What are the responsibilities and job description for the HR Generalist position at City of Lancaster?
The Human Resources Generalist supports core Human Resources functions for the City, with responsibilities spanning payroll and benefits administration, recruitment and onboarding, employee relations, compliance, and risk-related HR processes.
This position is designed to provide operational support across multiple HR functions, with an emphasis on one or more functional areas based on the candidate’s experience and departmental needs.
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in either payroll and benefits administration or recruitment and risk management, with the ability and willingness to support broader HR operations as needed. This role requires a high level of confidentiality, independent judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced municipal environment.
Duties May Include (but Are Not Limited To)
Payroll, Benefits & Leave Administration
This position is designed to provide operational support across multiple HR functions, with an emphasis on one or more functional areas based on the candidate’s experience and departmental needs.
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in either payroll and benefits administration or recruitment and risk management, with the ability and willingness to support broader HR operations as needed. This role requires a high level of confidentiality, independent judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced municipal environment.
Duties May Include (but Are Not Limited To)
Payroll, Benefits & Leave Administration
- Bi-weekly payroll processing and reporting
- Benefits administration, billing, reconciliation, and employee support
- Leave of absence coordination (FMLA, discretionary leaves)
- Workers’ compensation and ACA coordination
- Recruitment support, screening, interview coordination
- New hire onboarding and orientation
- Employee relations support and policy guidance
- Performance review and training coordination
- HRIS management and records retention
- Policy research and implementation
- Compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws
- HR reporting, audits, and special projects
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
- Minimum of 3–5 years of HR experience in a generalist or related role.
- Professional HR certification (IPMA-HR, SHRM-CP, or equivalent) preferred.
- Experience in local government or public sector HR.
- Strong knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
- Proficiency in HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite. Knowledge of ADP, Knowbe4, NeoGov and Canva preferred.
- Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.