City of Portland - Human Resources Generalist I - DPW

City of Portland Human Resources Generalist I DPW

The City of Portland is seeking a motivated, proactive, and kind human resources professional to join the Human Resources Department serving the Public Works team. The ideal candidate will have significant knowledge and applied skills in HR best practices, and is deeply committed to ensuring that all Public Works staff are supported and engaged to allow them to provide outstanding service to our community. The Department of Public Works helps keep the city of Portland moving each day with many areas of responsibility, including garbage and recycling collection, clearing streets of ice and snow in the winter, maintaining the citys sewer system, building and maintaining miles of sidewalks, managing the citys traffic lights and street signage, and so much more.

Job Summary :

The HR Generalist I serves as a liaison between the City of Portlands Human Resources Department and Public Works Department by advising department management, serving as a resource to Public Works staff, and implementing human resources policies and expectations within the Department. This role ensures compliance with all human resources-related federal, state, and local laws and rules; city policies and procedures; city collective bargaining agreements; and best practices. The HR Generalist I partners with management on a wide variety of personnel related functions. Work is carried out under the direction of the Deputy Director of Human Resources, working in close partnership with the Departments leadership team.

Key Responsibilities :

• Overseeing and coordinating the recruitment and hiring process within the Department.
• Serving as a resource for employees with respect to leaves, benefits, accommodation requests, questions or complaints about workplace conditions or conduct, and similar issues and consulting with the relevant HR specialist, where needed, to resolve concerns.
• Managing employee leaves of absence, work related injuries, light duty assignments, and similar in accordance with HR processes and in collaboration with relevant HR specialists and outside providers.
• Serving as a point of contact for the Citys Safety Team, including assisting with arranging training.
• Facilitating and helping implement the Departments training program in coordination with HR specialists and Department management.
• Working closely with Department management, financial contacts, and payroll contacts to ensure accurate staffing, budgeting, payroll, etc.
• Maintaining an excellent working relationship with the Citys unions, and participating in employee relations and bargaining in coordination with the Citys Labor Relations Manager.
• Maintaining employee personnel and medical records and HRIS data.
• Participating on City committees related to employee recognition programs and special events, as needed.
• Analyzing and applying a variety of human resources data to advise leaders, provide actionable insights, guide data-driven HR strategies, identify trends and challenges, make recommendations for solutions and improvements, put recommendations into effect, and measure outcomes.
• May serve as backup for other HR Generalists or, on occasion, an HR specialist. Performs related work as required.

Requirements of Work :

Required experience and knowledge : Graduation from a four-year college or university with a relevant major; or any equivalent combination of training and experience meeting the requirements of work. Minimum three years experience in a human resources generalist role. Strong knowledge of employment related laws, rules, and regulations. Familiarity with union relations. Experience analyzing a variety of administrative and human resources problems; making recommendations for their solution; putting such recommendations into effect; and measuring their outcomes. Excellent familiarity with best practices in the human resources industry.

Required skills : Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to build trust and establish and maintain strong working relationships with department heads, departmental personnel, union representatives, other City staff, and the general public. Ability to advise management and help facilitate consensus building. Ability to work independently, to meet deadlines, and to coordinate multiple responsibilities. Ability to apply a strategic, proactive approach.