Human Resources Generalist

City of Highland Park; Highland Park (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Highland Park is seeking a dynamic HR professional to impact the employee experience across the organization. This hands-on role supports employees throughout their careers, balancing people-focused work with day-to-day HR administration.

The position emphasizes benefits and leave administration, HRIS and records management, recruitment and onboarding, and employee engagement and wellness. Reports to the HR Manager and offers a competitive salary.

Qualifications

• Three to five years of professional HR experience, with two years in benefits or leave administration.
• Municipal or public sector experience strongly preferred.
• A valid driver’s license is required. SHRM-CP or PHR designation strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Benefits Administration: administer employee and retiree benefit programs, enrollments, eligibility changes and benefit terminations; reconcile insurance billings and coordinate with payroll.
• Leave Administration: manage FMLA and other leaves; track notices, deadlines and payroll impacts.
• HRIS Administration: maintain employee information in the City’s HRIS and ensure accurate payroll processing.
• Employee Onboarding & Offboarding: coordinate orientation and exit interviews for a consistent employee experience.
• HR Communications: respond to inquiries, manage communications, publish the Employee Newsletter, update benefits page.
• Engagement & Wellness: plan and evaluate engagement and wellness programs and complete annual IPBC reporting.
• Records Administration: maintain personnel files and assist with FOIA requests and records searches.
• Recruitment & Selection: support postings, screening, interviews and documentation for selection and pre-employment steps.
• Professional Development: participate in associations and trainings; stay current on HR trends.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education

Associate’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration or related field

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration or related field

Job description

The City of Highland Park is seeking a dynamic HR professional looking to make a meaningful impact across the employee experience. This broad, hands-on role provides the opportunity to support employees throughout their careers with the City. The ideal candidate is approachable, detail-oriented and enjoys balancing people-focused work with the day-to-day administration of Human Resources.

Primary Purpose:

Provides professional support across a broad range of Human Resources functions, with emphasis on benefits and leave administration, HRIS and records management, recruitment and selection, employee onboarding and employee engagement and wellness. Serves as a resource to employees and departments and supports the day-to-day administration of HR programs, processes and communications. Ensures compliance with applicable employment laws, regulations and City policies within assigned areas of responsibility.

Supervision Received:

Works under the direct supervision of the Human Resources Manager.

Expected hiring range:

$70,000 – $80,000 DOQ
2026 Grade 10 Full Range: $62,588.70 min – $93,883.05 max
Salary Exempt; IMRF Pension Eligible Role

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Benefits Administration: Administer employee and retiree benefit programs, including enrollments, qualifying life events, eligibility changes and benefit terminations. Reconcile monthly insurance billings, coordinate benefit deductions with payroll and resolve employee, vendor and carrier issues. Coordinate open enrollment, prepare and distribute materials and assist with evaluating and implementing plan design changes in consultation with insurance pool representatives and benefit consultants.
• Leave Administration: Administer employee leave programs, including FMLA and other applicable leaves. Coordinate required notices and documentation, track leave usage and deadlines, communicate with employees and departments and coordinate benefit and payroll impacts associated with leaves of absence.
• HRIS Administration: Maintain employee information and process personnel actions within the City’s HRIS. Audit employee data and partner with departments and payroll to ensure timely and accurate personnel, pay and benefit processing for each payroll cycle.
• Employee Onboarding & Offboarding: Coordinate employee onboarding, new hire orientation and exit interviews, ensuring a timely and consistent experience for employees and departments.
• HR Communications: Serve as the primary point of contact for the Human Resources Division, responding to inquiries from employees and the public, managing HR-related communications, producing the Employee Newsletter, and updating City staff benefits webpage.
• Engagement & Wellness: Plan, administer and evaluate the City’s employee engagement, recognition and wellness programs, including committee meetings, activities, communications and educational initiatives. Maintain wellness records and complete required annual reporting to IPBC.
• Records Administration: Compile, maintain and update employee personnel files, HR records and division data in compliance with applicable retention requirements. Assist with HR-related FOIA requests, records searches and responses.
• Recruitment & Selection: Support recruitment and selection processes, including reviewing and screening applications, conducting initial candidate interviews, coordinating interview processes, communicating with candidates, maintaining applicant records and assisting departments throughout the selection and pre-employment process.
• Professional Development: Participate in professional associations and training; remain current on HR trends and recommend policy or procedural improvements.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education:

Associate’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration or related field or equivalent coursework required. Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration or related field preferred.

Experience:

Three to five of professional HR experience, with two years in benefits or leave administration. Municipal or public sector experience strongly preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Certification or License:

A valid driver’s license is required. SHRM-CP or PHR designation strongly preferred.