HR Generalist

Overview and Responsibilities

Shape the future of Saint Mary's University: Be Part of Our Visionary HR Team

Join our university as a Human Resources Generalist and be a vital force in fostering a thriving academic community. As a key member of the HR department, you will play a crucial role in supporting the diverse needs of our academic community, guided by the principles of faith, service, and community.

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is seeking candidates who are eager to contribute to its Lasallian Catholic mission of awakening, nurturing, and empowering learners to ethical lives of service and leadership. We invite individuals to help transform lives through education, inspired by the Catholic Intellectual Tradition's quest to understand the human experience through faith and reason and its embrace of all who are dedicated to learning from one another through authentic conversations in search of the truth. We are especially interested in and give preference to candidates who demonstrate a vision to create and nurture initiatives that will advance our mission within the scope of their duties and who will foster a culture of dialogue that, with respect for all people, supports the search for meaning and purpose in pursuit of excellence.

Job Summary

As a Human Resources Generalist, you won't just be managing policies and procedures. You'll be weaving the threads of our institution's culture, guiding individuals toward their fullest potential. Your passion for people and innovative problem-solving skills will set the stage for a thriving academic environment. As a Human Resources Generalist, you will be the architect of this transformative journey, forging connections, nurturing growth, and igniting inspiration throughout our organization.

Salary Range: $60k - $68k

Benefits You Will Enjoy

• Medical, Dental, and Vision packages to fit your needs
• Two Medical Plan Options: Traditional plan or HDHP with a health saving account and employer contribution
• Flexible Spending Account / Limited Purpose Health FSA
• Basic and Voluntary Life and AD&D
• Long-Term Disability
• Tuition Remission for employees, their spouses and their dependent children
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Additional voluntary supplemental insurance plans
• Traditional Pension Plan and 403(b) Retirement Plan

What You'll Do

• Embody Our Heritage: Infuse our Lasallian Catholic values into HR policies and practices, creating an environment where each individual's uniqueness contributes to collective growth.
• Builder of Culture: Cultivate an environment where growth, human dignity, and inclusivity strive by shaping HR policies and practices that reflect our values, while fostering a strong sense of belonging, community and share purpose.
• Change Catalyst : Lead transformative HR projects, igniting innovation, diversity, and progress while staying true to our Lasallian values.
• Talent Nurturer: Assist in recruitment, selecting candidates who resonate with our values of faith, service, and community while coordinating a welcoming and effective onboarding experience that fosters engagement, connection, and long-term success within the University community.
• Benefits Enrichment: Administer benefits that reflect our commitment to the well-being and vitality of our team, in alignment with our Lasallian ethos.
• Ethics Steward: Navigate employment laws with integrity, ensuring our practices align with our Lasallian Catholic values of justice and fairness.
• Champion of Learning: Foster a culture of continuous self-improvement, echoing the ethos of St. John Baptist de La Salle.
• Mediator of Unity: Resolve conflicts with empathy and justice, cultivating an environment of unity and inclusivity.
• Insightful Storyteller: Craft compelling HR reports that unveil hidden insights, guiding strategic decisions that propel us forward.
• Engagement Enthusiast: Devise initiatives that elevate spirits and foster engagement, embodying the spirit of community and service.

Why Saint Mary's

Inspirational Setting: Be part of an academic community that nurtures growth, creativity, and innovation while honoring our Lasallian Catholic heritage.

Growth & Learning : Enjoy a continuous learning culture that hones your skills and aligns with our heritage of self-improvement.

Impactful Work: Your HR expertise will shape the careers of educators who, in turn, shape countless futures with a strong sense of faith and service.

Inclusive Community: Join a diverse and inclusive family where every voice matters, guided by the Lasallian principles of community and unity.

Thrive: Be the best version of yourself and embrace opportunities for professional advancement.

