Human Resource Generalist

NEW Cooperative Inc.; Fort Dodge (IA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

NEW Cooperative is seeking a Human Resource Generalist to provide administrative support across employee programs, benefits, compliance, and HR systems. This role works with the HR Team to respond to employee needs and maintain accurate records.

Primary responsibilities include interpreting the employee handbook, supporting compliance with regulations, and assisting with HR reporting and records management.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in HR or related field required.
• 1–3 years of related experience preferred.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to learn and use HRIS and reporting tools.
• Proficient MS Office and Excel; maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Assist with communicating and interpreting the employee handbook and HR policies.
• Support compliance with local and national regulations and applicable employment laws.
• Provide administrative support to the HR Team and respond to employee inquiries.
• Run reports in the HRIS and assist with new hires and benefit enrollment.
• Maintain accurate employee records and assist with grant programs.

Skills

HRIS

Excel

Analytical

Communication

MS Office

Confidentiality

Education

Associate degree in HR

Job description

At NEW Cooperative, we're committed to supporting agriculture, strengthening our communities, and investing in our people. As a farmer-owned cooperative, we provide meaningful career opportunities across operations, agronomy, grain, feed, energy, transportation, administration, technology, and corporate services.

Whether you're just beginning your career or bringing years of experience, you'll find a team that values safety, integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a difference every day.

Explore the position below to see how you can become part of the NEW Cooperative team.

Position Summary/Objective: The Human Resource Generalist provides administrative and operational support across employee programs, employee relations, benefits, compliance, and HR systems. This position works closely with the HR Team to respond to employee needs, maintain accurate records, coordinate assigned programs, and support consistent HR practices throughout the organization.

Basic Employment Expectations:

Safety

• Performs work safely and uses the appropriate PPE.
• Checks the work area for hazards and corrects/reports unsafe conditions.
• Considers the safety of oneself, and other employees, and customers.
• Follows all safety protocols and seeks advice from supervisor when uncertain.

Communication

• Maintains open communication and cooperates with supervisor, departments, and fellow employees.
• Communicates with supervisor and others immediately when unexpected problems cause absence, lateness, or the need to leave early.

Accountability & Professionalism

• Abides by policies set forth in the employee policy manual.
• Carries a fair share of the workload.
• Promotes NEW Cooperative through positive, friendly, and professional interactions.
• Is punctual, follows directives, and works in an efficient and timely manner; accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of the work.
• Understands that satisfactory attendance is essential to the efficient operation of the work environment.

Customer Service

• Continually works to satisfy customers to address questions/concerns through effective communication, solving problems, responding to questions, and managing their expectations.

Personal/Professional Development

• Establishes personal performance goals and works toward these goals.
• Continually upgrades and demonstrates knowledge of the job.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:Include but are not limited to the following:

Policies and Procedures

• Assists with communicating and interpreting the employee handbook and contributes to the development and revision of HR policies and procedures.
• Supports compliance with local and national regulations and applicable employment laws.

Administrative

• Monitor and direct calls through the HR line to appropriate team members.
• Provide administrative support to the HR Team.
• Become proficient in HRIS to assist employees with questions and to run requested reports including verification of employment inquiries.
• Ability to learn how to create custom reports in the HRIS system.
• Become proficient with electronic storage systems to assist team with employee files.
• Ensure compliance with Random Drug Screen Program; manage scheduling, tracking, and submitting results.
• Administration of Clearinghouse and SAP cases.
• Responsible for EAP program tracking and communication.
• Assist HR Coordinator with Grant programs.
• Assist HR Coordinator with new hires and benefit enrollment as needed.
• Assist employees with Benefit questions.

Employee Relations

• Work with HR Manager to assist employees with concerns and issues.
• Maintain detailed documentation when working on employee issues.

Self-Education & Development

• Attending education sessions & seminars addressing recruitment, benefits, employee relations.
• Seek development opportunities that expand skillsets.

Other

• Perform duties as requested by Supervisor.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Must be licensed and insurable to drive.
• An associate degree in human resources or a related field is required; one to three years of related experience is preferred.
• Strong technical skills and the ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to review data, identify issues, and develop practical solutions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, ethics, and cultural awareness.
• Advanced knowledge of HRIS and ability to learn new technical systems, when necessary.
• Ability to read and interpret documents.
• Aptitude for problem-solving and thorough knowledge of HR procedures and policies.
• Must be able to interact and effectively communicate with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Proficient Microsoft office skills. Advanced Excel skills.

Physical Demands:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is rarely required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Required visual abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position will rarely work in extreme cold/heat (non-weather) conditions or outdoor weather conditions.

Position will occasionally work near toxic or caustic chemicals.

Disclaimer: This job description indicates the general nature and minimum level of work expected. It is not designed to cover every activity, duty, or responsibility required of the employee. The employee may be asked to perform other duties related to the successful performance of the job.

NEW Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.