HR Generalist I

University of the Cumberlands; United States; On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

University of the Cumberlands seeks a Human Resources Generalist I to provide HR support across the University. You will partner with managers on employee relations, recruitment, performance management, policy interpretation, and compliance.

The Generalist I acts as the primary contact for day-to-day HR matters, supporting a diverse workforce including faculty, staff, adjuncts, and student workers. This role enhances HR service delivery and ensures lawful employment practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• 0–2 years of HR experience required; higher education experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and experience managing employee relations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-volume environment.
• Proficiency in HRIS and Microsoft Excel; HR certification a plus.

Responsibilities

• Employee Relations & Manager Support: Serve as the initial HR contact for supervisors and employees; advise managers on performance management and documentation; assist with investigations and conflict resolution; ensure consistent application of policies and procedures.
• Recruitment & Hiring: Coordinate full-cycle recruitment for staff positions; partner with hiring managers to develop job postings; oversee applicant tracking and communications; help coordinate onboarding for new hires including adjunct faculty and staff; ensure compliance with employment laws and institutional hiring standards.
• Performance & Employment Administration: Support the annual performance review process; assist with organizational changes and workforce planning; perform exit processes and offboarding.
• Compliance & Policy: Ensure compliance with FLSA, EEO, ADA, and other employment regulations; maintain accurate personnel records; assist in policy development and updates; monitor trends and suggest process improvements.

Skills

Employee relations

Performance management

Policy interpretation

Compliance

Investigation

Conflict resolution

Onboarding

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Tools

HRIS

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Get Set for Cumberlands!

Join our team of student-focused individuals working together in order to encourage intellectual and spiritual growth, leadership and service.

The Human Resources Generalist I provides HR support to faculty and staff across the University. This role partners with managers on employee relations, recruitment, performance management, policy interpretation, and compliance. The Generalist I serves as the primary point of contact for day-to-day HR matters and supports a workforce of full-time employees, adjunct faculty, and student workers. This position plays a key role in strengthening HR service delivery and ensuring consistent, legally compliant employment practices.

Essential Responsibilities

Employee Relations & Manager Support

• Serve as the initial HR contact for supervisors and employees.
• Advise managers on performance management and documentation.
• Help with workplace investigations.
• Support conflict resolution.
• Ensure consistent application of policies and procedures.

Recruitment & Hiring

• Coordinate full-cycle recruitment for staff positions.
• Partner with hiring managers to develop job postings.
• Oversee applicant tracking and candidate communications.
• Help to coordinate onboarding for new hires, including adjunct faculty and staff.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and institutional hiring standards.

Performance & Employment Administration

• Support the annual performance review process.
• Aid with organizational changes and workforce planning.
• Perform exit processes, including documentation and offboarding.

Compliance & Policy

• Ensure compliance with FLSA, EEO, ADA, and other employment regulations.
• Maintain accurate personnel records.
• Assist in policy development and updates.
• Monitor trends and recommend process improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required.
• 0–2 years of HR experience required; higher education experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and experience managing employee relations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-volume environment.
• Proficiency in HRIS and Microsoft Excel; HR certification a plus.

Cumberlands is different by design. Our employees exemplify our motto in the pursuit of a

“life-more-abundant.”