Human Resources Generalist

Reports to: Director of Human Resources
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) – Des Moines, IA (On-Site)

Your Mission: Strengthen the Teams That Strengthen Our Mission
If you thrive at the intersection of people, process, and purpose, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact. As a Human Resources Generalist at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, you will support the employees who power our lifesaving work by ensuring they feel welcomed, supported, and equipped to do their best for the animals and community we serve.

This role is ideal for someone starting out in their career in Human Resources who enjoys variety, values accuracy, and brings a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset. From recruitment and onboarding to benefits and workers’ compensation support, you’ll play a key role across the employee lifecycle, helping build a workplace rooted in compassion, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

What You’ll Do
You’ll lead and support full-cycle recruitment efforts by crafting job postings, sourcing talent, coordinating interviews, supporting hiring managers, and helping build a diverse, mission-aligned candidate pool. You’ll represent the ARL at career fairs and community networking events and use data to evaluate and refine recruiting strategies.

You’ll ensure new employees feel prepared and welcomed by coordinating and facilitating onboarding and orientation. You’ll support the administration of employee benefits, conduct benefit orientations, answer employee questions, and provide ongoing education around available options.

You’ll serve as backup for payroll by reviewing timecards, resolving discrepancies, and assisting with timely and accurate bi-weekly payroll processing and reconciliation. You’ll also manage workers’ compensation documentation and reporting, coordinate with third-party administrators, and support employees and supervisors through the process.

Throughout all responsibilities, you’ll help ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and support broader HR projects and initiatives that enhance the employee experience and strengthen the organization.

What You Bring
You have a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a related field or equivalent professional work experience. You bring at least one year of Human Resources experience, and preferably have obtained a SHRM-CP certification.

You communicate clearly, build strong working relationships, and navigate sensitive situations with professionalism and discretion. You’re organized, deadline-focused, and confident managing multiple priorities. You understand recruitment best practices, know how to create sourcing strategies for a wide range of roles, and are comfortable or able to learn ADP’s recruitment applicant tracking system. You’re proficient in Microsoft Office and have a solid understanding of employment laws, compliance requirements, and best practices in HR operations and align with the ARL's values.

Working Conditions
This role is primarily office-based and requires prolonged periods of sitting and computer work. The position may involve occasional lifting up to 15 lbs. As part of the ARL team, you’ll work in an animal-friendly environment where allergens such as pet dander and airborne particles may be present.

Why Work at the ARL?
When you join the ARL, you join a mission-driven team united by compassion and committed to saving lives. Your contributions in HR strengthen every department, support every employee, and ultimately help more animals and people in our community.

Employment in this position is at-will, meaning that either the employee or the ARL may terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any lawful reason.

Animal Rescue League is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or applicable state regulations, ARL will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with us.