Human Resources Generalist

Salary : $87,708.00 - $112,260.00 Annually
Location : Kennewick City Hall, WA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 11.2026_HR Generalist
Department: Executive Services
Division: Human Resources
Opening Date: 11/13/2026
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: NC

Description
Application Review Process

This recruitment is open until filled, with the first review of applications scheduled for Friday, November 20, 2026.

Applications may be reviewed on a weekly basis thereafter until the position is filled.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early for priority consideration.

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Human Resources Manager, the HR Generalist has a broad scope of responsibility to support human resources programs throughout the City. Programs include recruitment and onboarding, compensation and benefits, training and development, labor relations, occupational safety and health, and HR laws and regulations. An HR Generalist will work closely with other City staff in all departments and at all levels in the organization to support the City's overall goals and objectives.

WORK SCHEDULE

HR Generalists will initially work full-time, Monday through Friday, and may be eligible for an alternate work schedule with every other Friday off work. Overtime may be occasionally required. This classification is exempt under the FLSA.

Examples of Work Performed (Illustrative Only)
The following list reflects the essential job duties and responsibilities of this classification but is not all inclusive. HR Generalists perform a variety of other related duties as required.

• Oversees all phases of recruitment and new employee onboarding by developing effective recruitment plans, creating job-specific marketing materials, identifying qualified candidates, participating in candidate interviews and evaluations, conducting new employee orientations, and facilitating smooth transitions into City employment.
• Facilitates new employee benefit enrollment, processes and assists with ongoing benefit changes, and conducts annual open enrollment; coordinates with the City's service providers concerning routine administration of various benefit and leave programs.
• Gathers and analyzes a wide variety of job-related data from comparable cities or other agencies; recommends changes to job classifications, job descriptions, compensation, or benefits when appropriate.
• Administers employee leave programs, including leave authorized under the FMLA, PFML, and all other applicable federal and state leave entitlements.
• Plans, coordinates, and facilitates City-wide training and development opportunities to promote professional development and to comply with federal, state, or other rules, regulations, and best practices.
• Supports positive relationships with the City's five labor unions; facilitates and occasionally leads routine labor/management meetings or discussions; supports labor negotiations by gathering and analyzing relevant labor market data.
• Analyzes data from HRIS systems to identify trends, support data-driven decision making, and ensure accurate and timely maintenance of employee records and HR metrics.
• Researches and recommends appropriate changes to City personnel policies in response to changing federal or state rules or regulations, as well as changing business needs.
• Participates in employment-related investigations and assists department managers in developing and administering coaching, counseling, and discipline when appropriate.

Employment Standards
This position requires an Associate's degree and at least three years of progressively responsible experience in human resources administration, or any combination of relevant education and experience sufficient to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties listed above.
The City will give preference to candidates who possess a professional human resources certification through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP) or HR Certification Institute (PHR or SPHR).
Additionally, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Must pass a criminal background investigation.
• Must maintain a level of mental and physical fitness required to perform the essential functions of
  this classification.

Supplemental Requirements
To perform the essential functions of the classification, incumbents must be able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Must demonstrate broad knowledge of Microsoft Operating Systems and Microsoft Office Suite products, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of federal and state employment laws as they relate to public sector employers.
• Must demonstrate high level of interpersonal skills and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations and documentation.
• Must demonstrate ability to read, understand, interpret, and explain policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and legal requirements to a diverse audience.
• Must demonstrate excellent attention to detail.
• Must occasionally travel outside of the Tri-Cities area for training opportunities, including limited overnight travel.
• Must maintain regular attendance and punctuality.

Physical Requirements:HR Generalists must regularly speak and listen; must meet standard vision requirements; must regularly sit, stand, and walk; must demonstrate acceptable manual dexterity and fine motor skills; must regularly lift files, open file cabinets, and bend as necessary; and must occasionally lift office products or supplies weighing up to 30 pounds.
The benefits listed below are those currently enjoyed by full-time City of Kennewick Non-Contract employees. It is important to remember that over the course of time these benefits may change - they are not permanent. Benefits may change through City Council or administrative action or changes mandated by state and federal law.

Paid Holidays
13 per year (10 scheduled; 3 "floating")
New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and three floating holidays selected by the employee. Active employee will accrue all three floating holidays on February 1. Employees hired after February 1 will receive a prorated floating holiday accrual for the remainder of the calendar year based on their hire date.

Paid Time Off (PTO)
The purpose of PTO is to compensate employees for absences due to injury, illness, vacation and personal business. In addition, the program is designed to provide employees with personal flexibility regarding the use of leave hours. PTO hours accrue based upon the actual number of regular hours worked.

Accrual per Month:
0-5yrs 6-9yrs 10-14yrs 15-19yrs 20-24yrs 25-29yrs 30+yrs
12 hours 15 hours 17 hours 19 hours 21 hours 23 hours 25 hours
Retirement Plan
All City employees are members of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). The City and the employee both contribute toward the plan. PERS provides regular retirement and disability retirement benefits. City employees also participate in the Social Security Program. Rates effective as of 07/01/2025. ()

PERS Employee Contribution Rate Employer Contribution Rate
Plan II 5.38% 5.38%
Plan III Employee Choice (see booklet) 5.38%

Deferred Comp
The City contributes an equivalent of 5% of your regular monthly salary to Mission Square Retirement (previously ICMA) deferred compensation program. No employee match required, but employees may contribute towards plan if desired. ()

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
The City currently pays the entire dental and vision insurance premiums for the employee and dependents. Employee current premium share is 10% per month for medical insurance to cover themselves and dependents.

Life Insurance
1.5 x annual salary (not to exceed $250K) provided by the City of Kennewick. Employee may purchase Voluntary Term Life Insurance for employee, spouse and/or dependents through New York Life (previously Cigna).

Long Term Disability
The City pays the entire long-term disability premium for employees through New York Life (previously Cigna).

Wellness Program
The Wellness Program has been established to encourage employee health and fitness, both at work and at home. A City Wellness Committee promotes and provides opportunities for healthy lifestyles. Employee fitness center is open to all employees and their spouses.

Employee Assistance
An Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) is provided by the City to assist you and family members, providing counseling and treatment in such areas as stress, drug and alcohol abuse and family counseling.

Other Benefits Offered

• Flexible Spending Plan (Pre-Tax Deduction for Medical/Dental and Day Care)
• Aflac Supplemental Insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Bereavement Leave
• Overtime
• Direct Deposit (paydays are 5th and 20th of the month)

01

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, writing "see resume", or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

• Yes
• No

02

Please select the highest level of education that you have successfully completed or the highest degree that you hold as of the closing date of this recruitment.

• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree in a related field
• Post-Graduate Degree or Higher in a related field
• None of the above

03

Which response below best describes your level of experience administering human resources programs?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to less than 3 years
• 3 to less than 5 years
• 5+ years

04

Which of the following professional human resources certifications do you currently have? Select all that apply.

• SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
• SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)
• Professional in Human Resources (PHR)
• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)
• Other HR certification
• - None

05

If your answer above was "Other HR Certification," please note your certification here:
06

Select all of the following that you have at least 6 months of professional human resources experience in performing:

• Talent Acquisition/Recruitment
• Compensation & Benefits
• Leave Management
• Policy Review/Management
• HRIS Management & Data Analytics
• Employee/Labor Relations
• Training & Development
• None of the above

07

Do you certify that all statements made in this application are true and complete, and acknowledge that misrepresentations or omissions may be cause for employment disqualification or discharge?

• Yes
• No

Required Question