Human Resources Specialist

City Personnel; Providence (RI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

City Personnel in Smithfield, RI is seeking a Human Resources Specialist to join a collaborative HR team. The role covers benefits, payroll, recruiting, and employee relations, offering variety in a fast-paced environment and long-term growth.

Responsibilities include administering benefits programs, managing multi-state payroll, coordinating leaves, maintaining records, supporting onboarding, and driving employee engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field.
• 3+ years of Human Resources experience.
• 3+ years of multi-state payroll experience.
• 1+ year of benefits administration experience.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Interpersonal, solution-oriented, and teamwork oriented.

Responsibilities

• Administer all employee benefit programs, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), COBRA, and annual open enrollment.
• Coordinate leaves of absence, including FMLA, state-specific leaves, and ADA accommodation requests.
• Process accurate, timely multi-state payroll and manage year-end compliance, including W-2s, 1095-Cs, and third-party sick pay integration.
• Maintain and regularly audit employee records, I-9 files, and personnel action forms in accordance with state and federal requirements.
• Support the full recruiting and onboarding cycle, from coordinating job postings and reviewing resumes to conducting interviews and facilitating new hire orientation.
• Keep HR compliance and onboarding training programs current with changing state and federal regulations.
• Develop and execute employee engagement initiatives, including events, wellness programming, and activities.

Skills

Benefits administration

Payroll processing

Recruiting

Employee relations

HR compliance

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field

Job description

Are you an experienced HR professional looking for a well-rounded role where you can make a real impact across benefits, payroll, recruiting, and employee relations — all within a globally recognized organization right here in Rhode Island?

We are seeking a Human Resources Specialist to join a collaborative HR team at a respected, internationally established company in Smithfield, RI. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys variety in their work, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is looking for a stable, long-term role where they can grow professionally and take ownership of meaningful HR functions.

Whether you come with a strong background in benefits and payroll or bring broad generalist experience and a passion for people operations, this role offers the chance to contribute across the full HR spectrum while being part of a supportive and well-regarded team.

Compensation:

• $75,000 – $80,000 annually, with full benefits.

Responsibilities of the Human Resources Specialist:

• Administer all employee benefit programs, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), COBRA, and annual open enrollment.
• Coordinate leaves of absence, including FMLA, state-specific leaves, and ADA accommodation requests.
• Process accurate, timely multi-state payroll and manage year-end compliance, including W-2s, 1095-Cs, and third-party sick pay integration.
• Maintain and regularly audit employee records, I-9 files, and personnel action forms in accordance with state and federal requirements.
• Support the full recruiting and onboarding cycle, from coordinating job postings and reviewing resumes to conducting interviews and facilitating new hire orientation.
• Keep HR compliance and onboarding training programs current with changing state and federal regulations.
• Develop and execute employee engagement initiatives, including events, wellness programming, and activities.
• Serve as a knowledgeable and approachable resource for employees with HR-related questions and concerns.

Qualifications of the Human Resources Specialist:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or a related business field.
• 3+ years of Human Resources experience.
• 3+ years of multi-state payroll experience.
• 1+ year of benefits administration experience.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Interpersonal, solution-oriented, and comfortable working both independently and as part of a team