HR Generalist - Benefits
About the role
The Human Resources Generalist plays a key role in supporting the company's human resources team, with a primary focus on benefits and leave administration. In addition to benefits/leave, this role provides generalist support across key HR programs, including interviewing, onboarding, employee engagement, performance review coordination, and policy/handbook maintenance.
Responsibilities
Administer employee benefits programs (enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations, and employee support)
Serve as a primary point of contact for benefits questions
In-house leave of absence administration (FMLA and other applicable leaves), including documentation, tracking, employee communications, return-to-work coordination, and related payroll/benefits impacts
Coordinate with benefit providers, TPAs, and the insurance broker to resolve issues, support renewals, and identify plan improvements; provide data and recommendations to HR leadership for decision-making
Support benefits compliance and documentation (plan notices, eligibility records, leave records) and coordinate COBRA administration with the company's COBRA vendor in partnership with HR Director and Manager
Support open enrollment planning and execution (timelines, employee communications, education sessions, and system setup) in coordination with the HR Director and Manager
Maintain benefits and leave data integrity in HRIS/benefits systems; manage eligibility files/integrations (including EDI oversight and troubleshooting), and produce basic reporting
Support recruiting and interviewing activities, including scheduling, candidate communications, and participating in interviews in partnership with hiring managers and HR leadership
Coordinate onboarding and offboarding logistics (orientation, new hire paperwork, required acknowledgements, and first-week experience) and ensure accurate employee records
Maintain and update HR policies, procedures, and the employee handbook; support communication and acknowledgement tracking for policy updates
Provide additional HR operational support as directed by HR leadership, with priorities aligned to benefits/leave administration needs
Occasional travel may be required based on business needs
Requirements
Bachelor's degree in business or human resources management or a similar field of study
Valid driver's license
Responsive and service-oriented
Experience working as an HR Professional for an engineering consulting firm is a plus, but not required
3-5+ years of experience in HR with significant responsibility for benefits and leave administration preferred
Experience partnering with brokers/vendors and supporting renewals and open enrollment planning and execution
Working knowledge of benefits/leave compliance concepts and ability to partner with HR leadership on interpretation and decisions (e.g., in-house FMLA/ADA coordination, COBRA vendor coordination, HIPAA privacy practices for benefits data, Section 125 qualifying life events)
Knowledge of Texas employment law required
Strong HRIS and Excel skills; experience supporting benefits administration platforms and/or EDI feeds preferred
Criterion HCM/Sage HCM is a plus
Committed to ongoing professional development and maintaining current knowledge of the HR field
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain solid working relationships with managers and employees
Demonstrated ability to manage and schedule work to meet objectives and deadlines
Willingness and desire to learn new skills and proficiencies