POSITION SUMMARY

The HR Generalist – Payroll, Recruitment & Benefits Support serves as a key operational resource within the Human Resources & Compliance Department, providing hands-on support across multiple HR functions with a primary concentration in payroll administration, recruitment activities, and employee benefits support. This role is designed to provide the department with greater flexibility, continuity, and operational capacity by supporting critical HR processes that require accuracy, responsiveness, confidentiality, and consistent follow-through.

The position plays an important role in supporting the day-to-day execution of payroll-related activities, including reviewing employee information, assisting with timekeeping and payroll discrepancies, following up on missing or incomplete documentation, responding to routine employee inquiries, and helping ensure payroll information is accurate and submitted within established deadlines. Because payroll is a highly time-sensitive function, the HR Generalist is expected to demonstrate a strong sense of urgency, attention to detail, and accountability while working closely with the Payroll Specialist and other stakeholders involved in the payroll process.

In recruitment, the HR Generalist provides ongoing support to help the organization maintain appropriate staffing levels and a strong candidate pipeline. Responsibilities may include candidate outreach, resume and application review, pre-screening, interview coordination, candidate follow-up, recruitment events, maintenance of applicant records, and other activities that support an organized and efficient hiring process. The position may be called upon to provide additional recruitment support during periods of high-volume hiring or when staffing needs require increased HR involvement.

The HR Generalist also provides support with employee benefits administration, particularly during Open Enrollment and other high-volume benefits periods. This may include assisting with employee communications, enrollment coordination, benefits documentation, employee questions, follow-up on incomplete enrollment actions, and collaboration with internal HR team members and external benefits partners. The position is expected to provide clear and professional employee support while recognizing when benefits-related questions or concerns require escalation to the appropriate subject matter expert.

Key Work Responsibilities But Not Limited To:

Payroll Support

• Partner closely with the Payroll Specialist in the preparation and processing of weekly and/or biweekly payroll activities.
  • Support with employee timecards, time entries, punches, paid time off requests, and other payroll-related information for accuracy and completeness.
  • Assist with identifying and researching payroll discrepancies before payroll is finalized.
  • Support the Payroll Specialist with follow up with supervisors, managers, General Managers, Assistant General Managers, and other appropriate personnel regarding missing or inaccurate payroll information.
  • Assist with payroll adjustments, corrections, retroactive payments, and other payroll-related transactions as directed.
  • Support the review and validation of payroll reports before and after payroll processing.
  • Assist with maintaining accurate payroll records and supporting documentation.
  • Respond to routine employee payroll inquiries and escalate complex matters to the Payroll Specialist or appropriate HR leadership.
  • Assist with auditing payroll-related information to identify trends, recurring errors, or opportunities for process improvement.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality regarding employee compensation, payroll, and other sensitive information.
  • Provide backup payroll support during absences, peak processing periods, and other operational needs.
  • Assist with payroll year closing

Recruitment Support

• Partner with the Recruitment Specialist to support the organization's ongoing recruitment and staffing initiatives.
  • Assist with posting open positions on approved recruitment platforms.
  • Review applications and resumes based on established job qualifications.
  • Conduct initial candidate screening and pre-screening activities as assigned.
  • Contact candidates to coordinate interviews, recruitment events, hiring appointments, and follow-up activities.
  • Assist with recruitment outreach initiatives, job fairs, hiring events, and community recruitment activities.
  • Maintain accurate candidate information and recruitment records.
  • Assist in tracking candidates throughout the recruitment and pre-employment process.
  • Communicate professionally and consistently with candidates regarding their application status and next steps.
  • Coordinate with Hiring Managers and HR team members regarding recruitment priorities and staffing needs.
  • Assist with preparing recruitment reports and monitoring recruitment metrics such as applications, interviews, offers, hiring activity, and open positions.
  • Support high-volume recruitment initiatives for Drivers, Attendants, operational employees, and other positions as needed.

