HR Generalist - Benefits & Operations

North Shore Community Health•Salem, MA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The HR Generalist reports to the Vice President of Human Resources and is responsible for administering and supporting NSCH’s employee benefits programs while providing general HR support across employee lifecycle activities. This role serves as a primary resource for employees regarding benefit eligibility, enrollment, leave administration, and HR policies, and keeps benefits data accurate in NSCH’s HR & payroll system (Paylocity). The HR Generalist ensures compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, maintains accurate employee records, and works collaboratively with internal stakeholders and external vendors, including benefits carriers and third-party administrators, to deliver a positive employee experience. This position is hybrid and requires three days per week from our office in Salem, MA.

Requirements

Minimum of 3 years of human resources experience with significant responsibility for benefits administration.
Experience administering leave programs, including FMLA and ADA accommodations, preferred.
Experience working in a healthcare environment is preferred.
Experience with HRIS/payroll systems required; Paylocity experience a plus.
Strong knowledge of employee benefits administration and applicable employment laws, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and ADA.
Proficiency with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office applications.
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
Excellent customer service and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
Strong problem-solving, analytical, and time-management skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated ability to work in a culturally diverse and inclusive environment.
Requires being able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time, as well as the ability to use computers, copiers, and a phone.
May need to travel to multiple sites.
Interfaces regularly with the employee population in person, by phone, and by email regarding benefits and related HR matters.
Interfaces regularly with benefits carriers, third-party administrators, and brokers.
Coordinates regularly with Payroll and Finance on benefits-related processing and reporting.
As a health center, NSCH ensures that all employees comply with the annual requirements for vaccinations and health screenings.
All employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of their employment unless they have been granted a religious or medical exception.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination must be provided, and prospective employees must be vaccinated before their first day of employment, submitting their vaccination record and pre-hire paperwork.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Responsibilities

Administer employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plans, flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and wellness programs.
Manage new hire benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, and the annual open enrollment process, including preparing enrollment materials and communications.
Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefit inquiries, providing guidance on plan options, eligibility, and enrollment steps.
Coordinate benefit terminations, COBRA administration, and retiree benefits as applicable.
Reconcile monthly benefit invoices and resolve discrepancies with carriers and vendors.
Maintain benefit records and ensure timely, accurate updates within Paylocity and other benefit administration systems.
Complete employment and benefits verification forms, and process paperwork for loan-forgiveness programs such as HRSA and PSLF.
Develop and distribute employee communications regarding benefits, wellness initiatives, and plan changes.
Administer leaves of absence, including FMLA, Massachusetts and other state family and medical leave programs, ADA accommodations, military leave, bereavement leave, and personal leave.
Monitor leave schedules, documentation, eligibility requirements, and return-to-work processes.
Coordinate with managers, employees, and third-party administrators to ensure compliance and consistency.
Maintain confidential leave files and documentation.
Coordinate and lead new hire orientation, including the benefits and HR policy portions, and ensure presenters and materials are ready.
Explain time off, benefit packages, and enrollment steps to new hires during orientation.
Coordinate onboarding logistics, including system access setup, new hire paperwork, and scheduling of required trainings.
Coordinate and conduct employee offboarding meetings, covering benefits continuation, final pay, and return of company issued equipment.
Ensure documentation is submitted to payroll for all new hires and terminations in a timely manner.
Send separation information to departing employees and coordinate return of NSCH issued equipment.
Encourage completion of new hire and separation surveys and track trends to recommend process improvements.
Maintain employee personnel records and ensure data integrity within Paylocity and other HR systems.
Assist with policy interpretation and support managers on employee relations matters.
Respond to employee questions regarding HR policies, procedures, and programs.
Support performance management, employee engagement, and retention initiatives.
Assist with employment verifications, audits, and reporting requirements.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to employee benefits and employment practices.
Assist with ACA reporting, annual audits, census reporting, and benefits nondiscrimination testing.
Prepare HR and benefits-related reports and analyze trends as requested.
Maintain confidentiality of employee information and sensitive HR data.
Coordinate with insurance brokers, benefit carriers, retirement plan administrators, and other vendors.
Assist in evaluating benefit offerings and recommending program improvements.
Participate in HR projects, process improvement initiatives, and system implementations.
Other duties as assigned.
Attends weekly HR staff meetings.
Adheres to NSCH policies.
Adheres to NSCH values and principles.