HR Operations Specialist

Johnson Brothers•Saint Paul, MN

About The Position

The HR Operations Specialist supports the day-to-day operations of the Human Resources team and helps provide an exceptional employee experience throughout the employment lifecycle. The role serves as a resource for candidates, employees, hiring managers, vendors, and colleagues by providing responsive, professional support. It manages HR processes ranging from candidate screening and onboarding to employee transactions, benefits, leave coordination, workers’ compensation, unemployment claims, and separations. The specialist also maintains accurate and compliant employee records in Workday and contributes to process improvements and HR projects.

Requirements

At least 2 years of experience in payroll processing, recruiting, or a general Human Resources role.
Associate's or bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent education, training, and relevant HR experience may be considered instead.
Experience using an Applicant Tracking System and an HRIS; Workday is preferred.
Experience supporting employee benefits administration, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and 401(k) plans.
Experience administering workplace leave programs, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, workers’ compensation, and disability leave programs.
Working knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and HR compliance requirements.
Ability to review, interpret, and evaluate background checks, MVRs, and drug screening results and make employment eligibility determinations in accordance with company policy and applicable laws.
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships at all organizational levels.
Strong organizational, time management, and follow-through skills, with exceptional attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information professionally and discreetly.
Ability to work with urgency while maintaining accuracy and quality.
Intermediate or advanced Microsoft Excel knowledge, including PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and formulas.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Workday Payroll.

Responsibilities

Manage the HR shared services inbox and phone line, responding to team member and manager inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
Provide HR customer service throughout the employment lifecycle and resolve HR-related inquiries.
Serve as a primary HR contact for HRBPs, supervisors, managers, and team members regarding HR policies, processes, and employment-related questions.
Build collaborative relationships with recruiters, HRBPs, and operational leaders to support hiring and onboarding.
Coordinate pre-employment activities, including background checks, drug screens, physicals, MVR reviews, employment eligibility requirements, and third-party vendor enrollment.
Review pre-employment screening results in accordance with company policy and applicable laws.
Manage candidate and hiring manager communications throughout the hiring process, including pre-employment instructions, onboarding information, technology requests, orientation details, policy acknowledgments, and disposition notifications.
Create new hire records in Workday and ensure accurate data entry, onboarding task completion, and timely approvals.
Process and maintain I-9 documentation in compliance with federal employment eligibility requirements.
Coordinate new hire start dates with internal partners and facilitate orientation sessions as needed.
Coordinate ordering and renewal of required business licenses and sales permits in applicable markets.
Route recruiting and employment-related inquiries to appropriate internal partners.
Process employee lifecycle transactions in Workday, including hires, job changes, promotions, transfers, leaves of absence, and terminations.
Partner with HRBPs and hiring managers on employee job changes and maintain accurate employee records.
Ensure Workday employee data aligns with timekeeping and scheduling systems.
Coordinate leave requests with team members, managers, and the third-party leave administrator, including documentation and system updates.
Provide day-to-day support for employee benefit programs, including enrollment, eligibility, and general inquiries.
Complete employment verifications and prepare requested employment-related documentation.
Administer workers’ compensation claims in partnership with internal partners, third-party administrators, and injured team members.
Represent the company in unemployment claims, including responses, hearings, and required documentation.
Manage separations, including final documentation, system updates, exit communications, and coordination with Payroll and Benefits.
Maintain and securely store separation agreements and related employment documentation.
Participate in process improvement initiatives, documentation updates, and HR projects.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.