Senior HR Generalist

State of Montana; East Helena (MT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The State Human Resources Division is seeking a Senior Human Resources Generalist to support the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) in Montana.

This senior HR expert will guide agency-embedded HR Partners and division managers on labor relations, coaching, disciplinary actions, and performance improvements, aiming to reduce turnover and boost outcomes across DPHHS.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of employment law and HR regulations.
• Experience with unions and collective bargaining agreements.
• Ability to apply HR laws, regulations, and arbitration decisions.
• Discretion, integrity, and fair-mindedness under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Provide agency-embedded HR support to DPHHS and managers.
• Counsel managers on coaching, progressive discipline, and employee relations matters.
• Improve recruitment, retention, and employee engagement across DPHHS.
• Lead trainings for managers and HR professionals on HR policies and processes.
• Support workforce planning and special HR projects.

Skills

Employment law

Labor relations

Coaching and discipline

Recruitment and retention

Employee development

HR policy

Training delivery

Interpersonal communications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/BA

Job description

The State Human Resources Division is seeking a Senior Human Resources Generalist to support the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). The state of Montana recently implemented a centralized human resources model, which includes central HR and agency-embedded support.

This agency-embedded position leads human resource (HR) efforts focused on maintaining positive labor relations, counseling managers on coaching and progressive discipline, and improving recruitment, retention, and engagement of employees throughout DPHHS.

This position serves as a senior level human resources subject matter expert. This position assists agency-embedded HR Partners and DPHHS division managers with limiting employee turnover and improving and increasing employee performance. Additionally, this position guides employee relations matters, including corrective action, disciplinary processes, and supervisory education. The position provides expertise in HR policy matters as well as HR planning and special projects.

This position reports to an agency-embedded HR Manager.

The successful candidate will be subject to reference checks and a criminal background check.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of employment law, human resources related regulations, programs, principles and practices.
• Knowledge and experience working with unions and collective bargaining agreements.
• Ability to apply knowledge of human resource laws, regulations, court and arbitration decisions.
• Ability to cope with conflicting points of view, function under pressure, and demonstrate discretion, integrity, and fair-mindedness, in a persuasive, genial fashion.
• Ability to influence best practice adherence while providing advice and outstanding customer service.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and deal with sensitive employee information responsibly.
• Ability to work effectively with people of various ages, cultural backgrounds, levels of education, and experience.
• Ability to model high standards of honesty, integrity, trust, openness and respect for the individual.
• Ability to present trainings to managers and human resource professionals.
• Ability to collaboratively work in a team-based environment with division, facility and HR partners.
• Ability to implement and function utilizing complex service-related software programs.
• Skill in written and oral communication, including speaking in front of groups of people.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, public administration social sciences, behavioral sciences or related field.
• Four years of progressively responsible human resources experience, with exposure to the full range of human resources function including: labor relations, coaching and progressive discipline, conducting investigations, workforce planning, recruitment, compensation/classification, employee development, organizational strategy, Family Medical Leave administration and risk management.

Alternative combinations of education and experience may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional HR certification from HRCI and/or SHRM.
• Supervisory or Team Lead experience.
• Certified State of Montana job classifier.
• Experience negotiating union contracts.

Benefits of Working for the State of Montana

• Work/life balance.
• Family-friendly policies.
• Dedicated and caring colleagues.
• Health coverage.
• Retirement plans.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays (combination of up to 38 per year).
• Opportunities and room for professional growth.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under PSLF.