CMS HR GENERALIST (HR Specialist)

State of Illinois•Springfield, MO

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The CMS HR Generalist supports a broad range of human resources functions, including personnel actions, policy guidance, hiring support, onboarding, and employee engagement. The role serves as a partner to managers and staff by helping address HR questions, streamline processes, and improve day-to-day operations, while contributing to recruitment initiatives, process enhancements, and other projects. Under general direction from the CMS Assistant Human Resources Manager, the specialist reviews and processes hiring interview packets and transactions for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable personnel rules and procedures. The position is a primary contact for CMS HR activities, including personnel transactions, benefits, FMLA and leaves of absence, timekeeping, employee experience, classifications, and recruiting. It also prepares, maintains, and stores HR records and files and completes special projects and other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education equivalent to completion of four years of college.
Two years of professional human resources experience.
Complete a background check and self-disclose criminal history.
Ability to travel for work, including overnight stays when appropriate.
Valid driver's license.
Ability to use agency technology and equipment in accordance with information security and confidentiality policies.
Ability to attend relevant seminars, conferences, and trainings.
Overtime is a condition of employment; the employee may be required to work scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime, including evenings and weekends.

Nice To Haves

Three years of professional experience reviewing, approving, or correcting personnel transactions; creating or maintaining position descriptions; creating or running employee recognition or engagement programs; timekeeping or benefits; and/or employee recruitment.
Three years of professional experience using HR information systems, such as HRIS, HCM/SuccessFactors, Microsoft Office Suite, or equivalent systems to research, track, process, run reports, and resolve personnel-related actions and discrepancies.
Three years of professional experience handling sensitive or confidential HR matters, including labor relations discussions, confidential personnel documentation, and communications about hiring, benefits, and employee actions.
Three years of professional experience creating, maintaining, or updating HR procedures, process documentation, or training materials to support consistency, compliance, onboarding, and guidance for managers and employees.
Three years of professional experience conducting or supporting structured interviews.

Responsibilities

Receive, review, approve, correct, or disapprove personnel hiring interview packets and hiring transactions for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with the Personnel Code and Rules, Pay Plan, and structured interview process.
Ensure appropriate documents and forms are attached to hiring packets and transactions.
Serve as a primary contact for CMS HR activities, including personnel actions, benefits, FMLA and leaves of absence, timekeeping, employee experience, classifications, and recruiting.
Prepare, maintain, and store human resources records and files.
Perform special projects for the Assistant Human Resources Manager.
Perform other duties as required or assigned within the scope of the position.

Benefits

Competitive group health, life, dental, and vision insurance.
Flexible work schedules when available and dependent upon the position.
10–25 days of paid vacation annually; 10 days for the first year of state employment.
12 days of paid sick time annually, with year-to-year carryover.
Three paid personal business days per year.
13–14 paid holidays per year, depending on election years.
12 weeks of paid parental leave.
Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System.
Voluntary Deferred Compensation supplemental retirement plan.
Optional pre-tax Medical Care Assistance Plan and Dependent Care Assistance Plan.
Tuition reimbursement program.
Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility.