Human Resources Generalist - New York City, Headquarters Office

Helen Keller International (HKI), a 90-year old international non-governmental organization headquartered in New York City, is seeking a Human Resources Generalist.  The mission of HKI is to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged by combating the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition. HKI establishes programs based on evidence and research in vision, health and nutrition.

Primary Function:

As an integral part of a small Human Resources Headquarters team, the HR Generalist will report to the Vice President, Human Resources, and provide support to all HKI offices.  The primary focus will be on: Recruitment and Employment, Employee Relations, Performance Management, and Salary Administration.

Major Duties and Responsibilities Include:

• Recruitment/Onboarding/Employment:
  • Coordinate the recruitment process of both domestic and select international hires ensuring that staffing requirements are satisfied in the most timely and cost effective manner.
  • Develop job descriptions, as needed.
  • Identify and screen potential candidates for select positions, as may be assigned.
  • Conduct reference checks for final candidates for select positions as assigned.
  • Prepare offers of employment including US offer letters, and new/renewal employment contracts for key international hires, in collaboration with the hiring manager and VP, HR.
  • Assist in managing expatriate management issues, i.e., visa/immigration issues, relocation process, and tracking of related compensation and allowances information.
  • Track and systemize internship requests from field offices as well as inquiries from potential interns and from universities.  Assist in identifying possible matches.
  • Coordinate full orientation for Headquarters hires, and provide orientation (non-benefits) for other domestic and international hires, facilitating their welcome and assimilation into the agency.
  • Coordinate efforts with other Headquarters staff to address onboarding and exit issues.
  • Provide managers with temporary staffing solutions. Work with managers to assist in securing independent contractors, as needed.
  • Participate in the development and delivery of HR training programs.
  • Assist with adhering to, implementing, and addressing compliance issues.
  • Maintain proper HR records related to all HR work handled.
• Employee Relations:
  • Respond to inquiries regarding policies and procedures.
  • Collaborate with HR team and key managers to recommend new approaches, policies and procedures to effect continual improvements in efficiency of department and services performed.  
  • Ensure continuous communication with staff. 
  • Manage the employee exit process, including exit interviews for most staff.
  • Coordinate staff events for Headquarters such as the annual service recognition day.
  • Assist visiting HKI staff in facilitating their visits to the Headquarters office.
• Performance Management:
  • Provide support to supervisors and employees regarding the performance evaluation and management process.
  • Enhance and manage the tracking and reporting system to support the performance evaluation process, and assist in developing enhancements to the program.
  • In coordination with the VP for HR, provide managers with performance management training.
• Salary Administration/HRIS:
  • Provide managers with compensation advice as well as salary policy and guidelines interpretation.
• Assist in the salary administration process for issues relating to performance evaluation, hires, promotions, and terminations.  Additional responsibilities related to salary administration may be assigned in the future.
• Contribute to the development of a functional HRIS, and utilize it to streamline HR processes and requests.
• Assist with paid time-off tracking/reporting.

Other projects/tasks may be assigned that have some cross-over responsibilities with other members of HR.

Skills/Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree in a related field.
• 3+ years of HR generalist experience in a multi-location environment; international HR experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of HR practices and employment laws and regulations, and their day-to-day application.  Experience with international employment requirements is a plus.
• Demonstrated increased responsibility within Human Resources, preferably with an emphasis on recruiting, employment, performance management, employee relations and compliance.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build collaborative relationships with HR staff and employees from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to problem solve, has a strong attention to detail, and can work independently.  Excellent organizational skills and strong follow-through skills.
• Ability to handle confidential matters with a high level of integrity and discretion.
• Excellent computer skills: Microsoft Word and Excel; HRIS database is a plus.

How to Apply:

Qualified candidates are invited to send a cover letter and resume, including current salary and salary requirements, via e-mail to hkihr@hki.org, noting “HR Generalist” as the subject heading, or to:  VP, HR, Helen Keller International, 352 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010.   All correspondence should include physical and e-mail addresses as well as contact telephone number(s). E-mail applications are preferred.  

Only qualified candidates meeting our requirements will be contacted. HKI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/D/V.  External applicants must currently be authorized to work in the U.S.

No phone calls or faxes. No agencies.

More information about HKI is available at www.hki.org.