Human Resources Generalist

Position Open Date:

04/30/2026

Position Close Date:

05/14/2026 Interested in making a difference in your community while building a career? Join our team as an HR Generalist!

WHO WE ARE

For 60 years, Opportunity Council has worked throughout Northwest Washington to build just, equitable communities through service, investment, and collaboration. Our mission is to help people improve their lives through education, support, and direct assistance while advocating for just and equitable communities. Part of a national network of Community Action Agencies, we are dedicated to helping people help each other and themselves, building a community where everyone has the chance to thrive and contribute.

OUR VALUES

At Opportunity Council, our values guide everything we do. Collaboration, respect, integrity, passion, and learning shape how we show up for each other and for our community. We're also committed to weaving diversity, equity, and inclusion into every part of our work—from the help we offer in the community to the kind of workplace we create for our staff. To learn more about us and our work, visit our website: www.oppco.org

WORK SCHEDULE

Monday through Friday 8 AM - 5 PM

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Human Resources (HR) Generalist provides day-to-day operational support for Opportunity Council's Human Resources team to provide Opportunity Council with supportive people-focused infrastructure based upon the agency's strategic plan and mission to create an engaged and client-focused workforce. The HR Generalist is responsible for supporting many critical HR functions, including recruiting and onboarding; safety compliance; worker's compensation; family & medical leave; workplace accommodations; HR information systems, databases and self-service systems; and regulatory reporting requirements and data requests. In addition, the HR Generalist will serve as a cross-functional member of the HR team, providing support and backup in all areas of human resources. The HR Generalist will assist in shaping HR processes to promote a collaborative working environment and an organizational culture that supports and embraces equity and social justice for the organization's employees and the community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Regulatory Compliance:

Administers the Workers Compensation Program (L&I), working with employees, managers and providers. In coordination with HR Director(s) completes HR, agency, and external requests for data and reports. Responsible for HR compliance reporting, including EEOC, OSHA, and Washington State Labor & Industries. Ensures HR department and Opportunity Council are in compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, directives, and other compliance requirements. Assists with document/file/HR Systems audits, ensuring compliance with Federal, State and local laws, regulations, directives, and other compliance requirements.

Benefits & Leave:

Reviews requests for workplace accommodations, manages interactive process, makes accommodation determinations, provides job applicant accommodations. Oversees FMLA and PFMLA medical leave and workplace accommodation programs. With guidance from HR Director(s), makes determinations regarding eligibility, and release to work for leave and accommodations related to medical, military, domestic violence, and parental leave. Notifies employees of eligibility and approval of leave, transfers process to leave vendor and tracks progress, manages internal and external communications. Provides support and backup for employee benefits program. Supports coordinating monthly benefits processing and data transfer, including new hire benefits enrollment, benefits changes, and claims. Supports annual Open Enrollment. Serves as backup contact for plan vendors and third-party administrators. Ensures agency compliance with applicable government regulations. Provides customer service support to internal and external customers. Works with Benefits Coordinator to develop and design communications and communication materials and tools to enhance understanding of agency's benefits.

Recruiting & Onboarding:

Provides support and backup for the recruitment program, including reviewing and editing work plans for vacant and new positions, conducting classification and compensation analysis for vacant and new positions, posting vacant and new positions on recruitment software, tracking posted positions through the recruitment process on recruitment software, assisting hiring managers with the recruitment process, setting up interviews, and corresponding with applicants as needed. Provides support and backup for new employee orientation and onboarding program, including facilitating all necessary paperwork, coordinating orientation and training dates, and ensuring new employees and departments have coordinated departmental and agency onboarding. Supports the administration of Drug Free Workplace policies and practices and Coordinates Commercial Drivers' License (CDL) drug testing process.

Performance Reviews:

Assists HR Director with Performance Management software implementation, rollout and program management. Includes communication with managers and employees on the importance of process.

Policy & HRMS Analytics:

Maintains knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, and employment law; applies this knowledge to educate and communicate changes in policies, practices, and resources to HR leadership and team. Provides assistance with updating and developing OC Personnel Policies to mitigate risk and maintain compliance. Administers human resources related software, working with HR information systems as required to create, run, and analyze reports.

Training & Development:

Participate in work groups and project teams focused on the strategic relationship of HR within the organization. Participate in HR initiatives and on other HR cross-functional teams as needed. Assists with agency trainings as needed. Participates in work groups, committees and project teams focused on the strategic relationship of HR staff within the organization. Participates in HR initiatives and on other HR cross-functional teams as needed. Works in collaboration with HR Leadership to communicate HR goals in alignment with agency mission to organization is clear and respectful manner.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE

Bachelor's Degree in related field or equivalent year-for-year experience in human resources. Minimum four years demonstrated experience in HR functional areas or applicable experience. Demonstrated experience with HR or similar systems, including report writing from relational databases. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office applications. Preferred SHRM and/or HRCI Human Resources certification. Must have valid Washington State driver's license and maintain insurability through agency insurer for duration of employment. If hiring for a bilingual position. Must be able to speak, read, and write with proficiency and fluency in the required language. We place a strong value in hiring individuals with lived experiences of, poverty and/or homelessness or who have previously participated in Opportunity Council programs or other social services.

OUR BENEFITS PACKAGE

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and work-life balance. Paid time off earned on an accrual basis (vacation, sick, personal, holidays) Paid time off for wellness needs Employer-paid holidays Employer-paid HDHP and low-cost traditional health care options HSA and FSA plans, subject to plan terms Eligibility for critical illness insurance coverage 403(b) Retirement plan with employer contribution Eligibility for health coverage for legal dependents Eligibility for employee/family dental and vision coverage Voluntary benefits such as life insurance, long-term disability, and long-term care and personal legal services

ABOUT WHATCOM COUNTY

Working with Opportunity Council in Whatcom County is more than just a job, it's a chance to be part of something bigger. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, our community is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and a shared commitment to positive change. Whether you're supporting local families, advocating for equity, or building programs that uplift our neighbors, you'll find purpose and connection here. Join us in building a stronger Whatcom County where everyone has the chance to thrive and contribute We believe our team should reflect the communities we serve. That's why we strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, Veterans, and people with disabilities to apply. Opportunity Council is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not permit discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, marital or family status, pregnancy, military or veteran status, age, genetic information, disability, use of a service animal, or any other status protected by law.