Statement of Duties

The Human Resources (HR) Generalist is responsible for the provision of day-to-day operations in support of the HR Department. All work is performed in accordance with City policies and procedures, in addition to local, state, and federal regulations.

Essential Functions:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

May be the primary or backup for the following HR functions:

Implements HR policies and procedures, as directed by the Director, Deputy Director or HR Manager
Maintains compliance with State and Federal regulations concerning employment
Maintains knowledge of HR best practices and trends, existing and new legislation
Maintains positive employee relations
Performs department financial functions (i.e., budget, payroll, contracts & invoices), under direction
Prepares fiscal reports, public records requests, and other administrative reports & documents
Provides assistance and information to outside agencies, as directed
Provides assistance with the administration of FMLA and other forms of leave
Supports Civil Service processes to hire and promote public safety employees
Provides general information and assistance to City Department managers and staff regarding HR policies and practices, including the posting of all current employment laws and updates; coordinates City website updates for HR pages.
Assists Employee Engagement Specialist in new hire onboarding and orientation; processes new hires, employee transfers, promotions and terminations; schedules pre-employment physicals as needed.
Oversees unemployment compensation and payment of invoices
Maintains employee data records, current and archived in accordance with department protocols and federal and state retention regulations and schedules
Conducts annual I-9 audit and maintains I-9 records in accordance with Federal regulations
Along other staff, attends office counter, greeting and assisting members of the public and directing them to the appropriate staff person as required
Oversees the schedule and work of seasonal and part-time staff
Oversees and maintains office supply inventory
Performs other related duties as required and assigned.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Associates Degree and three to five (3-5) years of Human Resources experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

HRCI PHR or SHRM-CP Certification preferred.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of standard office procedures, software, and office equipment; thorough knowledge of Federal, State and local regulations applicable to HR administration, employment and record-keeping.

Ability: Ability to handle inquiries and emergencies effectively; ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing; ability to maintain confidential information and act with integrity and professionalism; ability to maintain, manage, and organize records; ability to prioritize tasks and delegate them when appropriate; ability to interact effectively and appropriately with City employees, City officials, job applicants, vendors, Civil Service (HRD) staff and members of the general public.

Skill: Strong interpersonal and organizational skills; excellent communication skills both verbal and written; excellent negotiation, and conflict resolution skills; excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines and attention to detail; strong analytical, problem-solving and independent research skills; proficient computer skills for all office software programs including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel) and Outlook calendar/scheduling; ability to learn applicant tracking system software and other HRIS applications. Experience with MUNIS software preferred.

Work Environment

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to attend evening meetings or complete work assignments.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills

Few physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. May also be some occasional lifting of objects such as office equipment and computer paper (up to 30 lbs.) Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Motor Skills

Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone, personal computer and/or most other office equipment including word processing, filing and sorting of papers.

Visual Skills

Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.

Hours: Full-time, City Hall Hours
Salary: $75,000-$78,000 annualized, plus benefits.
Union: Non-Union
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Date Posted: July 29th, 2026

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The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact the ADA Coordinator at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov.

Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:

MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance
Completion of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for municipal employees

Overview of Total Rewards:

4 weeks annual vacation for non-union positions. Union positions vary by contract. Please note, police officers are members of the SPEA union. Public Health Nurses are part of Union A (SMEA).
Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
Long term disability through Sun Life
Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
Annual cancer screening & wellness release
Somerville Retirement Pension System
Tuition reimbursement
MBTA pass program
FREE Blue Bikes membership
Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville and not a binding contract.

City of Somerville

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Human Resources Generalist