Job Posting: Human Resources Generalist
October 2026
The Wildlife Center of Virginia is an internationally acclaimed teaching and research hospital for wildlife and conservation medicine, located in Waynesboro, Virginia, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. The Center’s mission is to “teach the world to care about and care for wildlife and the environment.” Since its founding in 1982, the Center has cared for more than 100,000 wild animals, representing 200 species of native birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The current annual caseload averages about 4,600 patients.
The Wildlife Center has a professional staff of about 35 individuals who work together in the veterinary, outreach, operations, and advancement departments. While each of these departments carries out different functions, all staff work closely together as a team to support one another and the Center’s overall mission.
Position Description
The Human Resources Generalist is responsible for the day-to-day administration and coordination of the Wildlife Center of Virginia’s human resources functions. This position manages core HR processes throughout the employee lifecycle, including recruitment coordination, onboarding and offboarding, payroll and benefits administration, personnel records, performance review processes, employee training, and HR compliance.
Working closely with the Operations Manager and managers throughout the organization, the Human Resources Generalist serves as a resource for employees and managers, maintains effective and up-to-date HR systems and processes, anticipates recurring needs and deadlines, and identifies opportunities to improve HR practices. The position also coordinates selected organization-wide administrative processes and initiatives.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Human Resources Administration
- Manage day-to-day human resources administration, ensuring recurring responsibilities, deadlines, and employee needs are addressed accurately and on time.
- Coordinate payroll preparation, review employee timecards for accuracy, administer PTO and leave tracking, and ensure employee changes, deductions, retirement contributions, and other payroll-related information are processed accurately and on schedule.
- Administer employee benefits, including enrollment, eligibility, employee changes, annual open enrollment, and communication with employees and benefit providers.
- Maintain accurate and confidential personnel files, HR records, required training documentation, and other employment records.
- Coordinate recruitment processes in partnership with hiring managers, including job postings, applicant tracking, interview logistics, and related communications.
- Own and coordinate employee onboarding and offboarding, including required documentation, orientation, benefits information and enrollment, internal coordination, and maintenance and improvement of related processes and materials.
- Administer introductory and annual performance review processes, including launching review cycles, tracking completion, maintaining documentation, and assisting managers and employees with HR systems and procedures.
- Serve as a first point of contact for routine employee questions and concerns regarding benefits, payroll, leave, policies, procedures, and other HR matters; research questions as needed and appropriately escalate complex or sensitive matters to the Operations Manager.
- Maintain and regularly review the employee handbook, HR policies, procedures, forms, and related resources; identify needed updates and coordinate revisions with the Operations Manager.
- Monitor applicable employment requirements and HR compliance responsibilities; maintain required records, identify potential gaps or needed changes, and bring recommendations to the Operations Manager.
- Coordinate HR-related employee training and informational sessions, including benefits, retirement, policies, and required workplace training, working with external providers or other staff as appropriate.
- Coordinate workers’ compensation reporting and related documentation.
- Maintain the HR calendar and proactively manage recurring deadlines, reporting requirements, enrollments, trainings, reviews, and other HR processes.
- Maintain and administer HR-related systems, including Paycor, and assist employees and managers with effective use of those systems.
- Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, tools, documentation, and communications to increase consistency, efficiency, and clarity.
- Assist with employee relations matters, including responding to workplace concerns, supporting conflict resolution efforts, interpreting policies, and escalating sensitive issues to the Operations Manager as appropriate.
Organizational Administration & Support
- Coordinate and facilitate the Center’s DEIA Committee, working with committee members and organizational leadership to establish priorities, advance meaningful initiatives, and ensure follow-through on identified goals and action items.
- Work with the Operations Manager, organizational leadership, and other staff to coordinate employee recognition, appreciation, and workplace-culture initiatives.
- Coordinate recurring organization-wide reporting and internal communication processes, including reminding directors of deadlines and collecting, compiling, and distributing staff reports and weekly interdepartmental updates.
- Provide logistical and administrative support for major organizational events and other all-staff initiatives as needed.
- Provide administrative support for other Operations Department priorities and organizational needs as appropriate.
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma.
- Three or more years in a relevant field.
- Experience with HR information systems and Microsoft Office applications; experience with Paycor preferred.
- Working knowledge of human resources practices, employee benefits, payroll and timekeeping processes, personnel records, and employment-related compliance requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage recurring responsibilities, anticipate needs and deadlines, identify issues, research solutions, and follow responsibilities through to completion.
- Demonstrated judgment in determining when to act independently and when consultation, coordination, or approval is appropriate.
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities accurately and consistently.
- Initiative and creativity in handling assignments and in problem solving.
- Strong attention to detail, particularly when working with payroll, benefits, employee records, and confidential information.
- Ability to communicate policies, processes, and technical information clearly and accurately.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive personnel and organizational matters.
- Initiative and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify opportunities to improve processes and practices.
- Ability to facilitate meetings, coordinate work among multiple individuals, and ensure follow-through on decisions and action items.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with managers and employees throughout the organization.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to serve as a helpful, professional resource for employees and managers.
- Professional appearance and demeanor for both workplace and donor interactions.
- Interest in wildlife, the environment, and conservation.
- Valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications - Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
- Experience with non-profits.
- HR certification.
Compensation and Benefits - An annual salary of $55,000.
- The work week will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Occasional weekend work and travel required for special events, in person or online. Ability for occasional teleworking.
- 80 hours of vacation time per year
- 48 hours of personal time per year
- 48 hours of sick time per year
- 401(k) plan, with employer match (up to 4%)
- 50% health insurance coverage through a group plan
Application Requirements:
Interested applicants must submit the following through the button below: - CV or Resume
- Letter of intent
- Three references
For further inquiries, please contact:
Amber Buck
Operations Manager
Wildlife Center of Virginia
PO Box 1557, Waynesboro, VA 22980
abuck@wildlifecenter.org
No phone calls, please. Center phone lines are best kept open for wildlife emergencies.
The Wildlife Center of Virginia (WCV) is an equal opportunity employer. WCV will not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical condition), disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, citizenship, or any other class protected by applicable law. We reserve the right to alter, change, modify, and/or terminate this job posting at any time without notice or obligation to any party.
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