HR Generalist - Benefits & Operations

Description

Position Overview: 

 The HR Generalist reports to the Vice President of Human Resources and is responsible for administering and supporting NSCH’s employee benefits programs while providing general HR support across employee lifecycle activities. This role serves as a primary resource for employees regarding benefit eligibility, enrollment, leave administration, and HR policies, and keeps benefits data accurate in NSCH’s HR & payroll system (Paylocity). The HR Generalist ensures compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, maintains accurate employee records, and works collaboratively with internal stakeholders and external vendors, including benefits carriers and third-party administrators, to deliver a positive employee experience. This position is hybrid and requires three days per week from our office in Salem, MA.   

The Organization

North Shore Community Health (NSCH) is a highly accomplished community health organization that prides itself on its compassionate approach to serving the surrounding communities with comprehensive and culturally sensitive care. With a strong commitment to excellence, NSCH provides:

• Comprehensive primary care.
• Dental services.
• Behavioral health care.
• Care management.
• Pharmacy services.
• Substance abuse disorder treatment.
• Nurse care management.
• Insurance enrollment assistance.

NSCH operates service sites at Gloucester, Peabody, and Salem Family Health Centers, ensuring convenient access to care. Additionally, NSCH extends its reach through school-based health centers within the Salem and Peabody School Districts. 

As a community-based safety net healthcare provider, NSCH actively encourages diversity and welcomes staff members who reflect the rich tapestry of our communities. We highly value the contributions of our team members and offer a wide range of perks and comprehensive benefits. These include health and wellness benefits, tuition reimbursement, loan forgiveness opportunities, and other appealing benefits.

We believe in supporting our employees from day one, and all eligible staff members can take advantage of these benefits right from the start of their employment at NSCH. We aim to foster a supportive and rewarding environment that empowers our team members to provide exceptional care to our communities.

Mission

North Shore Community Health’s mission is to build healthy communities by providing exceptional care to all.

Vision

Healthy People | Vibrant Communities

Values

Accountability

We take our responsibility to ourselves, each other, and the NSCH Community very seriously. We understand our individual roles, and positions of power with respect to how others perceive our roles and actions. We hold ourselves accountable when we make mistakes–acknowledging the error, owning it, taking corrective actions, and moving forward. We follow through on what we commit or resolve to do.

Integrity

Integrity is the foundation of healthy relationships. We are committed to the highest ethical standards: honesty, fairness, respectfulness, and trustworthiness. We are honorable and respectful in dealings with others, and we strive to deal honestly, fairly, and in a respectful, ethical, and trustworthy manner when in agreement or disagreement.

Empathy

Empathy is a deep appreciation for another’s situation and point of view, which is the basis for the golden rule and our intrinsic sense of justice. We strive to bring empathy into our interactions with each other and with our patients.

Courage

We see courage as the strength of character to stand up for our convictions and belief system. To have courage is to have the fortitude to take risks and to extend one’s behaviors, actions, and thoughts beyond one’s comfort zone. We appreciate that courage is often required to compromise. Courage is a state of mind to face adverse, difficult, and challenging situations with confidence and positive energy.

Respect

NSCH holds its patients in the highest regard. We provide care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient needs and values. We take the time to listen to concerns, understand what is important, and provide appropriate solutions and care. We do this through coordination and integration of care, collaboration, and teamwork.

Commitment

NSCH is committed to the health and well-being of its community, patients, and staff. We demonstrate this commitment by constantly striving to align our actions with our mission, vision, and values.

EEO Statement:

We, North Shore Community Health (NSCH), are an equal employment opportunity employer. Our goal is to have a diverse workforce representative of all people, at all job levels, in the organization. We do not and will not make any personnel decisions (like recruiting, hiring, job assignments, and promotions) based on age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Benefits Administration 

• Administer employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plans, flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and wellness programs. 
• Manage new hire benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, and the annual open enrollment process, including preparing enrollment materials and communications. 
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefit inquiries, providing guidance on plan options, eligibility, and enrollment steps. 
• Coordinate benefit terminations, COBRA administration, and retiree benefits as applicable. 
• Reconcile monthly benefit invoices and resolve discrepancies with carriers and vendors. 
• Maintain benefit records and ensure timely, accurate updates within Paylocity and other benefit administration systems. 
• Complete employment and benefits verification forms, and process paperwork for loan-forgiveness programs such as HRSA and PSLF. 
• Develop and distribute employee communications regarding benefits, wellness initiatives, and plan changes. 

