The Human Resources Department of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking to fill two HR Generalist positions to help support the Recruiting & Hiring Team and the Benefits Team. These positions will be eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

We fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. We zealously advocate for the rights of individuals and promote just public policy to protect the rights of all.

Our Values

Courage   •   Accountability   •   Respect   •   Excellence

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT

CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation.  We are dedicated to building and maintaining strong professional relationships, while striving to accept, listen to and respect the diverse circumstances of each client, as we dedicate ourselves to meeting their individual needs.  It is our CPCS mission to achieve these goals, and in furtherance thereof, we embrace and endorse diversity, equity and inclusion as our core values as we maintain a steadfast commitment to: (1) Ensure that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human differences and experience; (2) Provide a work climate that is respectful and supports success; and (3) Promote the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS leadership is responsible for ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion. The ability to achieve these goals with any level of certainty is ultimately the responsibility of each member of the CPCS community.

AGENCY OVERVIEW

CPCS is the agency in Commonwealth of Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one.  The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters.

The clients we represent are diverse across every context imaginable and bring many unique cultural dimensions to the matters we address. This reality creates a critical need for CPCS staff to be culturally competent and able to work well with people of different races, ethnicities, genders and/or sexual orientation identities, abilities, and limited English proficiency, among other protected characteristics.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Human Resources Department of the Committee for Public Counsel Services is committed to providing excellent support and customer service for all our employees in a client-centered work environment characterized by dedication to the agency mission and a deep respect for diversity and inclusion.

The HR Generalist is a key position in the Human Resources Department. We are seeking applicants who can apply a wide range of HR skills and knowledge to support the overall employee experience at CPCS.  We are seeking two HR Generalists, one of our Benefits team and one for our Recruitment and Hiring team.

The HR Generalist - Benefits is a key position on the Benefits Team in the Human Resources Department. They act as the Department liaison with a variety of providers of state benefits.  The HR Generalist – Benefits assists the Benefits Manager in overseeing all aspects of Leaves of Absence, serving as the Agency Healthcare (GIC/FSA) Coordinator, and managing SMART Plan administration. The HR Generalist - Benefits will regularly communicate with CPCS employees as well as individuals in other state agencies and organizations. The HR Generalist - Benefits will act as back-up to other HR team members to ensure coverage in all areas.

The HR Generalist - Recruiting is a key position in the Recruitment and Hiring Team In the Human Resources Department. They will report to the Recruiting and Hiring Manager to support the recruitment and hiring of new employees as well. They will regularly communicate with CPCS employees as well as individuals in other agencies and organizations.  The HR Generalist will act as back-up to other HR team members to ensure coverage in all areas. 

Both HR Generalists will be cross-trained and act as back-ups to other HR team members to ensure coverage in all areas and to ensure new employees are smoothly integrated into CPCS through effective onboarding.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

•  Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field and at least three (3) years of human resources experience, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and skills; and,
• Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

• Fundamental knowledge of a broad array of HR topics related to employee benefits, compensation, hiring, and onboarding.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office systems, including Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Windows, and the Internet; knowledge of PeopleSoft HRIS preferred;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and to exercise considerable judgment and discretion;
• Excellent customer service and communication skills;
• Knowledge of both Federal and State FMLA, ADA, ACA, and EEO regulations;
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task, performing multiple tasks independently and concurrently;
• Ability to take initiative, to work well independently and as a team member;
• Ability to handle a wide variety of duties and work within the HR team to provide best customer service to CPCS staff; and,
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience making presentations.

COMPENSATION

CPCS offers a competitive compensation, benefits, and pension package; a diverse and inclusive culture; colleagues and co-workers who are committed to and passionate about their work; and the opportunity to serve. CPCS work culture also promotes work/life balance, providing work from home options and flexible hours. Salary Range: $65,300 - $95,896.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties of the HR Generalists include, but are not limited to:

• Working as key members of the CPCS HR team supporting staff recruitment, hiring, on-boarding, benefits, and departures;
• Playing a key role in the on-boarding of new Agency staff by entering employees into the Commonwealth’s HR system (currently HR/CMS), assisting with benefit orientation for new hires, entering relevant benefit options at time of employment, preparing employee ID cards, and creating new hire folders;
• Providing training, guidance, and oversight to Hiring Managers regarding the use of standard criteria to ensure that CPCS hiring and promotional processes are equitable, fair, and transparent;
• Assisting with employees leaving the agency, including around health insurance, pension, and other documentation;
• Serving as the Healthcare GIC/FSA Coordinator involves managing all benefit programs, including the implementation of our Annual Open Enrollment;
• Serving as the Commonwealth SMART Plan coordinator, responsible for managing and inputting monthly SMART Plan deductions into HRCMS;
• Serving as the Commuter Benefits coordinator, managing benefit elections, troubleshooting issues, resolving problems, and running reports to verify data accuracy deductions;
• Handling new hire paperwork for the MA State Retirement Board and serving as a resource for employees regarding issues related to the MA State Retirement system;
• Supporting the Benefits Manager with managing all leaves of absence;
• Assisting HR Team with special projects as assigned and provide back-up for other HR staff when needed.
• Providing excellent customer service to all who interact with the HR Unit by responding in a timely, accurate, respectful, and professional manner to customer service questions and requests; and,
• Other duties as assigned.

EEO Statement

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation as required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other applicable federal and state statutes and organizational policies.  Applicants who have questions about equal employment opportunity or who need reasonable accommodations can contact the Chief Human Resources Officer, Sandra DeBow-Huang, at sdebow@publiccounsel.net