Human Resource Generalist

South Dakota AG; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

11 paid holidays

Generous vacation and sick leave

Dental and vision insurance

Job summary

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration is seeking a Human Resource Generalist to support state agencies with professional HR services in a dynamic public-sector environment. You will work across employment, employee relations, compensation, and recruitment while advising managers daily.

The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree in HR or related field, have 1+ year HR experience, and may benefit from SHRM-CP certification.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• At least one year of experience in human resources preferred.
• SHRM-CP or other HR certifications a plus.
• Leadership experience a plus, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance on personnel policies and procedures to employees and management.
• Assist in development and implementation of HR policies.
• Conduct interviews and facilitate hiring of qualified applicants.
• Partner with managers to identify key skills and competencies for open positions.
• Collaborate with HR team to develop workplace strategies aligned with agency goals.
• Administer HR programs related to disciplinary actions, compensation, benefits, leave, disputes, investigations, and performance management.
• Address employment-related inquiries from applicants, employees, and supervisors; refer complex matters as needed.
• Participate in or conduct disciplinary meetings, terminations, and investigations.
• Collect, analyze, and report data to support decision-making.
• Lead or contribute to special projects and initiatives.
• Conduct background checks and verify employee eligibility.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and internal policies.
• Stay up to date on HR trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

HR policies

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field

SHRM-CP or other HR certifications

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

HRIS

Talent management systems

Job description

Job ID: 38241

Agency: Bureau of Human Resources and Administration

Location: Rapid City (preferred) or Pierre, SD

Salary: $60,000 - $71,000 Annual Salary, depending on qualifications

Pay Grade: J

Closing Date: 11/9/26

This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration. For more information on the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration, please visit https://www.sd.gov/bhra.

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact by supporting state agencies and shaping the employee experience? The South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration is seeking a Human Resource Generalist to join our team. This is a unique opportunity to provide professional-level HR services while collaborating with a variety of state agencies in a dynamic, public-sector environment.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you'll do more than manage processes—you’ll play a vital role in supporting the needs of employees, fostering a positive work environment, and helping individuals and teams thrive.

You’ll support a variety of human resource functions—including employment, employee relations, compensation, and recruitment—while serving as a trusted advisor to managers and supervisors in their daily business operations and decision‑making processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide guidance on personnel policies and procedures to employees and management.
• Assist in the development and implementation of HR policies.
• Conduct interviews and facilitate the hiring of qualified applicants.
• Partner with managers to identify key skills and competencies for open positions.
• Collaborate with the HR team to develop workplace strategies that align with agency goals.
• Administer HR programs related to disciplinary actions, compensation, benefits, leave, disputes, investigations, and performance management.
• Address employment‑related inquiries from applicants, employees, and supervisors, referring complex matters as needed.
• Participate in or conduct disciplinary meetings, terminations, and investigations.
• Collect, analyze, and report data to support decision‑making.
• Lead or contribute to special projects and initiatives.
• Conduct background checks and verify employee eligibility.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and internal policies.
• Stay up to date on HR trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies.

This is your chance to grow your career in a meaningful way and be part of a supportive and experienced HR team. If you're passionate about people and processes, we’d love to hear from you!

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (preferred);
• at least one year of experience in human resources (preferred);
• SHRM-CP or other HR certifications (a plus);
• leadership experience (a plus, but not required).

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• exceptional verbal and written communication skills;
• strong interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution abilities;
• excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;
• effective time management and the ability to meet deadlines;
• strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities;
• ability to manage complex and sensitive issues with professionalism and confidentiality;
• ability to explain policies and data clearly across all levels of the organization;
• knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices;
• proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite;
• ability to quickly learn and use HRIS and talent management systems.

This position is exempt from the Civil Service Act.

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment.

Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of a drug screening.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration

Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

"An Equal Opportunity Employer"