Leave Administration 

• Administer leaves of absence, including FMLA, Massachusetts and other state family and medical leave programs, ADA accommodations, military leave, bereavement leave, and personal leave. 
• Monitor leave schedules, documentation, eligibility requirements, and return-to-work processes. 
• Coordinate with managers, employees, and third-party administrators to ensure compliance and consistency. 
• Maintain confidential leave files and documentation. 

Onboarding, New Hire Orientation, and Offboarding 

• Coordinate and lead new hire orientation, including the benefits and HR policy portions, and ensure presenters and materials are ready. 
• Explain time off, benefit packages, and enrollment steps to new hires during orientation. 
• Coordinate onboarding logistics, including system access setup, new hire paperwork, and scheduling of required trainings. 
• Coordinate and conduct employee offboarding meetings, covering benefits continuation, final pay, and return of company issued equipment. 
• Ensure documentation is submitted to payroll for all new hires and terminations in a timely manner. 
• Send separation information to departing employees and coordinate return of NSCH issued equipment. 
• Encourage completion of new hire and separation surveys and track trends to recommend process improvements. 

Human Resources Support 

• Maintain employee personnel records and ensure data integrity within Paylocity and other HR systems. 
• Assist with policy interpretation and support managers on employee relations matters. 
• Respond to employee questions regarding HR policies, procedures, and programs. 
• Support performance management, employee engagement, and retention initiatives. 
• Assist with employment verifications, audits, and reporting requirements. 

Compliance and Reporting 

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to employee benefits and employment practices. 
• Assist with ACA reporting, annual audits, census reporting, and benefits nondiscrimination testing. 
• Prepare HR and benefits-related reports and analyze trends as requested. 
• Maintain confidentiality of employee information and sensitive HR data. 

Vendor and Project Management 

• Coordinate with insurance brokers, benefit carriers, retirement plan administrators, and other vendors. 
• Assist in evaluating benefit offerings and recommending program improvements. 
• Participate in HR projects, process improvement initiatives, and system implementations. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Non-Essential Functions 

• Attends weekly HR staff meetings. 
• Adheres to NSCH policies. 
• Adheres to NSCH values and principles. 

Requirements

Education 

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. 

Experience 

• Minimum of 3 years of human resources experience with significant responsibility for benefits administration. 
• Experience administering leave programs, including FMLA and ADA accommodations, preferred. 
• Experience working in a healthcare environment is preferred. 
• Experience with HRIS/payroll systems required; Paylocity experience a plus. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Strong knowledge of employee benefits administration and applicable employment laws, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and ADA. 
• Proficiency with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office applications. 
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills. 
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal communication skills. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment. 
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and time-management skills. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 
•  Demonstrated ability to work in a culturally diverse and inclusive environment.  

Physical Requirements 

• Requires being able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time, as well as the ability to use computers, copiers, and a phone. May need to travel to multiple sites.  

Internal and External Contacts 

• Interfaces regularly with the employee population in person, by phone, and by email regarding benefits and related HR matters. 
• Interfaces regularly with benefits carriers, third-party administrators, and brokers. 
• Coordinates regularly with Payroll and Finance on benefits-related processing and reporting. 

As a health center, NSCH ensures that all employees comply with the annual requirements for vaccinations and health screenings. All employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of their employment unless they have been granted a religious or medical exception. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination must be provided, and prospective employees must be vaccinated before their first day of employment, submitting their vaccination record and pre-hire paperwork. If you need to request an exemption from the vaccine requirement or have any inquiries regarding this policy, please contact the Human Resources Department at [email protected].

At North Shore Community Health, our commitment lies in fostering a diverse workforce. If you're enthusiastic about this position but feel that your previous experience aligns differently with every requirement in the job description, we still encourage you to apply! Your skills could be a great fit for this role or other opportunities within North Shore Community Health.

Living on the North Shore

With facilities in Salem, Peabody, and Gloucester, NSCH offers access to New England’s Coastal charm just thirty minutes outside Boston. The North Shore is connected to the city via the Rockport Commuter Rail line, which makes stops in Salem and Gloucester. The North Shore has plenty to offer, with a rich history and thriving cultural scene.

For Information Please Contact:

Talent Acquisition Department

North Shore Community Health

[email protected]