Benefits & Open Enrollment Support

• Provide additional support to the HR team before, during, and immediately following the annual Open Enrollment period.
• Assist employees with navigating the benefits enrollment process.
• Provide employees with general information regarding available benefit programs and enrollment procedures.
• Assist with scheduling and coordinating benefits information sessions and Open Enrollment activities.
• Support the distribution of benefits communications, enrollment materials, deadlines, and employee reminders.
• Assist employees with accessing benefits enrollment systems and completing required enrollment steps.
• Review enrollment information for completeness and identify missing documentation or required employee action.
• Assist with benefits-related data entry, recordkeeping, and documentation.
• Coordinate with the HR team and benefits vendors to resolve routine enrollment issues.
• Maintain confidentiality of employee benefits and personally identifiable information.
• Escalate complex benefits questions, eligibility issues, or disputes to the appropriate HR team member or benefits provider.

GENERAL HUMAN RESOURCES RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide general HR administrative and operational support based on departmental priorities.
• Respond to routine employee questions and appropriately refer or escalate matters requiring specialized HR assistance.
• Maintain accurate and organized electronic employee and HR records.
• Assist with HR audits and periodic reviews of employee information.
• Support with other employee lifecycle activities when departmental needs require additional assistance.
• Ensure HR documentation is complete, accurate, properly maintained, and handled confidentially.
• Assist with preparing HR reports, spreadsheets, trackers, correspondence, and other departmental documentation.
• Participate in departmental meetings, projects, employee outreach activities, and HR initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve HR workflows, employee service, and administrative efficiency.
• Maintain knowledge of organizational policies, procedures, collective bargaining considerations, and applicable employment practices relevant to assigned responsibilities.
• Perform additional HR-related duties and special projects as assigned by the Chief Human Resources & Compliance Officer.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Management, or a related field preferred.
• A combination of relevant education and professional HR experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of 3 – 5 years of progressive office management experience; experience in Human Resources preferred.
• Previous experience supporting payroll processing strongly preferred.
• Experience with recruitment, talent acquisition, or high-volume hiring preferred.
• Experience supporting employee benefits administration or Open Enrollment preferred.
• Experience working in a unionized, transportation, educational, operational, or high-volume workforce environment is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Bilingual English/Spanish required.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Strong Google Suite knowledge and Google Workspace
• Ability to work effectively with payroll data, employee records, spreadsheets, reports, and HR systems.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple assignments and meet strict payroll and HR deadlines.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and customer-service skills.
• Ability to communicate professionally with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive employee information.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively as part of an HR team.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
• Intermediate or advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets preferred.
• Experience working with HRIS, payroll, applicant tracking, and benefits administration systems preferred.
• UKG Pro and/or UKG Time Management experience is highly desirable.

CORE COMPETENCIES

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Accuracy & Attention to Detail – Produces reliable work and recognizes that small errors can have significant consequences, particularly in payroll and benefits administration.
• Accountability – Takes ownership of assignments, deadlines, follow-up, and results.
• Confidentiality & Professional Judgment – Handles sensitive employee and organizational information responsibly.
• Employee Service Orientation – Provides timely, respectful, and solutions-focused support to employees.
• Collaboration – Works effectively with HR colleagues, operational leaders, employees, and external partners.
• Adaptability – Effectively shifts priorities based on changing departmental and organizational needs.
• Problem Solving – Identifies issues, researches information, and recommends appropriate solutions.
• Communication – Communicates clearly, professionally, and assertively with employees and management.
• Organization & Prioritization – Manages multiple responsibilities while consistently meeting critical deadlines.
• Continuous Improvement – Looks for opportunities to strengthen processes, reduce errors, and improve efficiency.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The HR Generalist will work closely with:

• Chief Human Resources & Compliance Officer
• Payroll Specialist
• Recruitment Specialist
• HR Generalists
• Benefits Administration Team
• Compliance Team
• General Managers and Assistant General Managers
• Department Heads and Supervisors
• Employees across NYCSBUS locations
• Benefits brokers, carriers, payroll providers, and other approved external partners

NYCSBUS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in accordance with applicable federal, New York State, and New York City employment laws.