HR Generalist (Brooklyn)

HR Generalist

For over 30 years, Gersh Autism has empowered students on the autism spectrum to reach their full potential. Serving individuals aged 5-21 across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, our network of K-12 schools provides personalized education tailored to each student's unique learning style. We offer comprehensive therapeutic services—speech, physical, occupational therapy, and more—along with vocational training for older students. Our dedicated team collaborates with families to ensure academic, social, and emotional growth, preparing students for success beyond the classroom. At Gersh Autism, we are committed to helping individuals on the autism spectrum lead fulfilling, independent lives.

Gersh Autism is seeking an experienced HR Generalist to support our Brooklyn and Long Island City school locations. This role will serve as a trusted HR resource for employees and leadership, providing hands-on support across a broad range of HR functions with a strong focus on employee relations, workplace investigations, leave administration, and HR compliance.

The HR Generalist will play a key role in supporting managers through complex employee situations, ensuring compliance with employment laws, and maintaining a positive and professional work environment for our staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary HR contact for employees and managers, providing guidance on HR policies, procedures, and workplace concerns.
• Manage employee relations matters, including performance issues, conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and terminations.
• Conduct workplace investigations involving employee complaints, policy violations, or other sensitive matters, ensuring fair and consistent processes.
• Administer and track employee leave programs, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, disability leave, and other protected leave requests.
• Partner with managers to support performance management, coaching conversations, and documentation.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Maintain and update employee records within the HRIS system and ensure accuracy of employee data.
• Support benefits administration, including employee questions, enrollment assistance, and coordination with vendors when needed.
• Assist with development and delivery of HR trainings for managers and staff, including workplace conduct, policy awareness, and compliance topics.
• Collaborate with HR leadership and recruiting teams to support onboarding, employee engagement, and retention initiatives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of HR processes and policies to better support employees and leadership

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong employee relations experience, including handling complex workplace situations and conducting investigations.
• Working knowledge of leave administration including FMLA, ADA, and related compliance requirements.
• Ability to manage confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust with employees at all levels.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to approach employee issues with fairness and sound judgment.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment supporting multiple school locations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with HRIS systems (Rippling or similar) preferred

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5–8 years of progressive HR experience, with significant focus on employee relations and leave administration.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations and supporting managers through disciplinary processes.
• Experience working in multi-site environments strongly preferred.
• Experience in education, healthcare, or mission-driven organizations is a plus

Working Conditions

• Full-time position, Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Primary work location will be onsite between our Brooklyn and Long Island City school locations, with occasional support at other sites if needed
• Physical Requirements
• Must be able to keep students safe from themselves and others and, in some cases, may need to implement CPI (therapeutic holds) procedures.
• Must be able to remove oneself from potentially harmful situations and, in some cases, be able to lift a child.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and move throughout the workday
• Ability to lift (at least 50-65 pounds), assist, and/or physically support students, which may include lifting or guiding students of varying sizes
• Ability to physically intervene when required to ensure safety (per CPI training)
• Ability to remove oneself and/or others from unsafe situations quickly
• Ability to maintain attention and focus in a dynamic, high-stimulation environment
• Ability to multi-task and shift priorities quickly
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and decision-making, particularly in high-pressure or safety-sensitive situations
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and maintain professional relationships
• Ability to perform duties under stress, including during behavioral escalations

Benefits for Full Time Employees

Gersh Autism offers a competitive compensation package, including comprehensive health and retirement benefits, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment committed to your personal and professional growth.

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k matching)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Training & Development

Salary includes base plus KRA eligibility