Human Resources Generalist

Human Resources Generalist Leave Administration and Recruiting SupportThis Human Resources Generalist role focuses primarily on leave administration while providing broader support across HR operations and recruiting. You will review and organize active leave cases, improve tracking and documentation processes, assist with HR data and records, and support candidate screening and interview coordination. This is a hands-on position within a lean HR team where you will partner closely with HR leadership, take ownership of key processes, and help shape the future of the HR function during a critical period of transition.Responsibilities:Review approximately 35 active leave cases on an ongoing basis and determine the status of each case.Organize leave documentation, identify gaps in paperwork and approvals, and ensure all required forms are complete and accurate.Maintain leave files and ensure compliance with established leave processes and policies.Process new leave requests, including intake, documentation, and communication with employees and stakeholders.Track leave balances, deadlines, certifications, and required actions to ensure timely follow-up and adherence to regulations.Improve and maintain leave tracking spreadsheets and reporting tools to enhance visibility and accuracy.Support the transition from Lincoln-administered Paid Leave Oregon processes back to the State program, ensuring a smooth handoff and consistent procedures.Create better visibility into where employees are within the leave process so HR leadership and stakeholders can quickly understand case status.Support general HR administrative activities, including documentation and records management.Assist with maintaining accurate employee information and HR data in systems and tracking tools.Contribute to process improvements across HR operations, focusing on efficiency, consistency, and data integrity.Conduct candidate phone screens to assess qualifications, experience, and alignment with hiring requirements.Evaluate candidate backgrounds against role-specific criteria and provide clear feedback to HR leadership.Coordinate candidate interviews, including scheduling, communication, and follow-up with candidates and interviewers.Partner with HR leadership on recruiting activities during periods of reduced staffing, acting as a key extension of the HR team.Collaborate with HR leadership to identify opportunities for process automation and improved workflows in leave management and HR operations.Maintain a high level of organization and follow-through across leave administration, recruiting coordination, and HR operational priorities.Essential Skills:Hands-on leave administration experience managing multiple concurrent cases.Recent, practical experience with FMLA, OFLA, and Paid Leave Oregon (PLO).Strong understanding of leave documentation requirements, compliance considerations, and end-to-end leave processes.Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing competing priorities.Intermediate Excel skills, including experience using formulas, VLOOKUPs, and maintaining tracking spreadsheets.Demonstrated ability to improve and maintain leave tracking tools and reporting mechanisms.Strong organizational skills with the ability to create structure and maintain accurate records.Effective problem-solving abilities, particularly in resolving documentation gaps and process issues.Experience conducting candidate phone screens and evaluating candidate fit based on hiring requirements.Solid HR background with exposure to core HR operations and administrative processes.Additional Skills & Qualifications:HR Generalist experience across multiple areas of Human Resources.Leave of Absence Specialist experience or deep expertise in leave management.Experience creating or improving leave tracking systems to enhance visibility and accuracy.Experience with Excel-based process improvement, including building or refining tracking tools and reports.Exposure to Power Automate or other workflow automation tools to streamline HR and leave processes.Familiarity with process automation concepts and tools, including chatGPT, for improving HR efficiency and documentation.HRIS experience, including maintaining employee data and supporting HR reporting.Exposure to employee relations matters and the ability to support HR leadership in addressing employee issues.Comfort working in a lean HR team environment and partnering closely with HR leadership.Work Environment:This role operates in a fast-paced, hands-on HR environment supporting approximately 280 employees. You will focus heavily on leave administration, process improvement, recruiting support, and general HR operations during a period of staffing transition. The position reports directly to the Director of Human Resources and functions as a key extension of the HR team, working closely with HR leadership and being trusted to independently manage leave administration, recruiting coordination, and operational HR priorities. The role is primarily onsite, especially during onboarding and training, to ensure strong collaboration and a deep understanding of processes. After you have learned the workflows, demonstrated the ability to operate independently, and effectively managed your workload with minimal oversight, hybrid flexibility may be considered based on business needs. The environment values ownership, problem-solving, creating structure, and continuous improvement, offering the opportunity to make an immediate impact and gain exposure to multiple areas of Human Resources.Job Type & Location:This is a Contract position based out of Salem, OR.Pay and Benefits:The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $40.86/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)