Human Resources Generalist- Benefits

Title:                      Human Resources Generalist - Benefits

Unit:                      Human Resources

Reports to:            Director of Benefits

Status:                   Full-Time; Regular; Non-Exempt

Salary Range:       $37.36 to $40.66 per hour (approximately $68,000 to $74,000 per year)

Location:               Long Island City with travel to other boroughs

Days/Hours:          Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm

Organization Overview:

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 57 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities.

Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with close to $90 million in annual budget with just under 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 14,000 people a year. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.

Position Summary:

The Human Resources Generalist contributes to the accomplishment of Human Resources practices and objectives that will provide an employee-oriented, high performance culture that emphasizes empowerment, quality, productivity, and the ongoing development of a superior workforce. The Human Resources Generalist will work with the Human Resources Benefits Team in supporting and delivering Human Resources services in relation to employee benefits. They will work closely with the Director of Benefits to create a definitive plan of action to create an effective and open pathway of communication to more effectively and efficiently relay and process information between departments.

The HR Generalist also supports the implementation and delivery of all human resources programs including HRIS, compensation, health and welfare benefits, training and development, records management, safety and health, succession planning, employee relations and retention, EEO compliance, and completing personnel transactions.

Core Competencies:

Mission and Fit: Embodies Fortune’s mission and values and will be an effective member of the team in furthering both. The candidate should exhibit compassion and understanding for our participants (wherever they are in their re-entry process) and embrace Fortune’s core value that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.

Benefits Knowledge:  Has a strong understanding of benefits laws and processes on a federal, state and city level.  Has experience administering ADA and other leaves and with the reasonable accommodation process.  Has experience with auditing benefits invoices to ensure billing is accurate.

General HR Experience:  Has at least 2 to 3 years of HR experience.  Has experience working at a non-profit.  Has a broad understanding of Human Resources policies and procedures.

Auditing and Organizational Skills:  Has experience auditing benefits invoices.  Has strong organizational skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain accurate and timely records in HRIS system and physical employee files. Produce reports including for audits as needed;

• Update Fortune’s HRIS to reflect employee leave statuses, health benefits, time off accruals, beneficiaries, dependents, and all other aspects of employee benefits;

• Respond to employee inquiries regarding benefits and provide necessary information and support;

• Oversee Bereavement Leave, Jury Duty Leave Pre-Natal Leave and other leaves as needed;

• Support the Benefits Director in Reasonable Accommodation meetings, documentation and tracking;

• Support and conduct new hire benefits orientations as needed;

• Ensure that all vendors are updated with current information on all employees, including for insurance, flexible spending and Cobra administration;

• Work with Benefits Director in the processing and filing of Worker’s comp, STD, LTD claims and other leaves;

• Manage audit process, billing and invoicing for all vendors and carriers;

• Represent the organization at and participate in meetings and/ or events as directed;

• Assist the AVP of Human Resources in special projects and other tasks as needed;

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Degree in Human Resources preferred.  PHR or SHRM preferred;

• 2 to 3 years of relevant human resources experience, not-for-profit setting preferred;

• Knowledge of human resources functions; benefits administration, employee relations, and HRIS;

• Knowledge of federal and state benefits laws;

• Experience administering and tracking leaves and with the reasonable accommodation process;

• Ability to effectively interact with employees from senior management to frontline;

• Ability to deal with sensitive issues with diplomacy and discretion;

• Must be able to multi task with strong organizational skills with an emphasis on time management

• PC proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and any HRIS are required;

• Excellent interpersonal skills and able to communicate both verbally and in written form;

We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to this mission.  Relevant personal experience is a plus.

Travel Requirements: Will require travel to our offices in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.

Physical Demands:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.