Human Resources Generalist - Middletown, NY at HERITAGE FINANCIAL CREDIT UNION – Middletown, New York

Description:
Join Heritage Financial Credit Union as Human Resources Generalist
Do you believe strong partnerships are the foundation of a thriving workplace?
Are you passionate about creating an environment where employees feel supported, engaged, and able to do their best work?
Do you enjoy collaborating with leaders to strengthen teams, elevate performance, and foster a positive, people-first culture?

As our Human Resources Generalist, you won’t just support HR, you’ll help drive it. In this dynamic role, you’ll be at the center of the action, keeping key processes moving, jumping in to solve challenges, and ensuring our people practices run seamlessly.

You’ll have the opportunity to make a real impact by streamlining processes, supporting meaningful initiatives, and bringing a proactive, solutions-focused approach to everything you do. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, love variety in your day, and are excited by the chance to contribute to something bigger, this role is for you.

Here's a little about us:Heritage Financial Credit Union is a member-owned financial institution that is committed to helping our members achieve their financial goals and building a stronger community. We believe that everyone deserves access to affordable financial services, and we are dedicated to providing our members with the tools and resources they need to achieve their financial dreams. Our vision is to be the leading financial institution in the communities we serve, and we are committed to creating a culture of excellence where our employees can thrive. We believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected, and where we can all work together to achieve our goals. We recognize that our employees are our most important asset, and we are committed to providing them with the training, development, and opportunities they need to succeed.
Our Core Values:Experience: Go Above Expectations; Create Positive Moments; Personally AcknowledgeService: Deliver As One Team; Stay A Step Ahead; Guide With Product ExpertiseIntegrity: Do What's Right; Speak the Truth; Own Our ActionsPeople: Grow Together; Respect Every Voice; Build Trusting Relationships; Strengthen Culture & Community
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POSITION PURPOSE

The HR Generalist serves as a key partner in supporting the Credit Union’s people strategy by delivering a broad range of human resources services. This role is responsible for administering HR programs, including employee relations, performance management, compliance, and compensation and benefits (total rewards) administration. Reporting to the HR Director, the HR Generalist works closely with leaders and employees to foster a positive, compliant, and high-performing workplace culture, ensuring alignment with the organizational goals and policies while enhancing the overall employee experience aligned to our mission, vision and core values.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Employee Relations & Performance Management

1. Serve as the primary resource for employee relations matters conducting thorough, impartial investigations, coaching managers through difficult conversations, and resolving workplace issues with fairness and consistency.
2. Support the full performance management cycle including goal-setting, mid-year check-ins, year-end reviews, and calibration sessions, ensuring alignment with organizational competencies and core values.
3. Develop manager capabilities in giving feedback, managing performance, and supporting employee growth providing coaching, tools, and frameworks.
4. Track and analyze turnover, engagement indicators, and ER trends and present findings and recommendations to the Director of HR.
5. Partner with the HR Director on complex ER matters, disciplinary actions, performance improvement plans, and terminations.

Benefits Administration & Total Rewards

1. Oversee the day-to-day management of benefits programs such as employee leaves, health insurance, dental insurance, vision plans, retirement plans, wellness programs, and other employee assistance programs.
2. Act as the lead liaison with the benefits broker and all external benefits and retirement administration vendors; coordinate service delivery, issue resolution, and contract renewals.
3. Manage annual open enrollment end-to-end: system configuration in Navigator, employee communications, informational sessions, and post-enrollment audits.
4. Process all benefit enrollments, changes, terminations, and life events within our Navigator system.
5. Support leave programs (FMLA, STD, LTD, ADA accommodations) including intake, tracking, documentation, and employee communication in partnership with the HR Director.
6. Coordinate Workers' Compensation reporting and serve as the primary administrative contact for employees and insurance partners.
7. Prepare and reconcile monthly benefits billing; analyze utilization and cost data to inform plan design recommendations to the HR Director.
8. Deliver the Benefits information session during the bi-weekly New Hire Orientations.
9. Develop communication tools and featured spotlights to enhance employee knowledge and utilization of the CU’s benefits package.

Compensation Support

1. Lead compensation benchmarking using Compease for new roles, expanded positions, and market reviews; prepare supporting analysis and documentation for HR Director review.
2. Maintain the job architecture framework job descriptions, salary grades, and pay bands ensuring accuracy, equity, and market alignment across all positions.
3. Collaborate with the Talent Acquisition Specialist to ensure offers reflect market-aligned and internally equitable compensation and flag internal equity concerns proactively.
4. Process compensation changes, merit adjustments, and promotions accurately across Compease and Paylocity.
5. Support the annual merit review cycle with data preparation, manager communications, and processing coordination.

Employee Engagement & HR Initiatives

1. Coordinate and partner with the HR Specialist on recognition programs, wellness initiatives, and employee appreciation events including logistics, communications, and effectiveness tracking.
2. Lead the development, management, and delivery of employee financial literacy programs, partnering with vendors to design engaging content and track program effectiveness.
3. Prepare communications, materials, and logistics for culture and engagement initiatives.
4. Track participation, feedback, and engagement-related data.
5. Coordinate scheduling, announcements, and distribution of program materials.
6. Identify opportunities to enhance employee engagement and provide recommendations for programs, initiatives, or process improvements.

HR Operations & Compliance

1. Manage internal e-ticket submissions for status changes, transfers or promotions.
2. Assist with internal and external audits (e.g., NCUA, compliance, benefits).
3. Maintain documentation for compliance activities such as AA and EEO reporting, COBRA notifications, SPDs.
4. Monitor and update required wage and labor law postings across all HFCU branches and offices, ensuring timely distribution and compliance.
5. Support policy updates, procedure documentation, and employee communication efforts.
6. Stay current with changes in labor and wage legislation.
7. Performing additional duties as assigned or requested to support HR department and primary back-up for HR Specialist.

Requirements:

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field (or equivalent work experience) of 5+ years in HR. SHRM-CP, CEBS, PHR SHRM-SCP a plus.

KNOWLEDGE:

Knowledge of employment laws and regulations, such as ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, FLSA. Experience with HRIS systems and benefits administration platforms. Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel for reporting and data tracking. Demonstrated attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills. This position requires that the employee gain a working knowledge of Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requirements and how they will affect their work. The employee will comply with all requirements of the BSA and cooperate with the designated BSA Officer in assuring compliance

EXPERIENCE:

• Proven experience as an HR Benefits Specialist, HR Assistant or relevant human resources/administrative position.
• Demonstrated knowledge and technical fluency with HR databases and HRIS systems (Paylocity preferred).
• Familiarity with compensation benchmarking tools and surveys and Compease (or equivalent benchmarking tool).
• Experience with benefits billing, HRIS reconciliation, and performance management platforms (Paylocity preferred).
• Success in designing and managing employee engagement programs and measuring impact.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Strong customer service orientation for supporting employees and leaders.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• HR data analytics and reporting skills, with the ability to interpret workforce data and provide actionable insights
• Excellent active listening, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy in records, reporting, and processing.
• Demonstrated knowledge utilizing MS Office suite, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and timely delivery of projects and deadlines.
• Teamwork and collaboration partnering with HR colleagues, vendors, and leaders.
• Problem-solving and initiative to identify opportunities for process improvement and employee engagement.
• Confidentiality and discretion when handling sensitive employee and compensation information.

What's in it for you?

Salary: $67,400.00 - $84,350.00 per year (depending on experience)

Benefits:

- Paid Time Off & Paid Federal Holidays

- Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance

- Employee Assistance Program

- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)/Health Savings Accounts (HSA)

- Supplement Benefits: Critical Illness Care, Identity Theft Protection, Pet Insurance, Legal Services

- BenefitsPlus+ perks program (travel, entertainment, gift cards and so much more)

- CareNet - benefits concierge service

- 401(k) with 5% Employer Match

- Educational Assistance

- Paid Time to Volunteer

- HFCU Logo-wear (that our employees wear with pride!)

Equal Opportunity Statement

Employment at our Credit Union is based upon merit, ability, and qualifications. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected status.