Human Resources Generalist

Valdosta City Council; Valdosta (GA); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Valdosta City Council is seeking a Human Resources Generalist to deliver broad HR functions including recruitment, payroll, benefits, leave, and compliance. You will partner with city departments, retirees, and external partners to ensure a high-performing workforce.

The role requires applying federal, state, and local laws, maintaining confidential records, and coordinating training, open enrollment, and worker’s compensation. Independent judgment and strong communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of HR principles, practices, and procedures.
• Understanding of federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Experience with benefits management concepts and retirement processes.
• Familiarity with city budgeting policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain confidential personnel information and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate recruitment and selection from posting through onboarding.
• Administer payroll changes, deductions, and position changes with finance/payroll teams.
• Manage employee benefits programs and annual open enrollment.
• Administer FMLA and coordinate leave eligibility, usage, and return-to-work.
• Support training programs, performance management, and employee development initiatives.
• Maintain HR records, policies, and compliance documentation.

Skills

Payroll administration

Benefits administration

Onboarding

Training

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Job description

Description

The Human Resources Generalist performs a broad range of professional human resources functions in support of the City's mission to recruit, develop, engage, and retain a highly qualified workforce. This position is responsible for administering employment processes, payroll and benefits administration, leave management, workers' compensation, risk management coordination, employee relations, training and development, and HR compliance. The Human Resources Generalist serves as a trusted resource to employees, supervisors, retirees, department leaders, and external partners while ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, City policies, and best practices.

This position reports to the Human Resources Director and exercises independent judgment in carrying out assigned responsibilities while maintaining the highest level of confidentiality and professionalism.

Major duties are dependent upon functional assignment and may include:

• Coordinate and administer the City's recruitment and selection process from job posting through onboarding.
• Prepare and advertise job announcements using appropriate recruitment platforms.
• Screen applications, coordinate interviews, conduct reference checks, and communicate with candidates throughout the hiring process.
• Prepare employment offers and new hire documentation.
• Coordinate pre-employment requirements including drug screening, physical examinations, background investigations, and employment eligibility verification.
• Conduct new employee orientation and facilitate the onboarding process to ensure a successful transition into City employment.
• Maintain applicant tracking records and recruitment metrics.
• Administer employee health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, voluntary, and wellness benefit programs.
• Coordinate benefit information with insurance carriers, retirement systems, brokers, and third-party administrators.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee and retiree benefit questions.
• Coordinate and manage the annual Open Enrollment process, ensuring employee participation and timely processing of benefit elections.
• Process qualifying life event changes and maintain benefit records.
• Prepare and submit life insurance and other benefit claims.
• Coordinate COBRA, retiree benefits, and other continuation coverage programs as applicable.
• Reconcile benefit invoices and assist with benefit audits.
• Administer payroll-related changes, including: direct deposits, insurance deductions, garnishments promotions and demotions, salary adjustments, and position changes.
• Work closely with Finance and Payroll staff to resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Maintain payroll records in accordance with applicable laws and City policies.
• Administer the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) program.
• Provide guidance to employees and supervisors regarding leave eligibility and requirements.
• Review medical certifications for completeness. Monitor and track FMLA usage and available leave balances. Coordinate return-to-work documentation.
• Assist with administration of ADA reasonable accommodations in coordination with supervisors and legal counsel when appropriate.
• Maintain confidential medical records in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Administer the City's Workers' Compensation Program.
• Coordinate medical authorizations and treatment plans.
• Maintain communication with injured employees, supervisors, healthcare providers, insurance adjusters, and third-party administrators.
• Coordinate return-to-work and transitional duty assignments.
• Maintain workers' compensation records and required reporting.
• Coordinate liability and property claims between City departments, insurance carriers, legal counsel, and third-party administrators.
• Assist with accident investigations and recommend corrective actions to reduce future risk.
• Track claims activity and prepare reports for management.
• Assist employees and supervisors with interpretation of personnel policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidential employee personnel files and HR records.
• Process employee status changes and personnel actions.
• Coordinate employee separation processes, including exit interviews, separation notices, benefit continuation information, and final paperwork.
• Conduct exit interviews and identify organizational trends.
• Assist with employee recognition and engagement initiatives.
• Respond to employee questions regarding HR policies, benefits, payroll, and employment matters.
• Coordinate the City's random drug and alcohol testing program. Notify departments of selected employees. Track testing completion and maintain confidential records. Coordinate reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up testing as required.
• Develop, coordinate, and facilitate employee training programs.
• Conduct training on topics including: Harassment Prevention, Workplace Respect, Leadership Development, Customer Service, Ethics, Safety Awareness, etc. Partner with departments to identify operational training needs.
• Coordinate Lunch and Learn programs and employee development opportunities.
• Maintain employee training records and compliance documentation.
• Assist with administering the Performance Management program. Reviewing evaluations and ensuring departments conduct timely evaluations with employees each year.
• Conduct salary and compensation surveys. Assist with market analysis and classification studies.
• Compile workforce statistics, census reports, and organizational metrics.
• Prepare reports related to staffing, turnover, benefits, workers' compensation, leave utilization, and training.
• Assist with budget preparation for personnel and benefit expenditures.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Assist with audits, records management, and required governmental reporting.
• Maintain HR policies, procedures, and employee handbook updates.
• Coordinate employee appreciation and wellness initiatives.
• Organize Human Resources events and recognition programs.
• Assist with employee communication initiatives.
• Participate in committees and cross-functional teams.
• Support departmental strategic initiatives and organizational improvement efforts.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of human resources principles, practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of applicable, federal, state and local laws.
• Knowledge of benefits management principles.
• Knowledge of retirement processes.
• Knowledge of the structure, functions and operations of city departments.
• Knowledge of computers and job-related software programs.
• Knowledge of city budgeting policies and procedures.
• Skill in problem solving.
• Skill in prioritizing and planning.
• Skill in interpersonal relations.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of a baccalaureate degree in a course of study related to the occupational field.
• One to three years’ experience in payroll, benefits administration, onboarding and training is highly preferred. At least one year’s experience in either onboarding or training required. Special consideration given to experience in a governmental agency.
• Experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the work of subordinate positions to be able to answer questions and resolve problems, usually associated with one to three years’ experience or service.