HR Generalist | HR Services

CBIZ; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 70,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

CBIZ in Washington DC is seeking an HR Operations professional to handle day‑to‑day HR tasks for client engagements, advise on compliance with federal and state laws, and coordinate onboarding and offboarding processes. The role includes payroll/benefits administration, benefits renewals, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities include maintaining accurate payroll data, handling tax notices with the vendor, and ensuring smooth client service across multiple states.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources or related field plus 2+ years of relevant HR/payroll experience.
• PHR or SHRM-CP certification preferred.
• Experience managing HR functions across multiple states is a plus.
• Proficient in Excel, Word and Outlook; strong written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Perform discretionary day-to-day HR operations for client engagements.
• Serve as primary contact for clients and employees on HR matters.
• Advise clients on compliance with federal/state employment laws and policies.
• Onboard new hires, conduct orientations, and process payroll/benefits paperwork.
• Offboard employees, conduct exit interviews, and process separation paperwork.
• Process client payrolls via third‑party platforms and review time/leave data (DC team only).
• Maintain payroll data, input changes, and preview payroll transmissions.
• Prepare retirement, FSA, and HSA remittances; respond to payroll questions.
• Research tax notices, coordinate with payroll vendor, ensure data accuracy.
• Coordinate state registrations (tax IDs, unemployment, workers’ comp) as needed.
• Conduct quarterly/annual payroll reviews; administer benefits enrollments and changes.
• Manage COBRA/HIPAA compliance and leave administration; reconcile invoices.
• Assist employees with benefits questions; liaison with brokers/carriers.
• Support annual benefits renewals; stay updated on HR trends and laws.

Skills

Client service

Payroll administration

HR compliance

Attention to detail

Communication

Excel proficiency

HRIS experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

PHR/SHRM-CP certification

Tools

HRIS tools

Payroll platforms

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)

Job description

• Performs independent tasks that require a high level of discretion and judgement in appropriately addressing day-to-day HR operations as required by the scope of services within the client engagement
• Serves as a point of contact for clients and client employees for a variety of HR matters
• Advises clients on compliance with applicable federal and state employment regulations and laws as well as company policies
• Onboards employees to ensure the proper completion of new hire paperwork, conducts new hire orientation, reviews client policies and procedures with new hires and processes related new hire paperwork related to payroll and benefits
• Offboards separating employees by conducting exit interviews, collecting company property, as applicable, and collecting and processing separation paperwork related to payroll and benefits
• Processes client payrolls using third-party payroll platforms: Collects and reviews time, attendance and leave information (applicable to DC team members only)
• Maintains payroll-related information and inputs into the payroll system (e.g., separations, tax exemptions, and misc. changes)
• Previews payroll changes prior to transmitting payroll
• Prepares and submits retirement, FSA and HSA remittances (as applicable) in applicable platforms
• Serves as first point of contact for employee and client with payroll related questions
• Researches and resolves tax notices in coordination with the payroll vendor
• Ensures accuracy of all payroll-related data (e.g., benefits, retirement, tax, etc.)
• Works with Engagement Manager to complete application forms for state tax withholding identification numbers, unemployment insurance identification number(s) and workers’ compensation insurance, and performs the steps necessary to register the client to do business in new states in which employees are hired; researches and resolves payroll-related tax notices received; and closes out tax withholding accounts as appropriate (applicable to DC team members only)
• Conducts quarterly and annual reviews of payroll information
• Administers benefits: Processes new hire enrollments, terminations, and changes
• Managing compliance with COBRA and HIPAA guidelines
• Managing leave administration under disability plans, state, and federal leave guidelines
• Reviews benefit invoices for accuracy and performs monthly reconciliation
• Assists employees with benefits related questions and liaises between employees and the benefits broker/ insurance carriers
• Participates with annual benefits renewal activities
• Advises clients on policies, procedures, and other HR-related matters
• Develops working knowledge of, interprets, and follows policies, procedures, and applicable employment laws that align with the workplace culture of the client
• Provides on-site support to clients as needed
• Provides support to all clients as workload dictates to ensure great client service across all clients, regardless of regular client assignments to individual team members
• Maintains knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law
• Participates in initiatives that improve the HR Services team; contributes ideas, knowledge, and applicable past experiences

Job Description

• Performs independent tasks that require a high level of discretion and judgement in appropriately addressing day-to-day HR operations as required by the scope of services within the client engagement
• Serves as a point of contact for clients and client employees for a variety of HR matters
• Advises clients on compliance with applicable federal and state employment regulations and laws as well as company policies
• Onboards employees to ensure the proper completion of new hire paperwork, conducts new hire orientation, reviews client policies and procedures with new hires and processes related new hire paperwork related to payroll and benefits
• Offboards separating employees by conducting exit interviews, collecting company property, as applicable, and collecting and processing separation paperwork related to payroll and benefits
• Processes client payrolls using third-party payroll platforms: Collects and reviews time, attendance and leave information (applicable to DC team members only)
• Maintains payroll-related information and inputs into the payroll system (e.g., separations, tax exemptions, and misc. changes)
• Previews payroll changes prior to transmitting payroll
• Prepares and submits retirement, FSA and HSA remittances (as applicable) in applicable platforms
• Serves as first point of contact for employee and client with payroll related questions
• Researches and resolves tax notices in coordination with the payroll vendor
• Ensures accuracy of all payroll-related data (e.g., benefits, retirement, tax, etc.)
• Works with Engagement Manager to complete application forms for state tax withholding identification numbers, unemployment insurance identification number(s) and workers’ compensation insurance, and performs the steps necessary to register the client to do business in new states in which employees are hired; researches and resolves payroll-related tax notices received; and closes out tax withholding accounts as appropriate (applicable to DC team members only)
• Conducts quarterly and annual reviews of payroll information
• Administers benefits: Processes new hire enrollments, terminations, and changes
• Managing compliance with COBRA and HIPAA guidelines
• Managing leave administration under disability plans, state, and federal leave guidelines
• Reviews benefit invoices for accuracy and performs monthly reconciliation
• Assists employees with benefits related questions and liaises between employees and the benefits broker/ insurance carriers
• Participates with annual benefits renewal activities
• Advises clients on policies, procedures, and other HR-related matters
• Develops working knowledge of, interprets, and follows policies, procedures, and applicable employment laws that align with the workplace culture of the client
• Provides on-site support to clients as needed
• Provides support to all clients as workload dictates to ensure great client service across all clients, regardless of regular client assignments to individual team members
• Maintains knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law
• Participates in initiatives that improve the HR Services team; contributes ideas, knowledge, and applicable past experiences

Preferred Qualifications

• Must reside in Washington D.C. Metro area
• A bachelor’s degree in human resources or other related education, and 3 - 5 years of relevant experience or any similar combination of education and experience
• PHR or SHRM-CP Certification or other human resources or payroll related certifications
• Experience managing HR functions across multiple states
• Knowledge of federal, state and local employment laws and regulations
• Excellent computer skills and proficient in Excel, Word and Outlook
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain client relationships
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative work style
• A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace
• Excels at operating in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to look at situations from several points of view
• Persuasive with details and facts
• Experience working with different HRIS; including management with the implementation of new systems

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED
• 2+ years of relevant work experience
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently
• Proficient use of applicable technology
• Demonstrated ability to communicate verbally and in writing throughout all levels of the organization, both internally and externally