The Economic Policy Institute (EPI), the nation’s leading progressive economic think tank, is seeking a Human Resources Generalist who is a collaborative team member that has demonstrated experience in overall HR operations. This is a new position that reports to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and provides additional support to the operations team.

Please note that EPI is a hybrid workplace with attendance in our Washington, DC, office required at least two days per week (currently Tuesday and Wednesday).

What You Will Do

The main responsibilities of the Human Resources Generalist:

Recruitment

• Collaborate with hiring managers to create detailed job descriptions, craft hiring committees and post job announcements.
• Schedule interviews and assist with the interview process – may conduct screening interviews or be asked to serve on hiring committees.
• Stay abreast of recruiting trends and best practices and ensure all screening, hiring, and selection is done equitably and in accordance with employment laws and regulations.
• Manage records for recruitment process (including researching and implementing an ATS system)

Employee Benefits

• Manage employee health and dental benefits including open enrollment.
• Become an expert on the full range of employee benefits offered by EPI.
• Provide information to employees on all employee benefits.
• Work with benefits broker to ensure employee information and enrollments and billing is up to date throughout the year.

Onboarding/Offboarding

• Establish a formalized process for onboarding and offboarding employees.
• Schedule and coordinate onboarding for all employees.
• Provide generalized training on benefits and office protocols.
• Track 30/60/90 checks-ins and stay interviews/surveys.
• Ensure offboarding is complete and schedule and assist with exit interviews.

Performance Management

• In conjunction with the COO, Senior leadership, EPI’s union, and EPI’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI) Committee, review and establish a formal process for six-month and annual performance reviews.
• Ensure that performance reviews are completed in a timely manner.

Culture/Climate

• Proactively consider EPI’s staff culture and well-being and propose and implement activities and trainings to improve culture.
• Actively work with the EDI committee and make suggestions for integrating EDI best practices into HR policy and hiring practices.
• Create and maintain multi-state employee handbook ensuring that policies reflect EPI’s values.

• Coordinate internship and fellowship programs.
• In conjunction with the COO, establish an HR Information Systems and maintain physical and digital employee records and reports.
• Oversee employee labor laws and regulations to assure compliance.
• Recommend and develop employee relations practices to foster a positive employer-employee relationship.
• Provide HR policy guidance and interpretation.
• Respond to HR inquiries, resolving them or directing them appropriately to other resources.
• Other human resources and administrative duties as needed and assigned.
• Manage and plan employee trainings (harassment, etc.)

Who You Are

We do not expect that every candidate will have this full range of experience, but the following qualities and experience are highly desirable:

Proficiency in:

• Ability to work collaboratively both with union and non-union employees and all levels of staff. Embraces diversity.
• Ability to exercise mature judgement and to demonstrate discretion and sensitivity dealing with confidential information.
• Has knowledge of employee benefits management.
• Has experience with employee onboarding, offboarding and recruiting.
• Understands basic legal rules around employment in Washington DC and keeps up to date on requirements for remote locations.
• Strong organizational skills, including ability to multitask, prioritize, and make decisions.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Teams, Slack or related software and knowledge of HRIS systems and payroll systems such as ADP.
• Commitment to social justice & racial equity.
• Knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues, and a commitment to EPI’s mission.

Preferred

• A passion for social and economic justice issues.
• Experience working for a mid to large scale nonprofit organization.
• Experience working in a union environment

Education: B.A./B.S. or equivalent professional experience
Experience: 5 to 10 years of human resources experience

Salary and Benefits

EPI is a unionized workplace with the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). This position is not in the bargaining unit and reports to the Chief Operating Officer.

The salary for this position ranges from $85,000 to $105,000, dependent on experience, plus benefits.

EPI offers an excellent benefits package, including generous paid time off, a 9.25% employer-provided 401k retirement contribution, eight weeks of parental leave, and fully employer-funded medical, vision, dental, short- and long-term disability, and life insurance for individual employees.

Location

This position is based at the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. As a condition of employment, EPI requires all staff to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination which meets the guidelines recommended by the CDC. Currently, the CDC recommends that everyone ages five years and older receive 1 dose of updated (2023–­2024 Formula) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

To Apply

Candidates should send a cover letter highlighting their relevant experience and explaining their interest in working at the Economic Policy Institute, along with resume, to epijobs@epi.org with “Position Title – Last Name, First Name” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

EPI believes that having a diverse and inclusive workplace not only strengthens the institute’s work but is also essential for understanding and creating economic policies that support all working people. We encourage applicants who bring lived experience and nontraditional backgrounds to apply to our positions.

EPI is an equal opportunity, fair chance, affirmative action employer, committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior history of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, caregiver status, or other categories protected by law.

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