HR Generalist Job Description Template

The HR generalist is responsible for everything related to employee management. From payroll, salary negotiation, and contract management to organizing training days and educational materials for new employees. Depending on the size of the business the HR generalist can be a stand-alone position that reports directly to the CEO or HR director of a company.

When your company is looking to hire a human resource generalist, you’re dealing with candidates who are very familiar with the hiring process. That’s why it’s important to have an informative and appealing HR generalist job description. Whether you’re creating a senior HR generalist job description or an entry level HR generalist job description, the key is to give potential candidates a good understanding of what will be required on an everyday basis.

By customizing this template to the specific requirements of the position you increase the odds of finding the perfect match. Looking for more inspiration? These HR generalist jobs on Monster can give you some ideas on what to include in your job post.

HR Generalist

[Intro Paragraph] Before informing candidates about the job responsibilities and required skillsets, they need to know about the company they’re applying to. That’s why you want to start your HR generalist job description with a concise introduction. Share some information on your company’s history, highlight some big achievements, and emphasize how you encourage a healthy work/life balance. This is where you make your first impression, so give them a reason to want to join your team.

HR Generalist Job Responsibilities: After the introduction, you should explain the key job responsibilities the new hire must perform, such as:

  • Provide personnel policy and procedure guidance to employees and management.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of federal and state employment law and compliance requirements.
  • Coordinate open enrollments, changes, and training for employee benefits programs.
  • Respond to human resources-related inquiries.
  • Assist with payroll processing.
  • Create and distribute internal communications regarding status changes, benefits, or company policies.
  • Administer new employee on-boarding and orientation.
  • Develop and maintain talent management processes.
  • Monitor employee morale and company culture.
  • Collaborate with the human resources team to develop effective recruitment strategies.
  • Identify future staffing needs.
  • Process complaints regarding sexual harassment, discrimination, or other instances of workplace harassment and assist in any necessary investigations and disciplinary actions.
  • Maintain employee personnel records.
  • Conduct exit interviews and recommend corrective action if necessary.

[Work Hours and Benefits] Highlighting the work hours and compensation package in your HR generalist job description will help candidates understand the workload and benefits of the position. Most HR generalists are full-time hires and work a 9-5 schedule. It’s also a position that generally doesn’t need to be performed in the office, so be sure to mention if the position is remote, hybrid, or in-office so candidates will know what to expect.

Highlighting the benefits is always a good idea when trying to win over prospective candidates, especially candidates who are well versed in employer incentives. Along with including the HR generalist salary range, you may want to mention the full compensation package new hires can expect. For instance, you can address health benefits, retirement plan options, or company perks like transportation reimbursements or company-wide discounts. Keep in mind that pay transparency early in the process can keep you focused on candidates who are more likely to accept an offer.

HR Generalist Qualifications and Skills

  • Demonstrated knowledge of the human resources field
  • Understanding of state and federal employment regulations
  • Awareness of OSHA regulations and compliance
  • Understanding of personnel and compliance records management
  • Strong analytical and problem solving skills
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication abilities
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality

Education and Experience Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field
  • 3-5 years human resources experience
  • Experience with HRMS/HRIS systems
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook)
  • PHR or SPHR certification preferred
  • Bilingual English/Spanish a plus

[Call to Action] The last part of your job description should include a strong call to action, something that inspires candidates to apply and provides clear instructions on how to do so. You can simply add a link to your hiring website or choose a more personalized route by requesting a motivation letter that candidates can send to the email address that is provided.

Use Your Human Resources Generalist Job Description to Find the Right Candidate

There are two ingredients to success when you’re trying to find the right candidate for your position. The first ingredient is a professionally written HR generalist job description that excites candidates and inspires them to apply. The second is the audience! Make sure your job description gets the views it deserves by getting it out there! Get unique access to our candidate pool by posting your job description for free today.