HR Generalist

At The Rapid, we are committed to connecting our community through safe, reliable, and innovative transportation services. We recognize that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are dedicated to fostering a positive workplace culture where employees can grow, contribute, and thrive.

We are seeking a Human Resources Generalist to serve as a strategic business partner supporting employees and leaders across the organization. This role provides broad human resources support throughout the employee lifecycle and plays a key role in recruitment, employee relations, benefits administration, leave management, payroll, compliance, and workforce engagement.

This is an on-site position based in Grand Rapids Michigan

POSITION SUMMARY

The HR Generalist is a strategic business partner responsible for supporting and administering human resources functions across the full employee lifecycle for both union and non-union employees. This includes recruitment, benefits and payroll administration, employee relations, leave management, performance management support, culture and engagement and offboarding.

The HR Generalist serves as a key resource to their assigned department employees and managers, providing guidance on policies, procedures, and employment-related matters while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This role manages programs such as benefits, FMLA, workers' compensation, and disability, while also leading full-cycle recruiting efforts to meet organizational staffing needs.

This position ensures the accuracy and integrity of HRIS data, payroll inputs, and employee records, and contributes to a positive employee experience by delivering responsive, consistent, and compliant HR services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Responsible for programs such as but not limited to FMLA, ADA, STD/LTD, Workers' Compensation / Light Duty assignments and monitors full life cycle of employee participation/eligibility.
• Executes full-cycle recruiting efforts including job postings, candidate sourcing, screening, interviewing, selection, and onboarding for union and non-union positions.
• Partners with hiring managers to understand workforce needs, develop job postings, and ensure an efficient and compliant hiring process.
• Coordinates and participates in interviews, maintains applicant tracking records, and ensures a positive candidate experience throughout the recruitment process.
• Administers the HRIS platform including maintaining and updating employment files, participating in application upgrades, creating/updating system payroll and benefit programming.
• Ensures accurate and timely payroll related inputs and processing, including but not limited to direct deposits, tax withholding, garnishments, and deductions. Verify all payroll data in alignment with HRIS records and is compliant with relevant laws and regulations.
• Works closely with the finance and HR team members to address payroll process related errors, discrepancies, resolve employee payroll inquiries, and ensure confidentiality and accuracy in payroll processing.
• Responsible for day-to-day employee insurance, pension, and retirement plan administration; coordinating and communicating with insurance brokers and plan carriers and our employees/retirees.
• Track HRIS activity regarding time & attendance, full time and part time leave accruals/paid time off. Reports violations and/or concerns to The Manager of Human Resources.
• Ensures compliance with federal and state laws, including reporting requirements. Leads the planning and work to rectify any identified issues or errors.
• Completes any documentation and information requests related to administrative employment related proceedings. Serves as employer representative/witness in matters of unemployment hearings, arbitrations, and workers' compensation.
• Assists in developing, documenting and implementing human resources policies and procedures.
• Assists in receiving EEO complaints.
• Assists with routine review of updating and maintaining job descriptions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Statement(s)

• Customer Service Excellence - Provides timely, accurate, and professional HR service to employees, candidates, and managers while maintaining responsiveness, confidentiality, and a positive service experience.
• Safety and Reliability - Supports a safe and compliant workplace by ensuring HR practices are performed accurately, consistently, and in alignment with organizational policies and regulatory requirements.
• Collaboration and Partnership - Builds effective working relationships across the organization and works collaboratively to support HR initiatives, workforce needs, and issue resolution.
• Accountability & Responsibility - Demonstrates ownership of HR responsibilities with a focus on accuracy, follow-through, and confidentiality while meeting deadlines and expectations.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement - Identifies and supports opportunities to improve HR processes, systems, and service delivery to enhance efficiency and the employee experience.
• Community & Environmental Stewardship- Supports organizational initiatives that promote community involvement, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and responsible business practices.
• Employee Engagement & Professionalism – Promotes a positive and respectful workplace culture by supporting employee engagement initiatives, providing consistent communication, and modeling professional behavior. Assists in addressing employee concerns and contributes to a workplace environment that values respect, inclusion, and accountability.
• Adaptability & Problem Solving – Effectively manages competing priorities and responds to changing organizational needs. Uses sound judgment to troubleshoot HR-related issues, interpret policies, and develop practical solutions while maintaining compliance and fairness.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Design, Labor Relations or closely related field. PLUS three years of working experience in payroll processing, full cycle recruiting, benefit administration and/or leave administration OR;
• Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university, Plus three years of working experience in any three of the following areas: Compensation and Classification; Benefits and Insurance Administration; Retirement and Pension Plan Administration; EEO/Employee Relations, HRIS Management/Analytics; Leave Administration; Employee Engagement/Culture; Federal Drug and Alcohol Program Administration; Employee Training and Development; Organizational Design; Labor Law Compliance and Policy; Workforce Planning; OR any equivalent combination of education and experience as defined in B.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft office suite and working knowledge of HRIS systems.
• Professional Human Resource certification is preferred.