Human Resources Generalist

Position Purpose The Human Resources Generalist serves as SAEM’s primary internal human resources resource, providing hands-on HR support, guidance, and coordination across the organization. This part-time position supports the full employee lifecycle and helps ensure consistent, effective, and compliant HR practices that support SAEM’s employees, culture, and organizational priorities. Working closely with organizational leadership and supervisors, the Human Resources Generalist supports employee relations, performance management, recruitment and onboarding, benefits and compensation, policies and compliance, employee development, and workforce planning. The position also helps identify and coordinate appropriate external resources when specialized expertise or additional support is needed. Essential ResponsibilitiesEmployee Relations & Performance Serve as a trusted HR resource for employees, supervisors, and organizational leadership. Provide guidance, tools, and resources to supervisors on employee relations, performance expectations, feedback, workplace concerns, and corrective actions. Support performance management processes, including goal setting, performance reviews, development plans, and performance improvement plans. Assist with employee concerns and workplace matters, helping ensure issues are addressed consistently, appropriately, and with proper documentation. Identify and recommend appropriate training, coaching, or outside resources when additional support is needed. Handle sensitive employee matters with sound judgment, professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality. Recruitment, Onboarding & Employee Development Coordinate recruitment and hiring activities, including job postings, candidate screening, interviews, reference checks, and offer development. Coordinate new employee onboarding and orientation and provide supervisors with resources to support successful onboarding. Coordinate employee offboarding and exit interviews and identify trends or opportunities for improvement. Identify and coordinate employee training and professional development opportunities based on individual and organizational needs. Maintain job descriptions and support leadership with role clarity, staffing needs, workforce planning, and succession planning as appropriate. Compensation, Benefits & HR Administration Support the administration of employee benefits, annual enrollment, compensation, and other employee programs. Respond to employee questions and connect staff with appropriate benefits, insurance, or other resources as needed. Maintain accurate and confidential employee records, HR documentation, and employment-related information. Coordinate employee changes with Finance and other staff as needed to support payroll and benefits administration. Maintain and recommend updates to the employee handbook, HR policies, procedures, forms, and related resources. Support compensation and benefits benchmarking to help inform leadership decisions and promote internal equity and market competitiveness. Compliance, Culture & Organizational Support Maintain awareness of employment requirements and HR best practices and recommend updates to policies and practices as needed. Help ensure HR policies and employment practices are applied consistently throughout the organization. Identify potential HR concerns or risks and bring them to leadership’s attention, including identifying appropriate outside resources when specialized expertise is needed. Support employee engagement, recognition, communication, and other initiatives that contribute to a positive and productive workplace culture. Gather and share relevant employee feedback and workforce trends to help inform organizational decisions. HR Operations & Continuous Improvement Review HR processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and the employee experience. Support organizational changes, including new technology, processes, staffing structures, and evolving ways of working. Leverage technology, automation, AI, data, and evolving HR practices to improve HR processes and services. Maintain relevant HR information and metrics to identify trends and support leadership decision-making. Support special projects and other organizational initiatives as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field preferred. Five to seven years of progressive human resources experience, including employee relations and providing HR guidance to managers and supervisors. Experience supporting a broad range of HR functions, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, benefits administration, and HR policies and procedures. Experience working independently in a small or mid-sized organization is preferred. SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or comparable human resources certification preferred. Strong working knowledge of HR practices and applicable employment requirements. Strong judgment and discretion when handling confidential and sensitive employee matters. Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across the organization. Ability to provide practical HR guidance while recognizing when additional expertise or resources are needed. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a part-time role. Comfortable using technology, data, AI, and evolving tools to improve processes and organizational effectiveness. Our Workplace At SAEM, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you are excited about this role or about SAEM’s mission and vision, we encourage you to apply, even if your experience does not perfectly meet the requirements. You just may be the right candidate for this or other future positions. We Offer a Comprehensive Benefits Package! At SAEM we take care of our most valuable resource: our employees! To that end, SAEM offers a full and comprehensive benefits package that has you in mind. Time Off Benefits Approx. 20 hour work week Generous vacation, personal, and sick time Paid holiday time off (including full Winter Break between Christmas and New Year’s Day) Work from Home Fridays, plus additional day Monday-Wednesday Health and Wellness Platinum health insurance, with 100% premiums covered for the employee Dental insurance Vision insurance Life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, with 100% premiums covered Short- and long-term disability insurance, with 100% premiums covered Flexible spending account, including commuter plan Employee assistance program Access to on-site fitness center In-office massage and meditation room Sit/stand desks for everyone Saving for Your Future 403b retirement plan Annual employer contribution Professional Development Educational Assistance Program Senior Promotion Plan Paid memberships in professional organizations Employer-paid continuing education courses Other Office is accessible by public transportation (Pace 223, 221, 250 and CTA Blue Line) Neat-casual dress code On-site cafeteria and in-office kitchen and dining area Fun all-staff social events, outings, catered lunches, and other activities throughout the year Pay: $100,000.00 per year Benefits 401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Parental leave Professional development assistance Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance Work Location: Hybrid remote in Des Plaines, IL 60018