Human Resources Generalist

City of Decatur, AL; Decatur (AL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Decatur, AL is seeking an HR Generalist to attract, support, and develop the workforce that keeps the city thriving. The role partners with departments, champions employee programs, and upholds city values in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities include posting openings, screening, selecting, onboarding, payroll support, and training. Education and payroll/benefits expertise are required, with SHRM/HRCI/IPMA-HR certification being highly desirable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR Management or related field.
• 5+ years of generalist HR experience; 3–5 years in benefits administration and/or payroll preferred.
• Certified Professional through SHRM, HRCI or IPMA-HR desirable.
• Willingness to complete 10 hours of Continuing Education in HR per year.
• Knowledge of state and federal employment laws; workers’ compensation policies.
• Knowledge of city recruitment and hiring practices; HR policies and procedures.
• Proficiency with HRIS/ERP and Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Posts job openings and establishes eligible registers; administers exams and schedules interviews.
• Completes selection process and makes offers; schedules physicals; performs background checks.
• Coordinates payroll processing and timekeeping administration; assists with wage/benefits statements.
• Assists with employee education, training, and benefits enrollment meetings.
• Manages leave requests (FMLA) and related records; maintains logs and reports.
• Assists leadership with performance management and investigations; prepares regular reports.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Skills

HR principles

Employment law

Benefits administration

Payroll processing

Recruitment & staffing

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree in HRM or related field

Tools

HRIS

ERP systems

MS Office

Job description

Salary is commensurate with work experience

Are you passionate about people, driven by purpose, and ready to make a lasting impact in your community? The City of Decatur is seeking a dedicated HR Generalist to help us attract, support, and develop the talented workforce that keeps our city thriving. In this role, you’ll be more than an HR professional—you’ll be a trusted partner to our departments, a champion for our employees, and a steward of the values that make Decatur a great place to live, work, and serve.

• Posts job openings; establishes eligible registers for job applicants; administers written exams; schedules interviews; prepares related correspondence.
• Completes selection process and makes conditional offers of employment; schedules physical exams; performs background checks; verifies education and work history.
• Conducts employee education and training including new hire orientation and benefit enrollment meetings.
• Conducts promotional process examinations for assigned departments.
• Processes part-time seasonal employee entrance documents; verifies eligibility; prepares monthly accession and exit reports; completes verifications
• Coordinates Family Medical Leave requests; updates FMLA log; assists employees with filing.
• Completes wage and benefits statements for workers’ compensation carrier; prepares related adjustments to payroll; maintains Report of Injury log; processes bills to carrier; assists with lawsuits.
• Assists employees with educational assistance benefits; verifies college accreditation status; maintains logs; processes reimbursements.
• Assists with payroll processing and timekeeping administration.
• Assists leadership with performance management and incident investigations.
• Prepares a variety of regular and special reports.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

• Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of a baccalaureate degree in a course of study related to the occupational field (HR Management, Organizational Development, Organizational Leadership, Workforce Development, and Business Administration).
• Proficient in use of desktop computers and applicable applications including all Microsoft Office Products and prior experience in database management and HRIS and ERP systems.
• Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of five or more years of direct work experience in a generalist capacity. Three (3) to five (5) years of directly related benefits administration and/or payroll processing experience preferred.
• Certified Professional through SHRM, HRCI or IPMA-HR highly desirable.
• Must be willing to complete ten (10) hours of Continuing Education Courses (CEC’s) per year in Human Resources topics.
• Knowledge of human resource management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of state and federal employment laws.
• Knowledge of workers’ compensation policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of city recruitment and hiring practices.
• Knowledge of city and departmental policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of computers and job-related software programs.
• Knowledge of employee benefits administration principles.
• Skill in prioritizing and organizing work.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in the provision of customer services.

Guidelines

• Employment laws, federal and state regulations, and city and department policies and procedures. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.

Complexity/Scope of Work

• The work consists of varied administrative duties. Strict regulations and deadlines contribute to the complexity of the position.
• The purpose of this position is to provide support for the city’s human resources functions. Successful performance helps ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of those functions.

Contacts

• Contacts are typically with co-workers, other city employees, job applicants, and the general public.
• Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, resolve inquiries, and provide services.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, or stooping.
• The work is typically performed in an office.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility

• None.