Human Resources Generalist

The Human Resources Generalist supports the museum's mission by providing comprehensive, employee-centered human resource services across the organization. The HR Generalist serves as a key resource to employees and managers and helps foster a respectful, inclusive, collaborative, and equitable workplace.

Working in a nonprofit cultural institution with both union-represented and non-union employees, the Human Resources Generalist administers a broad range of HR functions, including employee relations, labor relations support, recruitment and onboarding, benefits and leave administration, performance management, HR compliance, training, payroll support and HRIS administration.

The ideal candidate is a thoughtful and trusted HR professional with strong judgment and confidentiality, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to balance organizational needs, employee advocacy, legal compliance, and collective bargaining agreement requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Employee Relations and Labor Relations

• Serve as a primary point of contact for employees and supervisors regarding HR policies, workplace concerns, and employment-related questions.
• Provide guidance to managers and employees on the interpretation and application of museum policies, procedures, and applicable employment laws.
• Support the administration and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements and help ensure consistent application of contractual provisions.
• Assist with union-management communications, meetings, grievance administration, investigations, disciplinary matters, and other labor relations activities, as assigned.
• Maintain appropriate documentation related to employee relations and labor matters.
• Partner with HR leadership and management to address workplace concerns fairly, consistently, and in a timely manner.
• Support a positive labor-management relationship grounded in respect, communication, and adherence to collective bargaining obligations.

Recruitment and Onboarding

• Coordinate the full recruitment process, including posting positions, screening applications, scheduling interviews, communicating with candidates, conducting reference checks, and preparing employment-related documentation.
• Partner with hiring managers to develop accurate job descriptions and identify effective recruitment strategies.
• Support equitable and inclusive hiring practices.
• Coordinate new employee onboarding and orientation and ensure completion of required employment documentation and training.
• Maintain recruitment and personnel records in accordance with applicable requirements.

Benefits, Leave, and Employee Administration

• Assist employees with questions regarding benefits, eligibility, enrollment, and life events.
• Administer or support administration of leaves of absence, including family and medical leave, disability, workers' compensation, and other applicable leaves.
• Coordinate with benefits providers, payroll, and third-party administrators as needed.
• Maintain accurate employee records and ensure confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Support HR processes related to compensation changes, employment status changes, separations, and other employee lifecycle events.

Performance Management and Training

• Support the museum's performance management process, including tracking reviews, providing guidance to managers, and maintaining appropriate documentation.
• Assist with employee development, training, and professional development initiatives.
• Coordinate required compliance and workplace training.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen manager capability, employee engagement, communication, and workplace culture.

HR Compliance and Administration

• Help ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, as well as applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• Maintain HR policies, procedures, forms, personnel files, and required employment records.
• Assist with investigations and document findings and follow-up actions as appropriate.
• Support preparation of HR reports, audits, and compliance-related filings.
• Maintain and improve HR systems and processes to promote accuracy, efficiency, consistency, and a positive employee experience.
• Protect confidential employee, organizational, and labor relations information and exercise sound professional judgment.

Other Responsibilities

• Participate in cross-functional initiatives that support the museum's strategic goals and organizational culture.
• Provide general HR support for employees across a variety of museum functions, which may include curatorial, education, visitor services, development, collections, facilities, security, retail, and administrative teams.
• The Human Resource Generalist may supervise a Volunteer Coordinator based on the needs of the organization.
• Participate in staff meetings, daily huddles, and staff trainings
• Contribute to a professional and motivational work environment by encouraging teamwork and providing positive reinforcement to team members when a job is well done.
• Support special events, evening or weekend programming, and museum-wide initiatives as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; PHR/SHRM certifications preferred
• Minimum of five years of progressive HR generalist experience
• Strong ability for detail-oriented and accurate work
• Experience with HRIS systems
• Knowledge of labor relations and unionized environments
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgement, maintain composure, and manage sensitive situations with discretion
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate, prevent, identify, and resolve workplace issues
• Strong listening skills with the ability to assess concerns and escalate appropriately to senior leadership
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with diverse stakeholders
• Commitment to confidentiality, equity, and inclusive workplace practices
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings, weekends, or holidays based on the museum needs
• Pass CORI, SORI, and background checks according to EcoTarium’s guidelines