Human Resources Generalist

Dow Bay Area Family YMCA; Bay City (MI); On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life

Short Term Disability

Flex Spending

YMCA Retirement Fund

Paid Time Off

Paid Sick Time

Paid Holidays

FREE YMCA Household Membership

Job summary

The Dow Bay Area Family YMCA in Bay City, MI is seeking an on-site Human Resources Generalist to manage day-to-day HR operations. This exempt, full-time role supports recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, payroll coordination, and policy compliance across the organization.

You will partner with leaders to staff needs, maintain accurate HR records (I-9, certifications, background checks), administer benefits, and guide staff through leave programs, performance reviews, and training while

Qualifications

• Experience in recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, and HR compliance.
• Bachelor's degree in HR, business, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• Minimum 3 years of progressive HR experience.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred.
• Strong understanding of employment laws and confidentiality standards.
• Experience with HRIS platforms and payroll systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• High accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Analytical mindset for process improvements.
• Collaborative team orientation.
• Nonprofit multi-department experience preferred.
• Supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead full-cycle recruitment: job postings, applicant screening, interview coordination, and offer preparation.
• Partner with hiring managers to determine staffing needs and strengthen recruiting processes.
• Coordinate and facilitate new employee orientation.
• Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes to support compliance and a smooth employee transition.
• Conduct new-hire check-ins and support retention initiatives.
• Manage performance appraisal administration and coordinate exit interviews.
• Coordinate and attend hiring events as needed.
• Ensure consistent application of organizational policy and compliance with employment laws.
• Maintain accurate employee records, including I-9 documentation, certifications, background checks, and required acknowledgements.
• Monitor employee certifications, licenses, and credentials to support ongoing compliance.
• Maintain HRIS data accuracy and generate reports as needed.
• Process employee status changes in line with established payroll deadlines.
• Support biweekly payroll processing and related administrative tasks.
• Maintain HR documentation and support handbook updates.
• Participate in accreditation or compliance initiatives, including child abuse prevention standards.
• Serve as a resource to employees and supervisors on HR policies, procedures, and workplace concerns.
• Support leadership in addressing performance, conduct, and employee relations issues consistently and compliantly.
• Assist with progressive discipline administration.
• Coordinate employee recognition programs, appreciation events, and engagement initiatives.
• Conduct regular staff and department check-ins to identify concerns early and share HR guidance and resources.
• Administer employee surveys and compile results for leadership review.
• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes and the employee experience.
• Coordinate benefit enrollment for new hires, status changes, and offboarding.
• Assist with open enrollment activities and benefit communication.
• Support leave program administration, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, workers’ compensation, and return-to-work processes.
• Oversee volunteer onboarding, including background checks, required documentation, and compliance requirements.
• Maintain accurate volunteer records and support volunteer engagement and retention.
• Provide administrative and operational support to the HR department and organizational leadership as needed.
• Provide functional oversight and mentorship to HR interns (project assignment and work review).
• Support cross-department initiatives requiring HR coordination.
• Participate in special projects and assignments as directed by the CHRO.

Skills

Recruitment

Onboarding

Employee relations

HR compliance

Confidentiality

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organization

Time management

Attention to detail

Discretion with sensitive info

Analytical / process improvement

Team collaboration

Customer service mindset

Nonprofit environment experience

Supervisory experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business

Equivalent experience considered

SHRM certification (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR)

Tools

HRIS

Payroll systems

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Human Resources Generalist role supporting day-to-day HR operations onsite at the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA in Bay City, MI.

Responsibilities

• Lead full-cycle recruitment: job postings, applicant screening, interview coordination, and offer preparation
• Partner with hiring managers to determine staffing needs and strengthen recruiting processes
• Coordinate and facilitate new employee orientation
• Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes to support compliance and a smooth employee transition
• Conduct new-hire check-ins and support retention initiatives
• Manage performance appraisal administration and coordinate exit interviews
• Coordinate and attend hiring events as needed
• Ensure consistent application of organizational policy and compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws
• Maintain accurate employee records, including I-9 documentation, certifications, background checks, and required acknowledgements
• Monitor employee certifications, licenses, and credentials to support ongoing compliance
• Maintain HRIS data accuracy and generate reports as needed
• Process employee status changes (new hires, terminations, and related updates) in line with established payroll deadlines
• Support biweekly payroll processing and related administrative tasks
• Maintain HR documentation and support handbook updates
• Participate in accreditation or compliance initiatives, including child abuse prevention standards
• Serve as a resource to employees and supervisors on HR policies, procedures, and workplace concerns
• Support leadership in addressing performance, conduct, and employee relations issues consistently and compliantly
• Assist with progressive discipline administration
• Coordinate employee recognition programs, appreciation events, and engagement initiatives
• Conduct regular staff and department check-ins to identify concerns early and share HR guidance and resources
• Administer employee surveys and compile results for leadership review
• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes and the employee experience
• Coordinate benefit enrollment for new hires, status changes, and offboarding
• Assist with open enrollment activities and benefit communication
• Support leave program administration, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, workers’ compensation, and return-to-work processes
• Oversee volunteer onboarding, including background checks, required documentation, and compliance requirements
• Maintain accurate volunteer records and support volunteer engagement and retention
• Provide administrative and operational support to the HR department and organizational leadership as needed
• Provide functional oversight and mentorship to HR interns (project assignment and work review)
• Support cross-department initiatives requiring HR coordination
• Participate in special projects and assignments as directed by the CHRO

Requirements

• Experience in recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, and HR compliance required
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered
• Minimum 3 years of progressive human resources experience preferred
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred
• Strong understanding of employment laws, HR best practices, and confidentiality standards
• Experience with HRIS platforms and payroll systems
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
• Strong organization and time management skills; ability to handle multiple priorities
• High accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to analyze processes and implement improvements
• Collaborative team orientation
• Commitment to high-quality internal customer service
• Experience in a multi-department or nonprofit environment preferred
• Supervisory experience preferred

Technologies

• HRIS
• Payroll systems
• Microsoft Office
• Google Workspace

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life
• Short Term Disability
• Flex Spending
• YMCA Retirement Fund
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Sick Time
• Paid Holidays
• FREE YMCA Household Membership

Additional Job Details

• Location: Bay City, MI (onsite)
• Reports to: Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)
• Status: Full-time, salaried; generally during standard weekday business hours
• Work schedule flexibility: Exempt role; hours may vary based on organizational needs, including occasional early mornings, evenings, or weekends for recruitment activities, employee meetings, training, or operational priorities
• Compensation: Starting salary range from $45,000 per year