Municipal HR Generalist

Town of Smithfield•Smithfield, RI

13d•$65,000 - $80,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Municipal HR Generalist serves as a shared human resources resource for both the Town of Smithfield and the Smithfield School Department. This position supports a wide range of HR functions including recruitment, employee relations, benefits administration, compliance, training, and HR process coordination. The HR Generalist works collaboratively with municipal and school leadership to ensure consistent, efficient, and legally compliant HR practices across departments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
2–5 years of professional HR experience, preferably in municipal or public-sector settings.
Knowledge of state and federal employment laws (FMLA, FLSA, ADA, Title VII).
Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
Proficiency with HRIS software and Microsoft Office Suite.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in unionized environments is a plus.

Responsibilities

Coordinate full-cycle recruitment for municipal and school positions, including job postings, applicant screening, interviews, and reference checks.
Facilitate onboarding/offboarding to ensure smooth integration into the organization.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date job descriptions for all roles.
Serve as a point of contact for employees regarding HR policies, procedures, and general inquiries.
Assist supervisors and principals with addressing employee concerns and performance-related matters.
Support positive employee engagement initiatives across both town and school departments.
Administer employee health insurance, retirement, and other benefit programs.
Assist employees with benefits enrollment, changes, and troubleshooting.
Coordinate with vendors and maintain compliance with state and federal requirements.
Ensure compliance with municipal, state, and federal employment laws and regulations.
Maintain personnel files, HR systems, and confidential records for both the town and school department.
Support reporting requirements, including EEO, ADA, and other regulatory submissions.
Assist with planning and delivering employee training programs, including safety, harassment prevention, and professional development.
Support leadership with identifying training needs and coordinating available resources.
Keep employees informed by distributing appropriate employee news/information.
Help maintain and update HR policies, handbooks, and procedures.
Support collective bargaining activities by providing research, documentation, and administrative assistance.
Promote consistent HR practices while respecting the unique needs of municipal and school operations.
Other duties may be assigned by the HR Director.