The Generalist – Human Resources is responsible for implementing and performing a variety of HR-related functions on a professional level and works closely with the HR team in supporting DWC HR initiatives. This position carries out responsibilities in the following functional areas: employee relations, investigations, performance management, policy implementation, worker’s compensation, and employment law compliance. The HR Generalist will also collaborate with the Talent Acquisition Partner to provide support with recruitment and onboarding activities as needed. The HR Generalist will work both independently and collaboratively with the HR team and all departments and staff. The ideal candidate will ensure that the human resources functions noted above are administered in accordance with local, state, and federal labor laws and regulations. The position reports to the Human Resources Manager.
Essential Functions
- Administers various human resources plans and procedures for all personnel. Assists in the development and implementation of DWC policies and procedures.
- Stays informed on current HR trends and legal requirements, recommending changes to policies and procedures as needed.
- Recommends new approaches, policies, and procedures to continuously improve the efficiency of the HR department and enhance services.
- Ensures compliance with the record retention policy by maintaining and securely storing personnel files, employment records, and other HR documentation in accordance with federal, state, and agency-specific requirements.
- Prepares and files government-required reports, including but not limited to EEO-1 and CA Pay data. Maintains records, reports, and OSHA logs to ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
- Routinely assists and performs internal audits and physical inspections to ensure compliance with agency policies and procedures, as well as federal, state, and local laws or regulations. Provides audit support across all agency departments.
- Conducts thorough and confidential investigations into employee grievances and workplace incidents to gather relevant facts and ensure a fair resolution process.
- Prepares and reviews disciplinary action notices and recommends appropriate corrective actions for employee behavior concerns to ensure consistent, fair, and timely enforcement of organizational policies.
- Handles employee relations in consultation with the HR Manager, ensuring that workplace concerns are addressed effectively and fairly.
- Promotes a culture of transparency by communicating openly, sharing relevant information proactively, and fostering trust across all levels of the organization.
- Serves as a strategic partner by coaching managers and supervisors on employee relations, performance management, conflict resolution, and compliance with employment laws, empowering them to lead effectively while fostering a fair, respectful, and productive workplace.
- Maintains effective communication and positive relationships with employees to promote engagement.
- Demonstrates strong emotional intelligence by practicing self-awareness, actively seeking feedback, and adapting behavior to foster positive workplace relationships and continuous personal growth.
- Monitors the 90-day and annual performance evaluation programs, follows up to ensure timely completion, and documents all evaluations for record-keeping and compliance purposes.
- Administers leave of absence by communicating with staff and supervisors, ensuring compliance with policies and laws, and processing leave information accordingly. Coordinate with the employee and payroll department for benefit premiums.
- Assists with open enrollment and supports benefits communication and coordination for employees.
- Provides support in recruitment as needed, including job postings, employment offers, background checks, and archiving applications and other required hiring documentation (I-9 & E-Verify).
- Conducts new hire orientation and onboarding processes regularly on a rotating basis.
- Conducts exit interviews in a confidential and supportive environment, allowing departing employees to voice their experiences and provide valuable feedback.
- Coordinates and supports training compliance initiatives, including harassment prevention, workplace violence, and workers’ compensation training for the agency.
- Participates in staff meetings, serves on organizational committees, and leads special projects as needed.
- Maintains records and prepares reports related to disciplinary actions, leave of absences, transfers, promotions, and terminations.
- Prepares and compiles ad hoc projects, reports, and audits as required to support departmental and organizational needs.
- This role requires mandatory onsite presence of a minimum of three to four days and flexibility to support team operations, cross-functional collaboration, and business needs.
- Other duties as assigned.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Competencies.
Time Management & Organization
HR Expertise
Business Acumen
Emotional Intelligence
Relationship Management
Communication Proficiency
Ethics & Values
Critical Thinking and Evaluation
Growth Mindset
Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.
Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and scanners.
Physical Demands
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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets, and bend or stand on a stool as necessary.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
Travel
Some travel is required to perform routine inspections across multiple physical locations, ensuring compliance with organizational standards, policies, and applicable federal, state, and local laws. This is a regular and expected responsibility of the position.
Remote Work
Hybrid position: The Generalist is expected to be onsite daily for the first month, with a minimum of three to four days on-site per week thereafter, and as needed. This may change based on business needs. The position may transition to fully on-site work with or without prior notice.
On-site presence may need to be flexible, particularly during ongoing investigations, employee relations matters, or project-driven priorities. The HR Generalist is expected to adjust their schedule accordingly to support critical business functions and ensure the timely resolution of key issues.
Required Education and Experience
- At least 2 years of experience in a similar human resources position. Specific experience relating to leave administration, investigations, workers' compensation, and employee relations required.
- PHR/SPHR, or SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) credential preferred.
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in HRM, Business, Psychology, or equivalent, preferred.
Required Knowledge/Skills/Position Qualifications
- Broad knowledge and experience in employment law, worker’s compensation, investigations, employee relations, safety, and training.
- Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment. Must include Excel and demonstrated ability in managing an HRIS database and other HR related software.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate and explain complex benefits, legal, and personnel issues with clarity, tact, and diplomacy.
- Excellent interpersonal and coaching skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and effectively handle highly sensitive and personal information with sound judgment, tact, and discretion.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills with an aptitude in problem-solving using critical thinking.
- Curious mindset that proactively identifies areas for opportunity and continuous improvement.
- Demonstrated record as a successful team player, including the ability to develop and maintain a goal-oriented, positive attitude throughout the organization; must be able to interface equally well with the Board of Directors, management, employees, and the general DWC community.
- Cultural humility. Must demonstrate understanding, sensitivity, and appreciation for the diverse socioeconomic, ethnic, cultural, disability, religious backgrounds, and sexual orientations within the DWC community.
- Must be a CA resident and live no more than 80 miles from DWC; must be available for in-person meetings at DWC.
- Must provide documentation of negative TB test results within the last twelve months, on the first day of hire.
Pay Range
$62,000-$72,000/yearly
Work Authorization/Security Clearance (if applicable)
Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. DWC does not sponsor employment visas, such as H-1B.
Fair Chance Act Statement
Downtown Women’s Center will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Downtown Women’s Center is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the Civil Rights Department Fair Chance Act webpage.
Downtown Women’s Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants and actively seeks candidates who reflect the rich diversity of the communities that we serve. We are committed to a work environment that embraces and promotes individuality and inclusion. We believe that diversity and inclusion of varied perspectives, backgrounds, and life experiences are essential to our organization’s effectiveness, and allow us to serve our clients in the respectful, responsive, and understanding way that they deserve. We define diversity in broad terms to include race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental or physical disability, marital status, pregnancy, military and veteran status, medical condition, geography, socio-economic status, and other unique attributes that make us who we are.
Downtown Women’s Center complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
