Human Resources Generalist

Columbus Metropolitan Library; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbus Metropolitan Library seeks an HR Generalist to support employee relations, workforce reporting, and HRIS administration. The role emphasizes data accuracy, audits, and policy implementation across HR functions.

You will manage HRIS data, run reports, assist with audits, and collaborate with Payroll/Benefits to ensure compliant processes. The position requires strong communication, confidentiality, and problem-solving in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HRM, Business Admin, or related field.
• 3–5 years of related experience.
• Strong understanding of HR functions and practices.
• Public sector and collective bargaining experience preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Excellent communication and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Provide general HR support to employees and managers.
• Conduct investigations into misconduct and policy violations.
• Administer and maintain HRIS, including data management and audits.
• Ensure data accuracy and confidentiality.
• Enter personnel data and provide audits for accuracy.
• Provide HRIS guidance and end-user training.
• Collaborate with HR Operations Manager on system changes and training.
• Support payroll/benefits with system validations.
• Maintain records retention compliance.
• Assist with recruitment, onboarding, and HR reporting as needed.
• Maintain policy acknowledgement schedule and support performance management.

Skills

Employee relations

Data entry

Communication

Confidentiality

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Team player

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HRM or related field

Tools

ADP

HRIS systems

Excel

Job description

About the Position:

The Human Resources Generalist provides a broad range of support across the HR Department, with a primary focus on employee relations, workforce reporting, and HRIS administration. This position will support, maintain, and audit the organization's HRIS applications and systems. The role will also provide ad hoc support for key HR functions and initiatives to address evolving organizational needs and priorities.

What You’ll Do:

• Provides general HR support to employees and managers by responding to routine questions, preparing documentation, and supporting consistent application of the library’s processes and policies.
• Supports and conducts thorough, prompt, and objective investigations, as directed, into allegations of misconduct, policy violations, workplace conflict, and other employee or labor relations matters. Ensures that matters are reviewed and resolved in accordance with established policies, applicable laws, and collective bargaining obligations. Maintains complete and accurate case files, documents findings and recommendations, and communicates appropriate outcomes to relevant parties.
• Administer and maintain the Human Resources Information System (HRIS), including employee data management, system audits, troubleshooting, and user support.
• Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality of employee data through regular audits, validation processes, and adherence to record retention requirements.
• Enters employee and human resources data (ex: New Hire; performance; compensation, position and organizational changes) and provides audits/validation to ensure accuracy.
• Proactively provides technical support, troubleshooting, and guidance to HRIS users on technical processes, systems, and tools.
• Explores new HRIS features and system changes and makes recommendations for HRIS system optimization and process improvements to best support organizational needs. Communicates changes to impacted users and stakeholders.
• Develops and provides documentation of HRIS capabilities, system changes, and works with HR Operations Manager to identify, develop, and facilitate training to end users.
• Engages vendors concerning system issues and assists in resolution, escalating when appropriate.
• Acts as a liaison between HR and the Payroll/Benefits department to review and approve system requirements/revisions and participate in payroll’s validation processes to ensure data accuracy.
• Responsible for supporting the maintenance and security of employee records, including record retention compliance.
• Provides backup support to the Leave Administrator by assisting with leave intake, employee communications, documentation tracking, accommodations processes, and related compliance activities.
• Serves as a backup for the library’s unemployment and workers’ compensation program.
• Provides ad-hoc support across critical HR functions and initiatives as assigned including recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, training, workforce initiatives, HR data & reporting, and others to meet evolving organizational priorities.
• Maintains the policy acknowledgement schedule, including issuing required acknowledgements, monitoring completion, and following up as needed.
• Supports the performance management process by administering performance review cycles, monitoring completion, providing guidance to managers and employees, and maintaining related records.
• Communicates with employees and supervisors both verbally and in writing.
• Supports regular and ad-hoc HR reporting by generating reports and assisting with analyzing data to identify workforce trends.
• Stays current on and ensures adherence to evolving employment laws and regulations.
• Performs additional duties as assigned including serving on task forces, committees, etc.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, or related field required.
• 3-5 years of related experience required.
• Thorough understanding of Human Resource functional areas, policies, and practices.
• Public sector and collective bargaining environment experience preferred.
• Highly adaptable and agile professional with the ability to shift priorities, learn new processes, and provide cross-functional support in response to changing organizational and workforce needs.
• Thorough understanding of information systems with a highly technical understanding of at least one commercial HRIS product. ADP experience preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and highly skilled in data entry and Excel functionality.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Understands and adheres to confidentiality.
• Customer service focus with the ability to capture and deliver on needs.
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail. Focused on quality and accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Self-motivated team player with the ability to multi-task, prioritize, and organize workload to meet deadlines.
• Works well in a fast-paced environment, independently under pressure, and highly responsive to business needs.
• Valid driver license which meets the minimum requirements of CML’s vehicle insurance policy and access to a personal vehicle to promptly report to varied work locations as assigned.