Human Resources Generalist

The Human Resources (HR) Generalist is responsible for the provision of day-to-day operations in support of the HR Department. All work is performed in accordance with City policies and procedures, in addition to local, state, and federal regulations.

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

May be the primary or backup for the following HR functions:

• Implements HR policies and procedures, as directed by the Director, Deputy Director or HR Manager
• Maintains compliance with State and Federal regulations concerning employment
• Maintains knowledge of HR best practices and trends, existing and new legislation
• Maintains positive employee relations
• Performs department financial functions (i.e., budget, payroll, contracts & invoices), under direction
• Prepares fiscal reports, public records requests, and other administrative reports & documents
• Provides assistance and information to outside agencies, as directed
• Provides assistance with the administration of FMLA and other forms of leave
• Supports Civil Service processes to hire and promote public safety employees
• Provides general information and assistance to City Department managers and staff regarding HR policies and practices, including the posting of all current employment laws and updates; coordinates City website updates for HR pages.
• Assists Employee Engagement Specialist in new hire onboarding and orientation; processes new hires, employee transfers, promotions and terminations; schedules pre-employment physicals as needed.
• Oversees unemployment compensation and payment of invoices
• Maintains employee data records, current and archived in accordance with department protocols and federal and state retention regulations and schedules
• Conducts annual I-9 audit and maintains I-9 records in accordance with Federal regulations
• Along other staff, attends office counter, greeting and assisting members of the public and directing them to the appropriate staff person as required
• Oversees the schedule and work of seasonal and part-time staff
• Oversees and maintains office supply inventory
• Performs other related duties as required and assigned.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Few physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. May also be some occasional lifting of objects such as office equipment and computer paper (up to 30 lbs.) Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone, personal computer and/or most other office equipment including word processing, filing and sorting of papers.

Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.

Hours: Full-time, City Hall Hours
Salary: $75,000-$78,000 annualized, plus benefits. 
Union: Non-Union
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Date Posted: July 29th, 2026

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Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact the ADA Coordinator at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov.

Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:

• MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance
• Completion of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for municipal employees

• 4 weeks annual vacation for non-union positions. Union positions vary by contract. Please note, police officers are members of the SPEA union. Public Health Nurses are part of Union A (SMEA).
• Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
• Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
• Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Long term disability through Sun Life
• Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
• Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
• Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
• Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
• Annual cancer screening & wellness release
• Somerville Retirement Pension System
• Tuition reimbursement
• MBTA pass program
• FREE Blue Bikes membership
• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)