Human Resources Coordinator

Union County, NC; Monroe (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Union County is seeking an experienced HR professional to join our team as an HR Coordinator. This role focuses on supporting the Water department (~200 employees) while providing comprehensive HR generalist services across centralized functions.

The successful candidate will manage day-to-day HR operations, recruitment, onboarding, policy interpretation, and employee relations with discretion and confidentiality. January 2027 start date.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business or related field.
• Three (3) years of increasing responsibility in HR program administration.
• Valid North Carolina Driver's License required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day HR operations for assigned department.
• Recruitment, selection, promotions, transfers and separations.
• Benefit clarification and FMLA administration.
• Policy interpretation and personnel records management.
• Provide guidance on employee relations and investigations as needed.
• Assist with onboarding and orientation of new employees.
• Analyze HR metrics (time to hire, turnover) and generate reports.
• Support Water department HR needs and central HR functions.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in HR/Business

PHR/SHRM-CP (preferred)

Job description

The Union County Human Resources department is seeking an experienced HR professional to join our team. This role is ideal for a candidate with a solid HR generalist background who understands the importance of strong HR practices, takes ownership of responsibilities, and can confidently navigate competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. The HR Coordinator will serve as a trusted resource, applying sound HR knowledge and judgment to support day-to-day operations, employee relations, compliance, and organizational needs. The successful candidate is proactive, dependable, and comfortable taking initiative while maintaining a high standard of professionalism, confidentiality, and follow-through. This position reports to the HR department and will have a concentration in supporting the Union County Water department (approximately 200 employees) while also supporting centralized HR functions.

The target start date for this position is January 2027.

The Human Resources Coordinator, under administrative direction, is directly responsible for the overall administration, and coordination, of Human Resources functions within an assigned department. Duties include, but are not limited to, the coordination of day-to-day human resources operations; recruitment, selection, promotions, transfers, separations, benefit clarification, FMLA administration; overseeing of administrative policies, procedures, and processes including policy interpretation; and ensuring proper administration of personnel programs and personnel records management. Employee must exercise initiative, diplomacy and independent judgment in ensuring proper administration of personnel programs and tasks. Employee must exercise tact, courtesy, and responsiveness in frequent contact with internal and external customers.

• Coordinates the creation and maintenance of all departmental employee personnel records and Personnel Action Forms.
• Maintains and updates departmental employee desk files if applicable to document personnel actions.
• Creates and reviews position requisitions for completeness and accuracy, verifies position vacancies and salaries.
• Assists in developing supplemental questions and other pre-employment requirements, including communicating with candidates as necessary.
• Assists in the orientation and onboarding of new employees.
• Interprets and explains personnel policies and procedures to supervisors and employees and assists in solving problems that may arise in the administration of personnel actions.
• Responds to employees' policy and procedure inquiries.
• Examines employee files to answer inquiries and provides information to authorized persons.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of policies /regulations and follows the proper procedures.
• Uses sound judgment to interpret regulations and enforce equitably.
• Assists with analyzing applicant's training and experience, determining level of qualifications for jobs and review of qualified applicants.
• Coordinates FMLA and departmental queries regarding FMLA, to include maintaining employee FMLA status and eligibility with central Human Resources.
• Confers with leadership and central Human Resources regarding classification and compensation requests; obtains required approvals; advises on recommendations and coordinates the implementation of approved requests, as appropriate.
• Works with employees and leaders to resolve employee relations issues, implement progressive discipline, and may conduct investigations into disciplinary matters, write reports regarding the investigations and make recommendations in consultation with central Human Resources.
• Assists leaders in writing/updating job descriptions to accurately describe job content.
• Assists with career fairs, or other central Human Resources coordinated events as requested.
• Assists hiring managers and departmental liaison's with the recruitment and selection process, to include participation in interviews, scheduling applicant interviews, coordinating pre-employment testing with central Human Resources, or generating offer letters.
• Assists with the identification of training initiatives, development and presentation of programs for employees and supervisors related to Human Resources related topics.
• Administers and interprets the Personnel Resolution pertaining to employer-employee relations.
• Assists in monitoring departmental HR metrics and trends regarding time to hire, turnover, and job requisition close out process. Generates various personnel reports as needed.
• Conducts regular meetings with department directors and/or departmental Administrator to discuss personnel needs.
• Coordinates, communicates, and supports central Human Resources with work and projects or other related duties as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Additional Water Department HR Coordinator Duties

Maintains county-wide records and database in compliance with the Drug & Alcohol policy, including administration of the monthly random drug screenings, and tracking of all drug and alcohol testing. Coordinate with departments, employees, and testing facilities to schedule and conduct applicable screenings.

Maintains DOT and FMCSA Clearinghouse compliance standards, including running queries annually and as needed.

Ensures accuracy of invoice of services from facilities that have provided occupational health and drug and alcohol screening services.

Coordinates personnel information to support Motor Vehicle Report database of current employee information.

Works in conjunction with the Security & Risk Management department to support personnel action changes and notifications for other safety related employee databases.

Tracks Union County Water employee training and certification completions, and other requirements related to required training for Water staff.

Coordinates and submits Union County Water employee certification payments.

Attends Union County Water staff and leadership team meetings as requested.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in Human Resources, Business or related field, and three (3) years of increasing responsibility and experience in the administration and maintenance of human resources program areas; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses or Certifications:

Possession of a valid North Carolina Driver's License and be able to maintain a safe driving history as defined by the Union County Vehicle Use Policy.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in Human Resources, Business or related field, and five (5) years of increasing responsibility and experience in the administration and maintenance of human resources program areas; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses or Certifications:

Possession of a valid North Carolina Driver's License and be able to maintain a safe driving history as defined by the Union County Vehicle Use Policy.

PHR and/or SHRM-CP

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including computers, copiers, fax machines, telephones, calculators, etc. Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. However, if the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires the need to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs.