HR Generalist

HR Generalist

The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is dedicated to strengthening New York City's vibrant cultural life by providing funding and support to New York City's cultural community. This constituency represents a diverse array of organizations that are central to the life of communities in every corner of New York City. The Department of Cultural Affairs seeks to hire an experienced, talented, and highly motivated individual to serve as a Human Resources (HR) Generalist. The HR Generalist will be responsible for a variety of confidential, sensitive, and time-critical administrative and human resources functions for DCLA. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining confidentiality and exercising sound judgment.

Typical tasks will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist with the administration of assigned human resources functions, including recruitment, onboarding, classification reviews, leave and benefits administration, and coordination of employee training and professional development programs.
• Process and implement personnel and payroll transactions for new hires, rehires, transfers from other agencies, and current employees in accordance with citywide requirements, applicable policies, and procedures, utilizing City HRIS systems.
• Manage and support recruitment activities, including posting vacancies in NYCAPS and external recruitment platforms, monitoring applicant activity, and facilitating the onboarding of selected candidates in NYCAPS.
• Assist with conducting pre-employment screening interviews, reference checks, and background investigations for prospective employees.
• Conduct new employee orientations and collaborate with hiring managers to facilitate a smooth onboarding process and support the successful transition of new employees into the workplace.
• Coordinate and administer the agency's annual employee performance evaluation program, including monitoring completion, maintaining records, and following up with supervisors and managers as needed.
• Administer civil service hiring pools in accordance with agency staffing needs, civil service rules, and applicable citywide requirements; monitor list actions and appointments to ensure that all required personnel actions are completed accurately and within prescribed timeframes.
• Maintain and regularly update agency HR reports, recruitment trackers, and other HR tracking systems related to staffing, recruitment, retention, and personnel activities.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, spreadsheets, and other HR-related documentation, and assist with complex, confidential, and time-sensitive special projects and assignments.
• Monitor and maintain the HR portal to ensure that policies, forms, procedures, resources, and other employee-facing information remain accurate, current, and accessible.
• Liaise and collaborate with other City agencies on human resources, personnel, recruitment, and administrative matters, as needed.
• Respond to employee inquiries and concerns regarding HR policies, procedures, benefits, leave, payroll, recruitment, and other personnel-related matters, providing timely assistance and referring issues to the appropriate resource when necessary.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support and advance the work and objectives of the Human Resources and Administration Department.

Preferred Skills: The preferred candidate will have a working knowledge of NYC Personnel Rules and Regulations, citywide policies and procedures, and Citywide human resources and personnel systems. The successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to effectively manage and prioritize multiple assignments and competing deadlines while exercising patience, sound judgment, discretion, and the highest level of confidentiality when handling sensitive personnel matters. Strong attention to detail and the ability to adapt to changing priorities are essential. The candidate must be able to work independently with minimal supervision while also contributing effectively as a member of a collaborative team. Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills are required, as is the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, managers, and internal and external stakeholders. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, is also required.