Senior HR Generalist

State of Montana; Helena (MT); On-site; USD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Leave & Holidays

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

State of Montana's Department of Administration seeks a Senior HR Generalist to support the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). The role focuses on labor relations, coaching managers on progressive discipline, and improving recruitment, retention and engagement across the agency.

The position serves as a senior HR subject matter expert, guiding HR Partners and division managers on HR policy matters, planning and employee relations, with reporting to an agency-embedded HR

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources or a related field.
• Four years of progressively responsible HR experience across labor relations, coaching and progressive discipline, recruitment and employee development.
• Experience with unions and collective bargaining agreements.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including ability to present trainings.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR efforts to reduce turnover and improve employee performance within DPHHS.
• Counsel managers on coaching, progressive discipline, and employee relations.
• Provide expertise on HR policy, planning and special projects.

Skills

Employment law

Labor relations

Coaching

Discipline handling

HR policy

HR planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Job description

Job Description - Senior HR Generalist (26142111)

Position Title:

Senior HR Generalist - ( 26142111 )

The State Human Resources Division is seeking Senior Human Resources Generalists 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.

Benefits of Working for the State of Montana

• Work/life balance.
• Family-friendly policies.
• Dedicated and caring colleagues.
• Health coverage.
• 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.

The Department of Administration participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here: https://www.e-verify.gov/

Applicant Pool Statement : If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment : This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Salary: $

41.96 - 41.96 Hourly Telework Eligibility : Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.) Benefits Package Eligibility : Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Employee Status

Regular

Schedule

Full-Time

Job Type

Standard

Shift

Day Job

Travel

Yes, 10 % of the Time

Primary Location

Helena Agency : Department of Administration Union : 000 - None

Posting Date

Oct 15, 2026, 2:46:09 PM Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone) : Oct 30, 2026, 5:59:00 AM

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.