partners, with cross-training across HR functions as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• Two to three years of progressively responsible HR experience, including employee relations.
• Experience advising employees or supervisors on workplace concerns and investigations.
• Ability to deliver presentations, trainings, and employee learning activities.
• Strong knowledge of employment laws and HR compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day HR resource for employee relations under the Executive Director & CHRO, escalating high-risk matters as needed.
• Provide guidance to supervisors and employees on workplace concerns, performance, attendance, conduct and policy interpretation.
• Conduct or assist with fact-finding and investigations; prepare interview notes, case documentation and findings summaries.
• Maintain confidential employee relations files and documentation with discretion and records management practices.
• Coordinate employee engagement initiatives, surveys, events, and recognition programs to support a positive culture.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, benefits, leave administration, HRIS transactions, records and compliance as needed.

Skills

Employee relations

Investigations

Training & development

Communication

Conflict resolution

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

HRIS systems

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

HR Generalist – Employee Relations and Engagement

Human Resources Human Resources, Jefferson City, MO, US

Salary Range: $65,000.00 To $65,000.00 Annually

Job Summary:

The HR Generalist - Employee Relations and Engagement is a cross-functional Human Resources professional with primary responsibility for supporting and coordinating employee relations and employee engagement efforts across the University. Serving as a lead resource for day-to-day employee relations matters, the position provides guidance to employees and supervisors, supports workplace issue resolution, conducts or assists with fact-finding and investigations, promotes consistent application of University policies and practices, and helps identify opportunities to strengthen the employee experience and workplace culture.

The position also has a significant role in facilitating HR-related learning, orientation, compliance education, supervisor development, and employee engagement programming in coordination with HR leadership and appropriate University partners. As a fully cross-trained HR Generalist, the incumbent is expected to maintain working knowledge across Human Resources functions and provide hands-on assistance and backup support in recruitment, onboarding, benefits and leave administration, HRIS transactions, records, compliance, employee lifecycle processes, and other HR operations as departmental needs require.

Essential Job Functions, Duties, & Responsibilities:

