Background on UTEC, INC.:

UTEC’s promise is to ignite and nurture the ambition of our most disengaged youth to trade violence and poverty for social and economic success. UTEC’s outcomes-focused model begins with intensive street outreach, reaching proven high-risk youth “where they’re at.” UTEC engages youth in workforce development and educational programs and provides intensive case management. Social justice and civic engagement are embedded in all programming.

Serving young adults throughout Merrimack Valley (Lowell, Lawrence and Haverhill), UTEC was founded in 1999 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young adults (ages 17-25) overcome the very real challenges of poverty, gang involvement, and unemployment. UTEC reaches 500+ youth annually through an evidence-based model aimed at reducing recidivism while increasing education and employment attainment. For more info, please visit www.utecinc.org.

Job Summary:

The Human Resources (HR) Associate’s primary responsibilities will include the following functional areas: benefit administration, administrative support, recruitment and onboarding. Responsibilities also include supporting benefits enrollment, overseeing leave coordination and administration, and collaborating with other teams on cross-functional projects. The HR Associate works closely with various departments, including Payroll and Finance, and all supervisors.

Ideal candidates have a strong customer service approach; the ability to work on multiple projects and initiatives; can maintain the day-to-day administrative functions of the department; have an enthusiasm for learning; and demonstrate an excellent attention to detail. To support and maintain employee trust in the HR team, the HR Associate must have a deep commitment and practiced skills at protecting and maintaining the confidentiality of personnel matters.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Leave ofAbsence Administration - 15%

• Manage and execute leave programs including FMLA, LOA, Time- Off, ADA leave, parental leave, medical leave, unpaid leave, and related workers compensation
  • Proficient knowledge of FMLA, ADA, EEOC, and compliance regulations to identify trends, provide recommendations, and develop action plans
  • Update employee data entry to help facilitate seamless payroll processing
• Partner with vendors as related to Massachusetts Paid Family Leave, workers compensation, and life insurance
• Partner with the Payroll team and work collaboratively to resolve any issues
• Effective communication with theHR team regarding employees on leave or workers compensation claims
• Ensure employees feel knowledgeable and supported upon inquiring about leave throughout the leave process, and upon return from leave
• Provide clear communication and create tools to support employee’s opportunities to understand their leave benefits

Benefits Management - 40%

• Ensure benefit vendor systems are maintained with accurate information and updated with any changes in a timely manner
• Track employee benefit information in vendor systems and coordinate any changes with payroll Annual CORI & SORI Administration and upon hiring of new employees
• Manage the annual Benefits Open Enrollment and 401K and 453B retirement plan processes
• Work closely with benefits vendors to ensure compliance with mandated regulations and required communications – ERISA, FMLA, Medicare, COBRA etc.
• Assist employees with benefits enrollment and provide plan education as needed
• Manage employment verifications from outside agencies such as Housing, Mortgage, Financial Institutions, Income and Termination Verifications, etc..
• Assist with Unemployment Claims/Processing:
  • Ensure Claims are reviewed and processed in a timely manner to ensure compliance with state deadlines
  • Manage unemployment claims to include attendance at hearings, when applicable.
• Ensure employee benefit questions are answered timely and accurately
• Support other responsibilities and projects within benefits as needed

Recruitment-10%

Independently, or in partnership with recruitment firm:

• Support recruitment strategies to attract, screen, and hire quality professionals who meet meet UTEC’s staffing goals via:
  • Support scheduling internal candidates as necessary
  • Ensure the application process is positive for all candidates, hired or not
  • Identify positions to be prioritized and highlighted via UTEC website and e-blasts

Onboarding- 5%

• Manages all onboarding processes and activities, including but not limited to:
  • Submission of CORI/SORI checks
  • Verification of I-9 documents
  • Communication with managers to gather critical documents and information (new hire applications, employment authorization cards, I-9’s etc.)
  • Ensuring Information Technology is prepared and available on day one of employment
  • Meeting with new hires to assist in completing applications onboarding process in Kronos
  • Perform monthly benefit invoice reconciliations – which include but not limited to Health (medical, dental), Disability, and Retirement 401(k)

Administrative- 30%

• Tracks and reports key metrics related to hiring, costs, benefits, etc.
• Manages documentation and storage of all HR document repository
• Assists the HR team with projects as necessary
• Ensures all personnel matters are well documented and stored in an organized, confidential and secure manner.
• Supports HR policy development as requested
• Schedules exit interviews and support onboarding documentation

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated interpersonal, presentation, and organizational skills
• A strong background with pertinent federal and MA state regulations affecting employee benefit programs, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, and SECTION 125.
• The ability to handle multiple projects/tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and able to interact with employees at all levels
• Proficiency with MS Office and Excel
• Ability to be flexible, self-directed, and motivated
• Strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate a high level of responsibility and multiple priorities
• Must demonstrate strong collaborative skills and teamwork, with an excellent attention to detail and ability to work independently
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with a high level of integrity and complete confidentiality at all times
• Desire to learn and work in fast paced organization
• Proactive to identify problems and come up with solutions

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources or Business or English
• 2-3 years of experience in Human Resources
• Talent management experience

Salary range is $51,000- $66,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits include retirement 401K plan, health and dental (50-85% subsidized), 3 weeks paid vacation, holiday, and paid sick/personal time. UTEC's benefits plan also includes the opportunity for a paid sabbatical after 3 years, first-time homebuyers funding, and free counseling for all staff. Please see www.utecinc.org/jobs for more details.

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