HR Associate

NORTHWESTERN BANK•Chippewa Falls, WI

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Northwestern Bank is seeking a full-time, on-site, Human Resource Associate to work out of our Main Bank location in downtown Chippewa Falls. This position will work closely with the Human Resource manager to identify and fulfill department and bank needs. The role involves coordinating the human resources function at the Bank, assisting in providing the best working environment for employees, and overseeing the stockholder program, process documentation, employee training and communication projects, and payroll and benefits coordination.

Requirements

An associate's degree or certification in an HR related field, or equivalent work experience.
High level of integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality.
Detail oriented.
Able to multi-task.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
Thorough knowledge and understanding of employment laws.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
Sound judgement and problem solving skills.
Friendly and professional demeanor.
Exemplify our Core Values of deliver an exceptional experience, shine through service, lead with integrity, create positive impact, and foster genuine relationships.
An associate degree in an HR area, or equivalent banking industry training, and some experience with the administrative aspects of personnel is preferred.
Courteous and professional customer service attitude.
Extensive knowledge of bank services and products.
Excellent verbal communication and problem-solving skills for interacting professionally with co-workers and customers in both pleasant and difficult situations.
Basic mathematical skills (add, subtract, multiply, divide, fractions, percents, decimals).
Legible handwriting.
Ability to use a PC and input and retrieve computerized information (at least at an intermediate level).
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
Ability to read and interpret technical documents.
Ability to compose routine business correspondence and reports (good grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.).
Ability to maintain the integrity of highly confidential customer, Bank and employee information.
Ability to deal effectively with deadline pressures and stress.
May need to bend, stoop, and lift to move office materials and retrieve files (approx. 20 lb.).
May be required to occasionally attend meetings that are out-of-town and overnight.

Nice To Haves

Serving and getting to know our customers in our day-to-day, face-to-face interactions with them is very rewarding.
Our team at NB works hard alongside each other, assisting others when needed.
Northwestern Bank supports the communities we serve, helping to make the lives of all community members better, including our own.
We have a family-friendly work environment and great work culture.
We look for ways to have fun and connect with each other throughout the day, while still working hard to serve our customers.
Assists in the planning of bank functions (Picnic, Retirements, and other gatherings etc.).
Participates on Bank committees, as requested.

Responsibilities

Process the semi-monthly payroll, reconcile payroll GL accounts, oversee the benefits enrollment for all employees, including during the open enrollment period.
Assist with employment ads, coordinate and participate in the interview process, conduct background checks, communicate and assist with the onboarding process and experience, including orientation, assist with creating and maintaining employee files, assist with internal and external audits.
Assist employees and managers with their questions and requests, run reports and communicate with managers on a monthly basis, assist in planning and coordinating events, be an active member of the culture committee, assist with the performance evaluation process, coordinate and attend career fairs at various educational institutions.
Complete and file required government reports, complete and submit wage surveys, assist with the semi-annual employee newsletter, post regularly on the intranet page, help administer the shareholder program, send out mailings for administration, assist with board meetings and other administrative tasks as needed.
Responsible for the preparation and transmittal of payroll information to/from third party provider. Gathers information on hours, verifies accuracy, works with payroll processing provider to ensure accuracy of payroll earnings, taxes and deductions.
Maintains accurate employee records and communicates changes to all benefit providers.
Tracks vacation, sick time, FMLA, and other leave for employees.
Administers the Cafeteria plan and processes distributions for plan participants.
Balances payroll GL accounts on a monthly basis, ensuring accurate billing from providers, initiates contact with provider when needed.
Assists in the hiring process, as needed, including advertising positions, scheduling interviews, attending interviews and employee selection.
Assists employees with administration of their benefit plans. Ensures that: enrollment is completed accurately and on time, allowable employee-requested changes to benefit plans are made (additions/deletions of dependents, changes to beneficiaries or coverage/deductions, etc.), and employees are informed of changes to plan provisions.
Assists in developing and maintaining new employee orientation training program for all new hires at the Bank. May need to assist new employees with signing up for benefits, reviewing bank policies and employee handbook, etc. Assists in keeping the process updated.
Assists in coordinating all training activities, including determining training needs, scheduling, coordinating logistics and selection of programs. Includes compliance issues, security, marketing, etc. Keeps accurate records of all employee training activities (topics, attendance, etc.). May need to conduct training sessions for new employees and/or bank products and services.
Assists in revising and updating job descriptions as needed.
Assists in documenting procedures for all phases of the Human Resource function.
Keeps current with changes to employment policies in employee handbook.
Assists AVP-Human Resources with employee terminations, including the preparation of COBRA paperwork and other documentation as needed.
Assists in managing the Shareholder software program, timely pay all shareholders as directed by Bank President and Chief Financial Officer, transfer/buy back shares from shareholders as directed by Bank President, work with third party administrator for correct and accurate year-end reporting.
Prepares all required reporting (Multiple worksite reports, Vets 100, EEO-1, etc.). Prepares wage surveys as previously selected.
Assists in determining best communication channels to keep all employees informed of projects and other information needed.
Assists with organizing, researching, and preparing special Bank projects.
Assists in gathering data as needed for internal and external audits.
Assists in the planning of bank functions (Picnic, Retirements, and other gatherings etc.).
Participates on Bank committees, as requested.
Other duties as may be necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this position.