Where You'll Be Located

Winona (preferred) or Minneapolis, MN (relocation assistance available)

Qualifications

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, or Business Administration or Business Management with a concentration in Human Resources. A Master's degree in Human Resources Management may be accepted in lieu of the Human Resources concentration requirement for the business degrees.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressive experience as an HR Generalist, HR Business Partner, or Human Resources Manager. Qualifying experience must include broad-based responsibility across multiple human resources functions and the exercise of independent judgment and decision-making. Experience in primarily administrative, clerical, coordination, or specialist-level roles will not satisfy this requirement.

Candidates who do not possess the required education and minimum experience qualifications will not be considered for employment.

Required Knowledge

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state employment laws, with the ability to independently interpret and apply regulations related to employment, compensation, leave administration, workplace accommodations, employee relations, and policy compliance.
• Working knowledge of full-cycle recruitment processes, including job postings, candidate sourcing, interviewing, applicant assessment, offer administration, pre-employment procedures, and onboarding.
• Comprehensive knowledge of employee benefits administration, including enrollment, life event changes, eligibility determinations, vendor coordination, and employee education regarding benefit offerings.
• Working knowledge of Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), including maintaining accurate employee records, processing personnel transactions, generating reports, and analyzing workforce data.
• Comprehensive knowledge of leave administration, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, workers' compensation leave, and other protected leaves, while ensuring regulatory compliance and maintaining appropriate documentation.
• Comprehensive knowledge of workplace investigations and employee relations, including resolving workplace issues, providing guidance to managers on performance, conduct, workplace conflict, and corrective action, and advising managers on routine personnel matters.
• Foundational knowledge of workers' compensation administration, including incident reporting, claims coordination, return-to-work planning, and collaboration with third-party administrators and insurance carriers.
• Foundational knowledge of coaching supervisors and managers on performance management practices, including goal setting, disciplinary processes, performance evaluations, and employee development strategies.

Knowledge Level Definitions

• Foundational Knowledge - I possess basic knowledge of the subject area and typically require guidance when applying it.
• Working Knowledge - I can independently perform routine work and apply standard policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Comprehensive Knowledge - I independently manage complex situations, interpret regulations, provide guidance to others, and serve as a resource.
• Expert Knowledge - I am recognized as a subject matter expert, provide strategic leadership, develop programs and policies, and advise senior leadership.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex personnel matters, identify risks, and recommend practical, legally compliant solutions.
• Advanced interpersonal, written, and verbal communication, with the ability to build trust, exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and communicate effectively with employees at all organizational levels.
• Advanced ability to manage multiple priorities independently, demonstrating exceptional attention to detail, and consistently meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Advanced customer service skills, with the ability to deliver customer-focused service, foster collaboration, and build productive working relationships across departments and organizational levels.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, with the ability to prepare reports, analyze workforce data, and develop presentations and training materials.

Proficient Skills and Abilities Definition

• Performs routine and moderately complex tasks independently.
• Consistently applies the skill with accuracy and effectiveness.
• Requires limited guidance for unusual situations.
• Demonstrates reliability and sound judgment.

Advanced Skills and Abilities Definition

• Demonstrates a high degree of competence and effectiveness.
• Handles complex situations independently.
• Adapts approaches to meet changing circumstances.
• Coaches and assists others in skill application.
• Produces consistently high-quality outcomes.

Choose Our Visionary Path

Are you ready to be the driving force behind a transformative higher education experience?

If your heart beats for reshaping higher education through visionary HR practices, anchored in the values of our Lasallian Catholic heritage, we invite you to embrace this exceptional journey. Seize this opportunity to be a catalyst for positive change and growth in our institution, guided by the spirit of St. John Baptist de La Salle. Apply now to embark on an exciting journey of transformation and impact, steeped in our rich heritage.

Physical Demands

• Sedentary work. Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Physical Hazards - Health and Safety Concerns

• General office environments
• Ergonomics
• Driving

Application Requirements

Apply online at and include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota believes inclusion and human dignity contributes to a robust academic and work environment and is critical to achieving the University's mission in an increasingly diverse society. Individuals with expertise and diverse skills from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The successful candidate must support, respect, and advance the mission of Saint Mary's University as a Lasallian Catholic institution.

Saint Mary's offers a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending, retirement pension plan, and both undergraduate and graduate tuition remission plans.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.