HR Generalist job description template

LiveRec EditorialUpdated

US format for the HR generalist job description, federal rules as of 30 Oct 2026. State and local rules vary.

An HR generalist handles day-to-day people operations: hiring support, onboarding, employee questions, records and policy compliance. A good posting states company size, the HR tasks included, the HRIS system, whether payroll is in scope, and which employment laws the person must work with.

At a glance

  • State headcount supported and locations, because state law differs.
  • List what is in scope: recruiting, onboarding, benefits administration, employee relations, payroll support.
  • Say who the generalist reports to and whether an HR lead exists.

Template

HR Generalist
[COMPANY] | [CITY, STATE or Remote] | [Full-time / Part-time / Contract]

PAY: $[MIN] to $[MAX] per [hour / year]. Benefits: [LIST].

SUMMARY
An HR generalist handles day-to-day people operations: hiring support, onboarding, employee questions, records and policy compliance. At [COMPANY] you will [OUTCOME FOR THE FIRST YEAR] and report to [TITLE].

RESPONSIBILITIES
- Support hiring: post jobs, screen applicants and schedule interviews
- Run onboarding and complete I-9 and new-hire paperwork
- Answer employee questions on policy, leave and benefits
- Maintain employee records in [HRIS] with proper confidentiality
- Support employee relations cases and document outcomes
- Help keep handbooks and postings current with law
- Track leave, attendance and compliance deadlines

REQUIREMENTS
- [N] years in HR, or a degree plus related experience
- Working knowledge of federal employment law, such as FLSA, FMLA and Title VII
- Experience with [HRIS]
- Discretion with confidential information
- Organized and responsive to employees

NICE TO HAVE
- SHRM-CP, PHR or similar certification
- Multi-state compliance experience
- Benefits administration experience

HOW WE HIRE
[Interview rounds, any test, timeline. Say that applicants never pay a fee.]

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
[COMPANY] considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status. To request an adjustment, contact [EMAIL].

Duties and skills follow the O*NET OnLine summary for Human Resources Specialists (13-1071.00), the US Department of Labor's occupational database.

How to customize it

  • Multi-state: if you have employees in several states, say so; state leave and pay rules vary widely.
  • Payroll scope: say whether the generalist processes payroll or only supports a provider.
  • Confidentiality: the role sees pay and medical information; describe how you protect it.
  • Exempt status: generalist roles can be exempt or not; decide by duties and salary level, not title.
  • Level: delete the junior or senior wording that does not apply, and cut every requirement you would not screen for.
  • Pay: enter your own approved range. Several states require a range in the posting; see pay transparency laws.

How to post it on LiveRec

  1. Open Jobs and choose Post a job.
  2. Choose Use a template or a previous job, Describe it with AI, or Create a new job from scratch.
  3. Paste the summary, responsibilities and requirements into the Description step, then complete the screening and assessment steps.
  4. Use Preview posting to see what candidates see, then choose Post job.

Steps and limits are in Post a job on LiveRec.

FAQ

HR generalist or HR coordinator? A coordinator mostly handles administrative tasks under direction. A generalist handles a wider scope and exercises more judgment.

Is certification required? Usually no. List SHRM-CP or PHR as preferred unless a client or contract requires it.

Next step

Fill the placeholders, check the finished text against how to write a job description, and post it. Build a scorecard from the requirements list.

Sources

  • O*NET OnLine, 13-1071.00 Human Resources Specialists: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-1071.00
  • EEOC, Prohibited Employment Policies/Practices: https://www.eeoc.gov/prohibited-employment-policies-practices
  • US DOL Wage and Hour Division, FLSA: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa

This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.