Christopher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Human resources generalist

Christopher House (CH) is seeking a Human Resources Generalist to partner closely with the Chief Human Resources Officer in advancing a people-centered, equitable, and high-performing organization. We are looking for a high-potential HR professional who values diversity and inclusion, brings strong technical aptitude and a systems mindset, and is committed to driving continuous improvement.  This role will play a key part in supporting and scaling strategic people initiatives, leveraging technology, data, and process excellence to enhance organizational effectiveness and elevate the employee experience.

Christopher House's current strategic plan sets the vision for Christopher House to be the best place to work.  Join us in our mission to build a culture where every team member can thrive and contribute to our collective success.  Director of Human Resources will work in collaboration with HR team, senior leadership and management team offering strategic guidance, enhancing systems development and implementation, that shape and nurture an organizational culture of learning, growth, and belonging in alignment with Christopher House's core values. 

With a mission to develop independent, creative, lifelong learners, our family of schools build a community of staff, scholars, and parents committed to our core values: excellence, achievement and perseverance, respect and compassion, and equity.   

Christopher House partners with parents to provide a continuum of education for students from birth through high school, as well as immersive family supports that help parents create stable, self-sufficient families.  We operate accredited early learning, elementary, and out of school time programs grounded in research-based curricula and high-quality instruction.   

OUR VALUES

Commitment to Excellence

Achievement & Perseverance

Respect & Compassion 

Equity 

OUR BELIEFS 

Children and Families thrive when: 

• Education begins at birth and continues throughout life, with parents as their children's first teacher;
• Home environments nurture literacy, achievement, and children's success;
• Parents have high standards and set high expectations for themselves, their children, and children's schools;
• Professionally trained teachers know their students as individuals;
• Evaluations and program improvements are data driven;
• Parents and staff work together to continuously evaluate and improve programming;
• Education includes the development of creativity and perseverance and is multi-disciplinary in order to foster each child's unique strengths and interests;
• Developing independent, creative, life-long researchers, education includes curriculum designed to help scholars develop socially and emotionally as well as cognitively;
• Diversity is celebrated and explored so that learners develop broad perspectives on life and learning;
• Parents and caregivers support their children financially and emotionally. 

Position Description: Human Resources Generalist

Reports to: Chief Human Resources Officer

SUPPORTS:  Associate Director of Human Resources

Status: Exempt

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Human Resources Generalist serves as a key member of the Human Resources team and is responsible for supporting the daily execution of a broad range of HR functions, including employee support, recruitment, onboarding, benefits administration, payroll support, compliance, employee records management, reporting, and employee engagement initiatives. This position acts as the primary first point of contact for employees and managers seeking HR support and plays a critical role in delivering a positive employee experience.

The Human Resources Generalist reports to the Chief Human Resources Officer and works closely with the Assistant Director of Human Resources to ensure efficient and effective HR service delivery across the organization while maintaining compliance with all organizational, licensing, regulatory, and funder requirements. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Employee Support & Human Resources Administration (40%)

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee questions regarding HR policies, procedures, benefits, payroll, employment verification, and other employment-related matters.
• Manage the Human Resources email inbox and ensure timely responses and resolution of employee inquiries.
• Provide exceptional customer service and support to employees, supervisors, and applicants.
• Prepare employment verifications, reference requests, PSLF forms, and other employee documentation.
• Maintain HR calendars, department files, and HR records.
• Coordinate HR communications, meetings, trainings, and departmental logistics.
• Provide administrative support to the Chief Human Resources Officer and Assistant Director of Human Resources.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive employee and organizational information.
• Support employee relations matters by responding to routine inquiries and directing more complex issues to HR leadership.

Recruitment & Onboarding (20%)

• Coordinate recruitment activities for open positions, including job postings, applicant tracking, interview scheduling, and candidate communications.
• Conduct initial candidate screenings and support hiring managers throughout the hiring process.
• Participate in recruitment events, career fairs, and community outreach activities.
• Assist with offer preparation and pre-employment processes.
• Coordinate onboarding activities for all new hires.
• Ensure completion of required hiring, licensing, DCFS, DFSS, CPS, and organizational documentation.
• Support new employee orientation and onboarding activities.
• Conduct new hire follow-up and 30-, 60-, and 90-day check-ins to support employee retention. 

Compliance, Reporting & HRIS Administration (20%)

• Maintain complete and accurate personnel files in compliance with agency, licensing, legal, and funder requirements.
• Monitor employee records and credentials to ensure compliance requirements are met.
• Maintain employee data in ADP and Frontline Education.
• Support audits, licensing reviews, compliance monitoring visits, and accreditation activities.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual HR reports.
• Track staffing, recruitment, turnover, and retention metrics.
• Assist with HR process improvement initiatives and documentation.

Payroll & Benefits Administration (10%)

• Support biweekly payroll processing and payroll-related reporting.
• Ensure employee information and personnel changes are accurately processed in HR and payroll systems.
• Respond to employee payroll and benefit inquiries.
• Assist with administration of employee benefits programs.
• Support annual Open Enrollment activities and employee communications.
• Assist with benefits reconciliation and unemployment claim administration. 

Employee Engagement & Special Projects (10%)

• Support employee recognition, wellness, appreciation, and engagement initiatives.
• Assist with organizational events and HR-sponsored programs.
• Promote Christopher House's mission, values, and culture through all employee interactions.
• Participate in special projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Minimum of 1-3 years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience.
• Experience supporting multiple HR functions, including payroll administration, benefit administration, employee support, onboarding, recruiting, compliance, and HR administration.
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to build positive working relationships with employees at all levels.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Savvy with use of technology.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams.
• Ability to successfully pass all required background checks and screenings.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• SHRM-CP or PHR certification, or active pursuit of certification.
• Experience working in a nonprofit, education, social services, or mission-driven organization.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now or similar HRIS/payroll systems.
• Experience with Frontline.
• Knowledge of Illinois employment laws and compliance requirements.
• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency.

SALARY RANGE:   $52,000 $60,000 annually

Christopher House is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran's status, or, any other protected characteristic.