• Serves as a lead day-to-day HR resource for employee relations matters, working under the direction of the Executive Director & Chief Human Resources Officer and escalating high-risk, complex, or legally sensitive matters as appropriate.
• Provides guidance to supervisors and employees regarding workplace concerns, performance matters, attendance, conduct, conflict resolution, corrective action processes, and interpretation of university policies and HR practices.
• Conducts or assists with prompt, objective, and well-documented fact-finding and workplace investigations; prepares interview notes, case documentation, findings summaries, and related records in accordance with established HR processes.
• Supports consistent and equitable administration of employee relations practices by reviewing documentation, identifying policy or process considerations, recommending next steps to HR leadership, and tracking matters through resolution.
• Maintains confidential employee relations files, case notes, investigation materials, corrective action records, and related documentation with appropriate discretion and records management practices.
• Identifies recurring employee relations themes and operational concerns and provides HR leadership with observations and recommendations for policy clarification, supervisor support, communication, or preventive education.
• Coordinates employee engagement initiatives that support connection, recognition, communication, retention, and a positive workplace culture, including surveys, listening opportunities, events, programs, and follow-up activities as assigned.
• Assists with gathering and reviewing employee feedback and engagement information and supports development of practical action plans in partnership with HR leadership and University stakeholders.
• Facilitates HR-related training, workshops, and informational sessions for supervisors, employees, and other campus audiences on topics within assigned expertise, such as employee relations practices, performance management, HR processes, workplace expectations, policy awareness and compliance topics.
• Develops and updates HR training materials, job aids, presentations, guides, and related resources in coordination with HR leadership and other University subject-matter owners to promote accurate, consistent information and avoid duplication of institutional training responsibilities.
• Supports scheduling, communication, documentation, attendance tracking, and evaluation of assigned HR learning activities and collaboration with appropriate University offices on broader professional development or training initiatives.
• Maintains sufficient cross-functional knowledge to perform the core work assigned to HR Generalists and provides backup or surge support across Human Resources based on service needs, staffing levels, deadlines, and departmental priorities.
• Assists with recruitment and hiring activities, including requisition and posting support, applicant and hiring manager communication, screening coordination, interview processes, selection documentation, pre-employment requirements, and onboarding.
• Supports employee onboarding and lifecycle transactions, including new-hire processing, employment documentation, HRIS data entry, position or personnel changes, transfers, status changes, separations, and offboarding activities within assigned authority.
• Assists with benefits, leave, and accommodation administration by providing routine information, collecting and routing documentation, tracking deadlines, maintaining records, and referring complex matters to the responsible HR lead or external administrator as applicable.
• Supports HR records administration, audits, reporting, data quality, compliance reviews, and preparation or maintenance of HR documents and forms.
• Responds to employee and supervisor questions, provides high-quality service, and routes matters requiring specialized expertise or approval to the appropriate HR team member or University office.
• Maintains current working knowledge of applicable employment laws, regulations, University policies, and HR practices relevant to assigned responsibilities, and participates in professional development as directed.
• Partners across the HR team to document procedures, cross-train on essential processes, improve workflows, and support continuity of HR services during vacancies, peak workload periods, or absences.
• Maintains strict confidentiality and exercises sound judgment in handling employee information, investigations, medical or leave documentation, compensation information, and other sensitive records.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned that are reasonably related to the position and the operational needs of Human Resources.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong working knowledge of employee relations principles, workplace investigations, performance management, conflict resolution, and consistent policy administration.
• Working knowledge of core Human Resources functions and the ability and willingness to cross-train and provide support outside the position's primary employee relations and engagement focus.
• Knowledge of employment laws and compliance requirements relevant to Human Resources, including principles associated with EEO, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, and other applicable federal and state requirements.
• Ability to assess sensitive workplace issues objectively, gather relevant information, document facts, identify risk, and appropriately escalatematters requiring executive, legal, civil rights, or specialized review.
• Ability to facilitate professional HR learning sessions, orientations, workshops, and presentations for groups with varying levels of knowledge and responsibility.
• Ability to develop clear training materials, job aids, communications, and practical HR resources in consultation with subject-matter owners.
• Strong interpersonal, listening, facilitation, written communication, and conflict-management skills with the ability to establish credibility across all levels of the University.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion, and manage emotionally sensitive or high conflict matters with professionalism and neutrality.
• Strong organizational, case-management, documentation, analytical, problem-solving, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and employee matters while maintaining responsive service and accurate records.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 and the ability to learn and effectively use HRIS, applicant tracking, case management, electronic workflow, survey, learning, and other enterprise systems used by the University.
• Ability to work independently while functioning as a collaborative, cross-trained member of the Human Resources team.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field required.
• At least two to three years of progressively responsible professional Human Resources experience, including substantive experience supporting employee relations matters.
• Demonstrated experience advising employees or supervisors, addressing workplace concerns, documenting employee relations matters, or supporting workplace investigations.
• Demonstrated experience delivering presentations, facilitating training, orientation, workshops, or other employee learning activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional Human Resources experience in higher education, public-sector employment, or another complex or regulated environment.
• Experience independently conducting or leading workplace investigations and preparing formal investigation or employee relations documentation.
• Experience designing or coordinating employee engagement, recognition, retention, culture, or employee listening initiatives.
• Experience supporting multiple HR functional areas such as recruitment, onboarding, benefits, leave, HRIS/data operations, compensation, records, or compliance.
• Experience developing and facilitating supervisor or employee training programs and evaluating participation or program effectiveness.

Physical Demands:

• Work is primarily performed in a professional office environment.
• The position requires regular use of a computer, keyboard, telephone, and standard office equipment and may involve prolonged periods of sitting and repetitive keyboarding.
• The role also requires the ability to communicate and facilitate presentations or training sessions for groups in person or through virtual platforms.
• The employee may occasionally be required to lift or move materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.

Lincoln University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and institutional needs. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at 573-681-5018.