HR Generalist

About the Role

The Human Resources Generalist serves as an onsite HR Business Partner and employee relations representative for the Louisiana office. This position functions as an extension of the Human Resources team located at the corporate headquarters in Virginia, providing professional HR support to local managers and employees while ensuring consistent application of organizational policies, procedures, and employment practices. The role reports directly to the Senior Human Resources Generalist and collaborates with the HQ HR team to maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.

Responsibilities

• Employee Relations
  • Serve as the primary onsite Human Resources contact for managers and employees.
  • Provide timely, professional, and confidential HR guidance on policies, procedures, and programs.
  • Assist managers with performance concerns, coaching, documentation, corrective actions, and conflict resolution.
  • Conduct or assist with investigations involving workplace concerns, policy violations, harassment, or discrimination.
  • Promote a respectful, inclusive, and positive workplace culture; identify trends and recommend proactive solutions.
  • Escalate complex matters to the Senior HR Generalist or Human Resources Manager as needed.
• Onboarding and Employee Lifecycle
  • Coordinate onsite new hire activities, including orientation and employment eligibility verification (Form I-9/E-Verify).
  • Ensure workstation readiness and onboarding logistics with local management and IT.
  • Conduct HR check-ins during the first six weeks to support new hire engagement.
  • Support transfers, status changes, promotions, compensation changes, and offboarding under HQ HR direction.
  • Conduct exit interviews and communicate trends or recommendations to leadership.
• Benefits Administration
  • Serve as the local point of contact for employee benefit questions and enrollment assistance.
  • Assist with benefit enrollment, qualifying life events, and annual Open Enrollment.
  • Support Wellness Challenges and coordinate benefit communications between employees and HQ HR.
  • Assist with leave requests, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, paid leave, and workers' compensation.
• Human Resources Administration
  • Maintain accurate employee records and ensure confidentiality of personnel information.
  • Assist with HR reporting, recordkeeping, and electronic personnel files.
  • Ensure compliance with employment notices, workplace postings, and training requirements.
  • Support HR audits, policy implementation, and process improvements.
• Performance Management
  • Support managers and employees throughout the performance management process.
  • Assist with performance reviews, improvement plans, development planning, and goal setting.
  • Provide coaching on HR best practices and organizational expectations.
• Compliance
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
  • Stay current on employment law developments and maintain consistent policy application.
• Employee Engagement
  • Assist in planning employee recognition programs, engagement activities, and office events.
  • Support employee communications and organizational culture initiatives.
  • Partner with managers to improve engagement and retention; conduct stay interviews.
• Collaboration
  • Work closely with the HQ HR team to ensure consistency in HR practices.
  • Participate in HR meetings and training; provide recommendations on local workforce trends.
  • Maintain strong working relationships with managers across all departments.

Requirements

• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible Human Resources Generalist experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field – or an additional four (4) years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience supporting employee relations and HR operations.
• Proficiency in interpreting and applying employment policies and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Human Resources certification (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR).
• Experience with HRIS (ADP Workforce Now preferred), applicant tracking systems, and electronic personnel records.
• Experience supporting government contracting, nonprofit, engineering, consulting, or professional services organizations.
• Experience with diverse workforce roles and responsibilities.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of HR principles, practices, and employment laws (federal and Louisiana).
• Strong employee relations, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work collaboratively with remote teams and travel occasionally for meetings or training.

Personal Traits

IBTS values the following traits for success within the organization:

• Strong work ethic and reliability.
• Teachability and commitment to continuous learning.
• Collaborative and team-oriented mindset.
• Professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment.
• Customer service orientation and dependability.
• Adaptability, initiative, and conflict resolution skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and via virtual platforms.
• Occasional lifting and moving of up to 20 pounds.
• Occasional travel for training or business meetings.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office environment with regular interaction with employees, managers, executives, and corporate HR staff.
• Requires handling confidential and sensitive information with discretion.

About the Company

The Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing unbiased professional building code compliance services. Our mission is to deliver quality services to meet governance challenges while enhancing public safety, economic development, and community welfare. Services include Building and Community Development, Energy and Sustainability, Disaster Planning and Recovery, Quality Assurance, and Compliance and Risk Monitoring. IBTS is headquartered in Ashburn, VA, with offices in Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC.