Human Resources Generalist

About the Role

The Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA), a cabinet-level department within the District of Columbia government dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of children and families, seeks a Human Resources Generalist. This role resides within the Human Resources Administration (HRA), Office of the Deputy Director for Administration (ODDA) at CFSA and delivers comprehensive HR technical assistance, guidance, and advisory services to managers and staff across various HR domains. The incumbent addresses a wide range of human resource activities, including recruitment, staffing, compensation, benefits, payroll, training, records management, compliance, and more.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with managers and supervisors to prepare accurate position vacancy announcements aligned with job descriptions, and ensure posting on appropriate platforms targeting suitable candidate pools.
• Conduct thorough background investigations of applicants.
• Evaluate position qualifications for non-supervisory, supervisory, and managerial roles, providing advice to hiring officials in alignment with District standards.
• Initiate personnel action requests (PAR) and enter necessary information into the Human Resources Information System (HRIS), including job requisitions and personnel actions.
• Conduct orientation sessions for new employees, handling associated documentation and recruitment event participation.
• Review PARs and selection certificates to ensure compliance with agency and District procedures.
• Analyze workflows and operational issues within assigned administrations, developing recommendations to enhance effectiveness and prevent problems.
• Develop, evaluate, and refine administrative procedures, controls, and systems to improve operational efficiency.
• Interpret and apply relevant District and federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures regarding personnel and administrative matters.
• Manage employee benefits inquiries and assist employees in understanding their available benefits including health, life, dental, vision insurance, disability coverage, among others.
• Provide retiree support by coordinating retirement documentation and facilitating smooth transitions to retirement benefits.
• Prepare and assist with reports, forms, training, and communication to ensure managerial understanding of HR policies and updates.
• Identify and sustain diverse recruitment channels such as community outreach, job fairs, networking with colleges and professional organizations, and leveraging media.
• Respond to information requests from employees, management, and external agencies both verbally and in writing.
• Participate in meetings, presentations, and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge and application capability of human resources management principles including recruitment, staffing, compensation, benefits, payroll, and time and attendance, supported by relevant laws and best practices.
• Understanding of specialized HR areas such as position management, succession planning, and workforce development.
• Expertise in interpreting District and federal personnel laws, executive orders, and policies including EEO and ADA compliance.
• Experience in resolving employee payroll and leave issues and familiarity with disability filing and retirement processes.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills to conduct HR research and apply effective interviewing methods.
• Excellent communication skills to prepare reports, deliver presentations, and interact with stakeholders.
• Understanding of labor-management relations, collective bargaining agreements, and union dynamics.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), HRIS platforms, and PeopleSoft payroll modules.

Education and Experience

A relevant Bachelor’s degree in fields such as Human Resources or Organizational Behavior is highly preferred. Applicants must have at least one year of specialized HR experience equivalent to DC government grade 11 level or its equivalent, demonstrating comprehensive knowledge and skills pertinent to human resources functions.

Additional Information

• Relevant HR certifications (e.g., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or equivalents) are strongly preferred.
• The work environment is a standard office setting with adequate amenities; the role requires minimal physical exertion but may involve walking and travel to meetings or conferences.
• Work schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:15 AM to 4:45 PM with flexibility.
• This is a career service position with no promotion potential and is not part of a collective bargaining unit.
• The position is designated as security sensitive, requiring background checks including criminal, traffic, and credit checks.
• Applicants claiming residency preference must maintain residency in the District for seven years to maintain employment eligibility.
• The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer, considering all qualified candidates without bias.