Human Resources Generalist

The Wildlife Center of Virginia is an internationally acclaimed teaching and research hospital for wildlife and conservation medicine, located in Waynesboro, Virginia, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. The Center’s mission is to “teach the world to care about and care for wildlife and the environment.” Since its founding in 1982, the Center has cared for more than 100,000 wild animals, representing 200 species of native birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

The current annual caseload averages about 4,600 patients.

The Wildlife Center has a professional staff of about 35 individuals who work together in the veterinary, outreach, operations, and advancement departments. While each of these departments carries out different functions, all staff work closely together as a team to support one another and the Center’s overall mission.

Position Description

The Human Resources Generalist is responsible for the day-to-day administration and coordination of the Wildlife Center of Virginia’s human resources functions. This position manages core HR processes throughout the employee lifecycle, including recruitment coordination, onboarding and offboarding, payroll and benefits administration, personnel records, performance review processes, employee training, and HR compliance.

Working closely with the Operations Manager and managers throughout the organization, the Human Resources Generalist serves as a resource for employees and managers, maintains effective and up-to-date HR systems and processes, anticipates recurring needs and deadlines, and identifies opportunities to improve HR practices. The position also coordinates selected organization-wide administrative processes and initiatives.

Human Resources Administration

Manage day-to-day human resources administration, ensuring recurring responsibilities, deadlines, and employee needs are addressed accurately and on time.

Coordinate payroll preparation, review employee timecards for accuracy, administer PTO and leave tracking, and ensure employee changes, deductions, retirement contributions, and other payroll-related information are processed accurately and on schedule.

Administer employee benefits, including enrollment, eligibility, employee changes, annual open enrollment, and communication with employees and benefit providers.

Maintain accurate and confidential personnel files, HR records, required training documentation, and other employment records.

Coordinate recruitment processes in partnership with hiring managers, including job postings, applicant tracking, interview logistics, and related communications.

Own and coordinate employee onboarding and offboarding, including required documentation, orientation, benefits information and enrollment, internal coordination, and maintenance and improvement of related processes and materials.

Administer introductory and annual performance review processes, including launching review cycles, tracking completion, maintaining documentation, and assisting managers and employees with HR systems and procedures.

Serve as a first point of contact for routine employee questions and concerns regarding benefits, payroll, leave, policies, procedures, and other HR matters; research questions as needed and appropriately elevate complex or sensitive matters to the Operations Manager.

Maintain and regularly review the employee handbook, HR policies, procedures, forms, and related resources; identify needed updates and coordinate revisions with the Operations Manager.

Monitor applicable employment requirements and HR compliance responsibilities; maintain required records, identify potential gaps or needed changes, and bring recommendations to the Operations Manager.

Coordinate HR-related employee…