HR Specialist

HR Specialist

Hamden, CT | Full-Time, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm | Exempt

Support People. Strengthen Culture. Drive Excellence.

The Children's Center of Hamden is seeking a detail-oriented HR Specialist. This key role supports the efficiency and effectiveness of HR operations and the organization.

Who We Are:

For more than 190 years, The Children's Center of Hamden has supported children and families through times of need. Today, we act as a comprehensive behavioral health and educational organization serving communities across Connecticut.

We offer a continuum of behavioral health, psychiatric, and special education services that guide vulnerable youth safely back to their homes, schools, and communities.

Our campus includes a residential program, a K-12 special education school, Outpatient clinic, Extended Day Treatment program and a Quality Parenting Center.

Why Join The Children's Center?

Supportive, Mission-Driven Culture - We are a collaborative, mission-driven team! Every staff member is provided with the tools, training, and guidance to expand their knowledge, skills and abilities while making a meaningful impact on youth and their families.

Quality and Affordable Benefits Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, employee assistance program, and wellness programs. On one of our medical plan options, The Children's Center covers 90% of the employee premium and contributes generously to the Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).

Generous Paid Time Off Vacation, sick, personal days, and 12 paid holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving.

Retirement Saving Plan - We offer a 401(k) plan with employer contribution to help you build financial stability for the future.

Education Assistance & CEU Accredited Training - Interest-free tuition loans, ongoing CEU-accredited training, and opportunities for career advancement.

What You'll Do

As part of the HR Team, you will provide outstanding service to all employees by performing the following duties:

• Ensure HRIS data accuracy; pull reports and provide user support to the HR team and managers; ensure the organization is audit ready at all times.
• Become subject matter expert for ADP Workforce Now/ADP Workforce Manager.
• Assist with open enrollment event to ensure all staff meet the enrollment deadline.
• Serve as first point of contact for benefit administration; communicate agency benefit options to employees.
• Handle entire leave of absence administration process including CT FMLA, CT Paid Leave, Short-Term Disability, and personal leaves of absence.
• Actively track compliance for continued employment requirements, including professional licenses, credentialing, privileging, and required training renewals.
• Process schedule changes and employee changes in status
• Administer off-boarding process
• Handle HR compliance reporting throughout the year and at year end
• Assist with employee relations
• Collaborate with HR team members on special projects and other duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

• Customer service mindset, collaborative work style, personal accountability and willingness to grow in the position.
• Ability to stay organized and effective in a fast-paced environment.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in HR with strong HRIS skills, preferably ADP.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field preferred.
• Experience in nonprofit education, behavioral health, and human service settings strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of employment law, HR compliance, benefits, and leave administration.
• Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• Able to maintain appropriate personal boundaries with young people and families served on campus.

The Children's Center of Hamden is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.