Hr Specialist - Early Learning Program

Illinois Action for Children (“IAFC”), a local, state and national leader in the early childhood care and education sector for over 50 years. IAFC programs, services, and advocacy improve learning and life outcomes for children and families, including reducing the effects of poverty. IAFC works to ensure that every child in Illinois – particularly those in need – have access to the necessary resources to succeed in school and in life.

Along with our mission, IAFC is committed to building and maintaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist culture. We are dedicated to this pledge through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and servicing our staff and clients. IAFC staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our essential work.

Under the direction of the Assistant Director, Human Resources, the HR Specialist-Early Learning Programs is responsible for the administrative support and day to day operations of the Human Resources functions for Early Learning programs. Position includes responsibility for providing professional HR knowledge and expertise, communications of HR programs, coordinating logistics for HR related programs and events and all HR related functions. This person will be the HR point person for employee records, recruiting, employee relations, performance management, training and development, compliance and implementation of HR policies and procedures for Early Learning staff. All work to be completed with minimum supervision and in accordance with organizational standards.

This incumbent will be expected to promote and adhere to the workplace core capabilities of: accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people and clear priorities. All work to be completed with minimum supervision and in accordance with organizational standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following (see job description for full list of duties and responsibilities). The company reserves the right to add to, delete, change or modify the essential duties and responsibilities at any time.

• Relationship Management: Takes an active role in understanding the business and employee issues as it relates to Early Learning programs. Builds relationships across the department and directly-operated sites to deliver value-added service to management and employees.
• Employee Records: Maintains the Early Learning employee files to ensure accuracy and timely information for proper record maintenance. Maintains records for yearly licensing and certification renewals, medical records and all HHS, OHS and DCFS information in COPA or other database systems. Validates/Reconciles data entry and keep employee records up-to-date by processing status changes and prepare old files for proper storage and retention.
• Recruiting: Works with management and supervisors to identify staffing needs, job specifications, and job responsibilities. Coordinates the presentation, selection, offer, negotiation, closing, and administrative components involved in full-life cycle recruiting. Recruits, interviews, tests, and recommends candidates to fill vacant positions.
• Employee Relations: Serves as an internal consultant, counsels employees and managers on a variety of issues including peer/peer, peer/manager and conflict resolution work relationships, communication problems, personal problems and work problems and concerns in general. In all interactions, is cognizant of maintaining the highest ethics and trust to ensure credibility of the position and Human Resources.
• Performance Management: Provides performance management guidance to management (e.g., coaching, counseling, career development, disciplinary actions). Coordinates the employee separation process including unemployment hearings and assisting with appeals, when needed.
• Training and Development: Conducts or schedules training sessions covering specified topics for new and current employee training including topics such as: orientation, customer service, new and current policies/procedures training and other trainings assigned. Updates materials for accuracy and to increase learning.
• Compliance: Maintains compliance with federal and state regulations concerning applicant screening, employment, transferring, promotion, training and separations to reduce legal risks and ensure regulatory compliance. Provides direction and participates in audits conducted by state or federal agencies such as the DCFS, OHS, etc.
• Display outstanding organizational skills: Provides excellent attention to detail and follow through. Provides strong administrative support to the team as needed. Demonstrates ability to discreetly handle highly sensitive and confidential matters.
• Executes our workplace core capabilities of: accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people and clear priorities. Independently work on multiple tasks effectively in support of department. The organization may assign other functions to the job at its discretion.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree and 2-3 years experience in Business, with an Human Resources concentration, or as a Human Resources Generalist is required. Previous experience working with an HRIS system (ADP) and COPA is highly desired. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Ability to communicate with courtesy and diplomacy, efficiently follow written and verbal instructions, provide information, and maintain effective relationships with staff, management and outside contacts. Must be able to multi-task and thrive in a fast-paced, busy program.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: PHR or SPHR is helpful.

Benefits of Working at IAFC:

• Working with passionate team members that are driven by our Mission: Illinois Action for Children is a catalyst for organizing, developing and supporting strong families and powerful communities where children matter most.
• We strive to foster and implement a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion across our organization. We know it is not only critical to the success of diversity initiatives - but instrumental in creating an unbiassed and inclusive workplace! It not only relates to the diverse clients we serve but also creates a positive employee experience.

We offer an extensive benefits package that adds value to your total compensation. Our benefits include:

• Health, dental and vision insurance plans with company contribution of 95% for single coverage
• 401k with company match
• Generous PTO – first year-23 days, the second year-28 days, the third year and on - 35 days
• 11 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Account
• Company paid STD, LTD, and Life insurance

This position will work in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. Starting salary $53,000

Illinois Action for Children is EEO/M/F/V/D employer.

Illinois Action for Children offers a hybrid work model, including days onsite and remote. While we desire for this job posting to be comprehensive, all aspects of the position may be amended at any time at the discretion of IAFC including job duties, work location and/or work schedule.

As established by the Illinois Action for Children Board of Directors, all employees are required to receive a vaccination against COVID-19, unless a medical or religious reasonable accommodation is approved. If offered a job, the candidate must be able to prove that they have been vaccinated with one of the CDC-authorized vaccines, including either Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson / Janssen or request and be granted an accommodation before their start date.