Muscatine Power and Water logo

Human Resources Generalist I-II

Muscatine Power and Water
Full-time
On-site
Muscatine, Iowa, United States
$60,000 - $76,000 USD yearly
HR Professional

Job Purpose

To support the day to day operations of the Human Resources Department including staffing, benefits administration, policy development and compliance, employee relations, data management and reporting, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Specific Responsibilities.

  1. Lead talent acquisition, onboarding, and performance management processes, including:
  1. Administration of the recruitment cycle for salary and union positions by working with Hiring Manager to identify current and future department staffing needs, job description and interview question creation or revisions, posting and advertising (including internal/external job fairs), application screening, interviewing, assessment administration, support throughout recommendation, compensation guidance, offer/negotiations, pre-employment requirements etc. to ensure a successful hire.
  1. Posting Utility wide announcements of new hires, transfers, promotions, retirements and separations.
  1. Oversight of the Utility's onboarding process for new hires and position changes, including conducting orientations, scheduling follow-up meetings, and monitoring tasks for completion.
  1. Ownership of performance management process, including tasks such as creating and modifying performance appraisal templates in performance management system, tracking status of reviews, reporting on delinquent reviews, integration with HRIS, etc.
  1. Administer employee benefits programs and systems while ensuring compliance in the areas of:
  1. Administer employee benefits programs, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, FMLA/LTD, Norton Life Lock and retirement plans by overseeing enrollment processes, and resolve benefits-related issues.
  1. Communicate details about benefits and act as the primary contact for daily employee inquiries.
  1. Ensure compliance with state and federal laws, maintain accurate records, and collaborate with benefits providers.
  1. Coordinate open enrollment, manage vendors and conduct data analysis.
  1. Responsible for overall data entry and management of HRIS, including employee benefit systems. Promote HRIS self-service options and other ways to maximize the use of HRIS to Utility employees and management. Ensure required documents are processed through payroll and insurance providers to facilitate accurate recordkeeping and proper deductions. Process monthly billings from insurance providers and perform data reconciliation and analysis. Review billings for accuracy and resolve discrepancies with carriers.
  1. Prepare compliance reports and maintain regulatory records, including:
  1. Compile information for HR Manager for required reports and filings for benefit providers, government agencies, and other organizations to ensure compliance.
  1. Accountable for maintaining records of EEO-1/FCC 396-C and corresponding information to prepare and submit annual reports and other reports as needed to ensure compliance.
  1. Assist with employee engagement activities and benefits enrollment events:
  1. Act as a champion for various employee relations activities supporting Utility initiatives such as United Way, Public Power Week, Employee Recognition Luncheon, Retirement Commemorations, Retirement Breakfast, Holiday Spirit Month, Biometric Screenings, Blood Drive, Vaccination Clinic, Benefit On-Site Vendors, Open Enrollment and various days of celebration.
  1. Coordinate and conduct annual Open Enrollment period during the 4th quarter of each year, including employee presentations, communicating changes to employees, arranging on-site representation by providers as applicable, distribution of materials, and oversee processing of changes within specified deadlines.
  1. Build strategic HR partnerships and support employee development by:
  1. Serve as a liaison between Human Resources and Utility departments, understanding their specific needs and aligning HR initiatives with overall Utility objectives.
  1. Foster positive employee relations to enhance employee engagement, satisfaction and retention.
  1. Identify training needs and assist with Roundtables and Study Hall discussions to foster employee development and enhanced learning.
  1. Generate data points to provide HR and Senior Leadership to assist in decision-making of staffing and benefit administration.
  1. Provide coaching and mentorship to both leadership and employees during transitions.
  1. Drive Process Improvements to Enhance HR Department Efficiency
  1. Identify and develop processes to streamline efficiencies within the HR department.

Other Responsibilities

  1. Act as backup for the Administrative Assistant (Employee Services).
  1. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge

  1. Bachelor's degree, preferably in business administration, Human Resources, or industrial relations, or equivalent combination of education and experience .
  1. HR Generalist I is an entry level position: HR Generalist II requires a minimum 5 years of HR Generalist experience with exposure to functional areas of HR; previous benefits administration, HRIS, and payroll experience preferred. Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification preferred. If obtained, certification must be maintained while employed in the position.
  1. HR Generalist I: Basic knowledge of core HR operations, including staffing, onboarding, benefits processing, FMLA, and learning & development logistics. Ability to follow established procedures, recognize when to escalate complex or ambiguous cases, and manage routine tasks independently with guidance. Familiarity with supporting HR projects and providing limited interpretation of policies.
  1. HR Generalist II: Comprehensive understanding of HR data analytics, including headcount, turnover, compensation, engagement, benefits, and performance metrics. Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data using mid- to advanced analytical methods, prepare reports and dashboards, and ensure compliance through accurate reporting. Operates independently on recurring reporting and basic analysis, provides actionable insights to HR leadership and senior management, and contributes to process improvements and data-driven HR decisions. Acts as a mentor to HR Generalist I.
  1. Must have previous knowledge and experience with, or ability to effectively acquire knowledge of the following:
  1. Specialized training in employment law, compensation, organizational planning, organizational development, employee relations, safety, training, and labor relations.
  1. Presentation skills to train, educate, or share information to diverse groups of employees.
  1. HRIS administration.

Skills

  1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  1. Excellent interpersonal and listening skills, with ability to build productive professional relationships and promote a team atmosphere.
  1. Proficiency with use of Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, Teams, Copilot and Power Point at an intermediate level.
  1. Good judgment and reasoning skills.
  1. Problem identification, analysis, and solving.

Abilities

  1. Ability to work as part of a team, either as team leader or a member of a team.
  1. Ability to drive results and ensure work is accomplished properly, safely, and in a timely manner.
  1. Ability to influence or defuse as needed.
  1. Ability to use discretion in maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information.
  1. Ability to work independently, effectively prioritize work, manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and adjust work priorities as needed to meet department/organizational objectives.

Other Position Requirements

  1. Must possess a valid driver's license.
  1. Must be able to attend work on a regular basis and work extended hours as needed.

Work Environment

  1. Work environment is primarily in an office environment. Regular visits to offices at an industrial coal-fired power plant may be .
  1. Must comply with all safety and site rules at all locations.