Employee Support Specialist

Hope Utilities•Morgantown, WV

About The Position

The Employee Support Specialist is a primary point of contact for employees and leaders, providing responsive Human Resources support across multiple operating companies. The role works similarly to an HR Generalist and may develop subject matter expertise and primary responsibility in assigned areas. The position’s primary focus is talent acquisition, including full-cycle recruiting, candidate engagement, and onboarding, while also supporting HR operations, payroll, benefits, and leave administration. The role is an individual contributor under general supervision, handling moderately complex tasks and escalating more complex issues as needed. This is a full-time, exempt salaried position. Minimum work-related travel is expected to be less than 25%, including some overnight visits to locations and industry events.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, industrial relations, or a related field and at least 5 years of experience in human resources or a related field; alternatively, a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 9 years of experience in human resources or a related field.
Strong interpersonal, communication, customer service, and relationship-building skills, including the ability to build trust and maintain confidentiality.
Working knowledge of human resources practices, employment laws, unionized workforces, and HR systems.
Empathy, professionalism, adaptability, and commitment to an exceptional employee experience.
Problem-solving, conflict-resolution, organizational, and change-management skills, with a solution-focused mindset.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, support diverse HR functions, and build effective partnerships with employees and leaders.
Proficiency with HR technology, including HRIS, SharePoint, and Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to develop and deliver training, guidance, and resources to employees and leaders.
Ability to meet the stated physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation, including remaining stationary for extended periods; occasionally alternating among sitting, standing, walking, crouching, and kneeling; occasionally lifting, pushing, or pulling up to 25 pounds; using a computer and office productivity machinery; communicating and hearing sufficiently for general and phone communications; and using visual acuity to read, observe surroundings, recognize hazards, and perform tasks safely.
Ability to observe details at close range, problem solve, prioritize tasks, and interpret and understand written documents.

Nice To Haves

Human Resources experience supporting employees and leaders in unionized work environments.
Experience interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements and related employment practices.
Experience supporting an organization with multiple collective bargaining agreements across operating companies.
Talent acquisition specialization or experience leading recruitment efforts, coordinating hiring processes, and providing seamless onboarding experiences.

Responsibilities

Serve as the first point of contact for leaders and union and non-union employees with questions about HR programs, policies, collective bargaining agreements, procedures, benefits, payroll, leave administration, and employment practices.
Provide timely, accurate, employee-centered customer service and build trusted relationships across multiple operating companies.
Help employees resolve workplace concerns and refer complex issues to appropriate HR leadership.
Support employee engagement, recognition, communications, and culture-building initiatives, promoting a positive employee experience throughout the employee lifecycle.
Coordinate and administer HR processes, programs, and transactions in accordance with company policies, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable laws.
Maintain accurate and confidential employee records, HR systems, and personnel documentation.
Prepare reports, metrics, and workforce data for HR decision-making and organizational planning.
Assist with policy and collective bargaining agreement interpretation and consistent application of employment practices.
Support recruiting, candidate sourcing, interview scheduling, pre-employment processes, and offer administration for union and non-union roles.
Partner with hiring managers to facilitate efficient recruitment experiences; coordinate onboarding and new employee orientation; and assist in developing talent pipelines for skilled trades, technical, operations, and professional positions.
Assist with payroll processing, data entry, audits, payroll inquiries, record maintenance, and resolution of payroll concerns with providers and internal stakeholders.
Support compliance with wage and hour laws and company payroll procedures.
Assist employees with benefit enrollment, changes, and questions about health and welfare plans, retirement programs, and leave benefits.
Coordinate annual open enrollment and employee education, and liaise with employees, benefit vendors, and internal stakeholders.
Support administration of leave programs, including FMLA and ADA accommodations.
Contribute to team goals and objectives as an individual contributor without supervisory responsibilities.