Overview
The Human Resources Specialist is an essential member of the Human Resources team, delivering knowledgeable, strategic, and responsive HR support to employees and leaders across the Thornapple Manor campus. This role focuses on leave administration, employment law and regulatory compliance, workers’ compensation, employee development and recognition, performance management systems, HRIS administration, and HR data analysis.
You will act as a trusted resource for employees and department leaders, providing guidance on HR policies, employment practices, compliance requirements, and employee-related matters. Success in this position requires strong judgment, discretion, attention to detail, and the ability to interpret complex information and translate it into practical solutions.
The ideal candidate is highly organized and proactive, comfortable working independently while collaborating closely with the Human Resources team and other departments. This role helps maintain compliant HR practices, supports employee engagement and development, and uses HR data and technology to improve organizational effectiveness.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Leave Administration & Compliance
- Administer employee leave programs, including FMLA, ADA-related leave and accommodations, short-term and long-term disability, military leave, and other applicable federal, state, and organizational leave programs.
- Maintain accurate and timely leave records, documentation, communications, and required notices.
- Monitor employee leave status and coordinate with employees, leaders, benefit providers, and other applicable parties.
- Interpret and apply federal and state employment laws, regulations, and organizational policies.
- Support maintenance of HR policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable employment laws and regulations.
- Research emerging employment law and regulatory changes and communicate relevant updates to leadership.
Workers’ Compensation & Employee Safety
- Coordinate workers’ compensation claims from initial report through resolution in partnership with employees, managers, medical providers, insurance representatives, and other applicable parties.
- Ensure required workers’ compensation documentation and reporting are completed accurately and on time.
- Monitor claims, restrictions, return-to-work processes, and related documentation.
- Assist with identifying trends and opportunities to reduce workplace injuries and improve employee safety.
- Support compliance with applicable workplace safety and employment regulations.
Employee Relations & Performance Management
- Serve as a resource to employees and managers regarding HR policies, workplace concerns, performance issues, and employee relations matters.
- Provide guidance to leaders regarding performance management, corrective action, attendance, workplace conduct, and policy application.
- Administer and support the organization’s employee evaluation and performance management system.
- Monitor evaluation completion and assist leaders with goal setting, feedback, documentation, and performance development.
- Maintain appropriate confidentiality and documentation related to employee relations matters.
Training and Employee Development
- Coordinate employee training programs, including required compliance and regulatory training.
- Monitor training completion and maintain accurate training records.
- Assist with identifying training and development needs and recommend opportunities to strengthen employee skills and organizational effectiveness.
- Support leadership development and other organizational development initiatives.
- Assist with new employee orientation and other employee education initiatives as needed.
Employee Recognition & Engagement
- Coordinate employee recognition programs and initiatives designed to promote employee engagement, appreciation, and retention.
- Assist with planning and implementation of employee events, recognition activities, and organizational engagement initiatives.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen employee experience and workplace culture.
HRIS & Data Management
- Serve as a knowledgeable resource for HRIS systems and related HR technology.
- Maintain accurate employee information and HR records within applicable systems.
- Use HRIS systems to manage, retrieve, analyze, and report employee data.
- Identify opportunities to improve HR processes through effective use of technology and automation.
- Prepare HR reports, spreadsheets, and data analysis to support operational and strategic decision-making.
- Maintain a high level of accuracy and confidentiality when handling sensitive employee information.
Recruitment & Staffing Support
- Support recruitment and staffing activities in collaboration with department leaders and the Human Resources team.
- Assist with job postings, applicant tracking, interview scheduling, candidate communication, and pre-employment requirements as needed.
- Coordinate and monitor pre-employment screenings, background checks, required documentation, and onboarding processes.
- Ensure recruitment and onboarding practices align with organizational policies and applicable employment laws and regulations.
- Maintain accurate recruitment records and utilize HRIS or applicant tracking systems to support staffing processes.
- Assist with identifying opportunities to improve the candidate experience and streamline recruitment and onboarding procedures.
Payroll Administration & Support
- Support payroll processing by reviewing employee data, timekeeping records, pay changes, leave information, and other payroll-related documentation for accuracy.
- Coordinate with payroll and department leaders to research and resolve discrepancies involving employee pay, timekeeping, leave, and attendance.
- Maintain accurate employee records related to compensation changes, deductions, job status, and other payroll-related transactions.
- Ensure employee status changes, new hires, terminations, and other applicable HR transactions are processed accurately and on time.
- Assist with payroll audits, reconciliations, reporting, and compliance with applicable wage and hour laws and organizational policies.
- Maintain confidentiality and accuracy when handling payroll and compensation information.
- Identify opportunities to improve payroll-related workflows, data accuracy, and coordination between Human Resources, payroll, and department leadership.
Administrative & Strategic HR Support
- Assist with HR projects, initiatives, audits, and organizational priorities.
- Analyze HR processes and recommend improvements that increase efficiency, compliance, and employee service.
- Assist with audits and regulatory requests involving employee records, benefits, leave, training, and other HR functions.
- Maintain current knowledge of employment practices, HR trends, healthcare workforce issues, and applicable regulations.
- Provide backup support for other HR functions as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Personnel Functions
- Assist with orientation of newly assigned personnel as directed.
- Interpret department policies and procedures for personnel, residents, visitors, etc., as directed.
- Develop and maintain a good working rapport with inter-departmental personnel and other departments within the facility.
- Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, positive emphasis, and a calm environment throughout the unit and shift.
- Attend and participate in annual OSHA and CDC in-service training programs for hazard communication, TB management, and blood borne pathogen standards.
- Attend and participate in in-service training programs for staff and the community.
Location and Compensation
Work location: Thornapple Manor Campus
Location: Hastings, MI 49058
Salary range: $27 to $36/hr based on experience
Department: Human Resources/Finance
Reports to: Director of Finance
