HR Generalist (Leave Specialist)

Mental Health Association - Western MA; Chicopee (MA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Family leave

Long-term disability

Job summary

Mental Health Association - Western MA is seeking an HR Generalist to administer a broad range of HR programs for all employees. Under the Director of Human Resources, you will support onboarding, background checks, leave administration, HRIS maintenance, and employee services, ensuring policy compliance.

This 100% on-site role in Chicopee, MA, runs 40 hours weekly at $22–$24 per hour. You will act as a liaison between HR and staff, help with audits, maintain HR records, and support a compliant,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Admin, or related field preferred.
• At least one year of experience in a relevant HR role preferred.
• Highly detail-oriented with accuracy in HR records, processes, and compliance tasks.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• High degree of discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate onboarding compliance activities, including background check processing, fingerprinting coordination, and verification of completed new-hire requirements.
• Serve as a point of contact for employee support inquiries, providing guidance on HR processes, policies, and required documentation.
• Maintain working knowledge of local, state, and federal employment laws and support compliance across HR operations and practices.
• Collaborate with managers to ensure fair and consistent HR practices, provide guidance on employee-related questions, and support a positive and compliant workplace environment.
• Maintain ongoing HR compliance, prepare for external audits when scheduled, and implement follow-up actions to address any findings or recommendations.
• Manage the onboarding of new hires in the payroll system and ensure HRIS records are accurate and up-to-date for all employees.
• Manage the full lifecycle of employee leaves of absence, including short-term, long-term, and intermittent leave, ensuring 100% compliance with company policy, state, and federal regulations (e.g., FMLA, ADA).
• Coordinate and administer ADA accommodations and other legally mandated accommodations to support employees’ safe and timely return to work.
• Ensure all leave requests are properly documented, tracked, and maintained in HR systems, including timely updates and accurate recordkeeping.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employees regarding leave policies, providing clear communication, guidance, and support throughout the leave process.
• Collaborate with management, HR, and medical providers to evaluate and approve leave requests in alignment with legal requirements and organizational standards.
• Monitor leave balances, deadlines, and return-to-work requirements, ensuring a seamless transition back to the workplace.
• Participate in administrative team meetings and support HR-related planning initiatives.
• Carry out special projects and assignments as directed by the Director of Human Resources or senior leadership.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Discretion and confidentiality

Organization and multitasking

HRIS ATS proficiency

Microsoft Office proficiency

Professionalism

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Tools

HRIS

Job description

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Director of Human Resources, the HR Generalist administers and supports a wide range of human resources programs and initiatives for all MHA employees. This role is responsible for providing employee support, coordinating onboarding-related compliance and employment documentation, including background check compliance, leave of absence administration, HRIS maintenance, and general employee support services. The HR Generalist serves as a key liaison between Human Resources and staff, ensuring consistent application of organizational policies and compliance with employment laws and regulations.

This position is 100% on-site, in-person in Chicopee, MA.

Schedule: Monday through Friday 9am-5pm (40hrs)

Pay Rate: $22- $24 per hour

Essential Job Functions

• Coordinate onboarding compliance activities, including but not limited to, background check processing, fingerprinting coordination, and verification of completed new-hire requirements.

• Serve as a point of contact for employee support inquiries, providing guidance on HR processes, policies, and required documentation.
• Maintain working knowledge of local, state, and federal employment laws and support compliance across HR operations and practices.
• Collaborate with managers to ensure fair and consistent HR practices, provide guidance on employee-related questions, and support a positive and compliant workplace environment.
• Maintain ongoing HR compliance, prepare for external audits when scheduled, and implement follow-up actions to address any findings or recommendations.
• Manage the onboarding of new hires in the payroll system and ensure HRIS records are accurate and up-to-date for all employees.

Leave of Absence Administration

• Manage the full lifecycle of employee leaves of absence, including short-term, long-term, and intermittent leave, ensuring 100% compliance with company policy, state, and federal regulations (e.g., FMLA, ADA).
• Coordinate and administer ADA accommodations and other legally mandated accommodations to support employees’ safe and timely return to work.
• Ensure all leave requests are properly documented, tracked, and maintained in HR systems, including timely updates and accurate recordkeeping.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employees regarding leave policies, providing clear communication, guidance, and support throughout the leave process.
• Collaborate with management, HR, and medical providers to evaluate and approve leave requests in alignment with legal requirements and organizational standards.
• Monitor leave balances, deadlines, and return-to-work requirements, ensuring a seamless transition back to the workplace.

Other Responsibilities

• Participate in administrative team meetings and support HR-related planning initiatives.
• Carry out special projects and assignments as directed by the Director of Human Resources or senior leadership.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Mental Health Association is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• At least one year of experience working in a relevant human resources role preferred.
• Highly detail-oriented, ensuring accuracy and consistency in HR records, processes, and compliance tasks.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• High degree of discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proficient with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and experience with HRIS and applicant tracking systems.
• Commitment to professionalism

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (403B, IRA)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Long Term Disability
• $22-24 an hour