Human Resources Generalist

Position Summary

The HR Generalist is responsible for supporting full-cycle recruitment and employee benefits administration which includes leaves of absence, workers' compensation, ADA/reasonable accommodations, and unemployment claims. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws while delivering exceptional service to employees, managers, and candidates throughout the employee lifecycle. The HR Generalist partners closely with HR team members, hiring managers, benefit providers, legal counsel, and other stakeholders to foster a positive workplace culture and support the University's mission of health equity and academic excellence.

This position requires on-site work 5 days per week at the Kenmore location.

Essential Responsibilities

Essential Job Duties

Talent Acquisition & Recruitment

• Administer the full life cycle recruitment process in accordance with applicable employment laws, regulations, equal opportunity requirements, and best practices to support the University's initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with hiring managers to understand their recruitment needs; create job postings, provide guidance on best practices, and proactively identify talent needs.
• Create and maintain all recruitment-related documents, including job descriptions, job advertisements, interview questions/scorecards, offer letters, and offer extensions.
• Plan and implement recruitment marketing campaigns and employer branding strategies to attract high-quality candidates.
• Review and screen resumes and applications; conduct phone screens and interviews; assess candidate qualifications and fit for the role and University culture.
• Coordinate and schedule interviews with candidates and hiring managers/teams; facilitates the selection process, including reference checks and background checks.
• Provide a positive and professional candidate experience throughout the recruitment process, including timely communication, feedback, and updates.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date recruitment records and data; complete required compliance reporting, including EEO-1 filings, in accordance with applicable federal and state regulations.
• Track and analyze recruitment metrics such as application volumes, conversion rates, and demographic trends to assess the effectiveness of recruitment strategies and inform future initiatives.
• Prepare regular reports and presentations summarizing recruitment activities, outcomes, and recommendations for university leadership and stakeholders.
• Stay updated on industry trends and best practices related to recruitment and onboarding; recommend process improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Benefits, Leave, & Compliance Administration

• Coordinate and administer all employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, retirement plans, and voluntary benefits.
• Manage the full benefit enrolment lifecycle - new hire, open enrolment, life status changes, and terminations - including employee communications, carrier submissions, and eligibility reporting.
• Lead open enrolment planning and execution, including communications strategy and employee education.
• Administer HRIS and benefits platforms; conducts periodic audits to ensure data accuracy and compliance; manages vendor relationships, billing reconciliation, and required compliance filings (ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA).
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource for employees and managers on plan options, and claims processes, resolves benefits-related inquiries in coordination with providers.
• Administer leave of absence, workers' compensation, ADA/reasonable accommodations, and unemployment claims in compliance with federal, state, and local laws (FMLA, ADA, FEHA); maintain accurate records and coordinates with employees, managers, vendors, and legal counsel as needed.
• Manage 403(b) retirement plan program and coordinates with relevant vendors.
• Coordinate with Payroll on benefit-related pay matters and processes the employee tuition reimbursement program.

Other Responsibilities

• Assist the HR team with revisions to existing benefits, employment policies, and programs.
• Assist the HR team with streamlining processes, employee self-service, and automation.
• Coordinate with Payroll on benefit-related pay matters, including leave pay, benefit deduction changes, and periodic benefit look-back reviews to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• May serve on select University committees.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of full-cycle recruitment tools and techniques, including social media, job boards, and applicant tracking systems.
• Knowledge of employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, retirement plans, life insurance, and other voluntary benefits.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and compliance requirements related to benefits, leave of absence, workers' compensation, ADA/reasonable accommodations, and unemployment insurance, including FMLA, ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, COBRA, ADA, FEHA, and applicable state UI laws.
• Familiarity with HR and benefits administration systems, applicant tracking systems, and HRIS software.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data management and recordkeeping.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written), with the ability to interact effectively and professionally with employees at all levels, candidates, and vendors.
• Ability to create and implement sourcing strategies for a variety of roles.
• Ability to handle confidential information and maintain a high level of professionalism and discretion.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Problem-solving and analytical skills to address HR-related inquiries and issues.
• Proactive and independent with the ability to take initiative and recommend process improvements.
• High proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint) and HRIS Paycom software.

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of progressive HR experience, with demonstrated experience in both recruiting and benefits/leave administration.
• 2-4 years of full-cycle recruitment experience.
• At least 2 years of experience administering benefits and leaves of absence.
• Multi-state leave administration experience (preferred).
• Ability to communicate effectively with vendors and stakeholders.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field, or equivalent work experience, required.
• SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification credential (preferred).
• SHRM Talent Acquisition Specialty Credential (a plus).
• Professional certifications, such as CBP, CEBS, or PHR (preferred).
• Knowledge of California employee benefits and applicable laws (preferred).

Benefits:

All regular employees (faculty and staff) who work at least 20 hours a week in a permanent position are full benefits eligible. These employees are eligible for health care benefits, retirement, flexible spending account plans, supplemental insurance, free tuition credits, and all paid leaves. Eligibility for the tuition credit benefits starts after 12 months of continuous employment. To learn more details, visit our benefits page.

Supplemental Information:

Bastyr University believes that inclusive diversity is essential for achieving academic excellence and creating a profoundly enriching university experience. Our faculty and staff are committed to achieving our mission by educating students to be future leaders that bring the natural health arts and sciences to people from all backgrounds. Promoting an educational environment that allows students, faculty and staff to develop their talents while experiencing a sense of community, we expect campus members to engage in respectful communication, behaviors and thoughtful self-reflection, increase their understanding of cultures and empower people who are disenfranchised, marginalized or oppressed. In so doing, the University pledges to prepare our students (and support faculty and staff) to recognize and appropriately respond to health inequities that affect multiple communities. This involves infusing DEI knowledge, skills, and practices in all academic programs, clinical training and patient services. In all, Bastyr University is dedicated to the welfare of our students and patients as well as to promoting equal opportunity and access in education and health care.

In alignment with Bastyr's DEI commitment, applications from members of underrepresented groups are encouraged.

Bastyr University does not discriminate against any person in matters of employment, application for employment, student or applicant for admission, or participation in our programs or benefits on the basis of the following protected classes: ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, religion (includes religious dress and grooming practices), sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), ethnic or national origin (includes language use and possession of a driver's license issued to persons unable to prove their presence in the United States is authorized under federal law), age (40 and above), disability (mental and physical, including HIV and AIDS), marital status, genetic information, medical condition (genetic characteristics, cancer or a record or history of cancer), veteran or military status or any other protected category under applicable local, state or federal law. Our programs, services and facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Please don't hesitate to contact hr@bastyr.edu to request or discuss a special accommodation due to a disability.