Human Resources Associate

Hammer & NER is seeking a Human Resources Associate to support the Human Resources and Training team from an onsite location in Wayzata, MN. In this role, you will coordinate a variety of HR initiatives that require a high level of confidentiality, serving as a key contact for employee HR requests while also helping drive talent recruitment and onboarding.

Role Overview

You will provide general administrative support across HR functions, including acting as a primary conduit for employee-related HR requests. Secondary responsibilities include leading talent recruitment and acquisition efforts. You will also support employee onboarding, payroll and benefits, and performance management and appraisal activities. This position reports directly to the Chief Human Resources Officer, and the expectations include centering and modeling Hammer’s core values: Person-Centered, Relational, Opportunistic, and Stewardship.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the first point of contact through voicemail and email to triage employee HR questions, then respond and/or route requests to the appropriate team member.
• Manage the HRIS database and maintain personnel filing and archiving systems; ensure electronic file data integrity and scan/store documents according to record retention practices.
• Complete employment authorization and personnel file requests in a timely manner.
• Oversee, maintain, and update HR-related materials on SharePoint.
• Run reports, analyze HR data, and compile information into reports and presentations as requested.
• Support DEI work by distributing email communications and handling cohort administration and meeting room setup.
• Assist with employee engagement initiatives, including events, celebrations, and recognition programs.
• Support performance management activities, including tracking performance appraisals and maintaining required documentation.
• Prepare HR documentation such as reports, correspondence, notices, memoranda, charts, forms, and agendas.
• Apply Hammer’s recruitment and staffing strategies to attract, retain, and engage a committed workforce while ensuring processes comply with legal standards.
• Champion DEI by promoting hiring processes designed to recruit candidates mixed across lines of difference.
• Create, post, and maintain job postings and advertisements.
• Monitor, track, and update candidate application statuses and recruitment progress in the HRIS.
• Communicate with candidates and schedule interviews.
• Lead and conduct interviews with candidates via Teams and in-person.
• Make offer calls, complete background checks, draft offer letters, and communicate key onboarding information to new hires.
• Ensure compliance with the Minnesota Wage Theft Prevention Act and maintain knowledge of local, state, and federal employment laws and regulations.
• Oversee TB testing processes, including authorization, tracking, and employee communications.
• Build and maintain new employee onboarding and orientation processes through Paylocity, including orientation packets, training room setup (tables, coffee, snacks), badge photo handling, lunch ordering, supervisor attendance updates, onboarding packet support and completion, and employee profile setups.
• Track upcoming start dates and provide hiring managers with a pre-start checklist.
• Send and process new hire and stay employment surveys.
• Assist the training department as needed with new employee orientation and other interdepartmental activities.

Required Qualifications

• Administrative and/or Human Resources Assistant experience in a mid-sized organization; formal, informal, and cross-disciplinary experience will be considered, and prior HR experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated use of media platforms (internet, job sites, social media, etc.) to support recruitment and candidate sourcing.
• Knowledge and ability to use HRIS systems, including reporting, applicant tracking, and personnel file data storage.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities to complete work in a timely and productive manner.
• Proven communication skills, demonstrating effective and persuasive verbal and written communication across individuals and groups.
• Working knowledge of local, state, and federal employment laws and regulations is preferred.
• Experience exercising professional discretion and maintaining confidentiality for HR-related matters.
• Diplomatic interaction skills across a wide variety of people, including public speaking ability, strong organization, and high attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google applications.
• Physical ability to frequently use a telephone, type, work several hours at a desk and computer, and bend/stand/stoop/walk, with the ability to lift up to 30 pounds.
• Willingness and ability to travel between office locations.
• Experience, ability, and commitment to working with individuals and teams mixed across lines of difference (race, gender-identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, class, and immigrant status).
• Willingness to work flexible hours/days, including occasional evenings and weekends, based on the organization’s schedule.

Technologies

• HRIS, SharePoint, Paylocity, Teams
• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Google applications
• Applicant tracking, personnel file data storage systems

Schedule and Status

• Full Time, Non-Exempt-Hourly
• Primarily Monday to Friday days
• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required
• Must be willing to travel routinely between the White Bear Lake and Wayzata offices

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is USD 50,000 - 60,000 per year.

• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off
• Health Insurance (30 hours and above)
• Dental Insurance (30 hours and above)
• Vision Insurance (20 hours and above)
• Life Insurance
• Paid Training
• Disability Insurance
• Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Parental Leave
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Savings Account
• Access to an Employee Success Coach who assists employees within their first year of employment

Note: This job description assigns essential functions and does not restrict tasks that may be required currently or in the future.