Human Resources Coordinator

Position Announcement

Meridian Institute has an immediate opening for a full-time HR Coordinator to work in a hybrid fashion near either the Washington, DC or Dillon, CO office, or fully remote. This position is ideal for driven candidates who want a high energy job with a purpose and would like to support big change from behind the scenes.

Meridian is a nonprofit consultancy that engages in dynamic problem solving with global leaders in business, government, civil society, philanthropy, and beyond. We bring people together, helping them navigate the dynamic variables that shape any collaborative search for solutions—from individual relationships to geopolitical considerations. Our work spans industries and sectors and includes projects focused on agriculture and food systems, climate change, forests, oceans and coasts, resilience, and science and technology, among others. Across these areas, we build and support partnerships that address our world’s complex challenges.

As a member of the Human Resources Team, the HR Coordinator is responsible for overall HR support and administration across the department. Their primary duties involve supporting the day-to-day operations of the department and administrative tasks across the employment life cycle. Successful candidates will be self-starters with 3-5 years professional experience in human resources, and specifically 3 years’ experience in administering and compliance of employee benefits. It is also important that candidates show a commitment to accuracy, have a proven track record of managing confidential information, and display a strong employee service orientation.

The starting pay range for this position is $24.04 – $26.53 per hour ($50,000 – $55,180 per year). This is an hourly, non-exempt position eligible for overtime. In following our commitment to principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, maintaining pay equity when hiring is extremely important to us. For this reason, all staff at Meridian are paid a minimum of $50,000 per year and compensation offers are non-negotiable.

Meridian is dedicated to advancing our employees’ professional growth, supporting employee wellbeing, and helping them meet their healthcare and retirement needs. Meridian employees receive competitive benefits including:

• A dynamic, inclusive, and flexible work environment
• Structured professional development opportunities
• Medical, dental, and a variety of voluntary insurance coverages for employees, partners, and families
• Generous vacation and sick leave, plus 12 holidays (fixed and floating)
• Employee Assistance Program
• DC Office Employees Only – Metro expense reimbursement for commute into work
• Remote Workers Only – home office internet allowance

About the Position

The Human Resources Coordinator (HR Coordinator) is responsible for overall HR support and administration across the department. Their primary duties involve supporting the day-to-day operations of the department and administrative tasks across the employment life cycle. This includes tasks such as coordinating and support recruitment efforts, maintaining personnel and department records, administering and auditing benefits, administering employee appreciation programs, and supporting the HR Manager on a variety of special HR projects. The HR Coordinator is both an employee facing and back-end administrative position which requires skills in both employee service and support and accurate data entry and reconciliations. This is a high volume/high demand position managing multiple activities with time-sensitive deadlines. Typical areas of responsibility include:

• Maintains HR records across a variety of systems. Ensures proper documentation according to organizational policies and regulatory compliance. Administers the HRIS software and ensures all personnel data is accurate and treated confidentially. Assists with systems implementation.
• Responds to all internal and external inquiries related to employment record, hiring, benefits, and HR system technical support. This includes but is not limited to employment verifications, candidate questions, and employee questions.
• Tracks and administers a variety of HR processes, including performance management and reviews, staff training and professional development, and compensation and payroll.
• Administers employee benefits, including recordkeeping and compliance. Maintains employee and group benefits files, ensuring accuracy of the benefits administration portal.
• Advises and informs employees of the details of the company’s benefit programs, including new hire benefits orientations. Resolves benefit-related issues and responds to queries and requests in a timely manner.
• Manages Open Enrollment including updates to rates and building new plans into the benefits administration system. Provides reports on enrollment and rate changes to payroll for processing. Updates internal documents as needed for payroll contribution and plan level changes.
• Reconciles monthly benefit invoices to ensure accuracy and facilitate payment approvals and completes quarterly audits of benefits plan enrollment records and payroll records to correct discrepancies.
• Administers employee benefits and serves as the connection point to payroll. Works between employees and benefit providers or third-party administrators to address inquiries and resolve problems. Responsible for Open Enrollment and completing benefit-related audits and reporting.
• Supports hiring activities at all stages, including announcements and postings, technology setup and support, compiling data for candidate selection, communications and scheduling, employment offers, and new employee onboarding.

Click here to view the full position description.

Eligibility Requirements

• 3-5 years’ experience in Human Resources roles, with:
• At least 3 years’ experience administering employee benefits, including healthcare under ACA, 401k retirement plans, disability, workers compensation, and employee leaves.
• HR and payroll experience across a variety of US employment jurisdictions.
• Associate’s degree in business, finance, accounting, or a related field or equivalent work experience. PHR or SHRM-CP HR certification preferred.
• Familiarity with ACA, COBRA, ERISA, FMLA, state and federal employment laws and regulations. Knowledge of employment laws in Colorado or Washington, DC preferred.
• Exceptional follow-through and attention to detail. Timely and accurate execution of administrative HR responsibilities and compliance activities.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills with the ability to juggle a high volume of transactions and multiple projects at a time.
• Excellent time management and organization skills. Must have the ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment, re-prioritize based on business demands coupled with a strong sense of urgency.
• Is self-directed and motivated. Take initiative to identify and anticipate needs and make recommendations for implementation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, an effective and active listener, including the ability to present, review, and explain detailed information with employees at all levels.
• Effective interpersonal skills. Possesses a positive, service-oriented attitude and maturity in handling confidential situations and documentation. Exercises sound judgment when dealing with employee issues.
• Exhibits commitment to equity and social justice in the work they do across work areas. Experience effectively working as part of a team composed of people with different workstyles and cultural backgrounds.
• Highly proficient in the Microsoft product suite; especially Excel, Teams and SharePoint. Experience administering HRIS/ATS systems, specifically SyncHR by Prime Pay.

How to Apply:

The deadline to apply is Monday, September 4, 2023.

Please submit the following application materials using our online submission form:

1. Cover Letter– 1 page
   Drawing from your personal and professional experiences, please explain how you hope to contribute to Meridian in this role.
2. Resume– 1-2 pages
   Detail relevant education, training, experiences, and accomplishments.
3. Three Professional References

We thank all applicants for their interest and will be in contact only with those chosen for an interview. Please direct any additional questions about the position to HR@merid.org.

About Meridian Institute:

Meridian Institute is a mission-driven, nonprofit consultancy that has helped clients and partners develop and implement solutions to complicated, often controversial problems—big and small, global and local—for over two decades.

Effective collaborative decision-making involves bringing together participants with diverse backgrounds and differing viewpoints. As an organization, we seek staff that reflects and values that same diversity; successful Meridian team members are experienced working in multicultural settings and welcome new opportunities to widen their own perspectives.  We bring integrity, inclusiveness, and respect for differences to every project we undertake. We are working to ensure that Meridian possesses the expertise needed to partner with—and build trust among—marginalized and disenfranchised communities, while advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) within our organization and our work.

Accommodation

Meridian Institute complies fully with the relevant Disability Acts and Laws in local countries. If you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Meridian Institute, please contact us at hr@merid.org.

COVID-19 Consideration

At this time, Meridian Institute requires that all employees be fully vaccinated, including booster shots. In circumstances where an applicant communicates that they are not able to be vaccinated for COVID-19 because of a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance or because of a disability, then Meridian, in accordance with applicable law, will engage in the interactive process to determine if a reasonable accommodation is feasible that will not pose an undue hardship or create a direct threat to safety.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Meridian recognizes that our work is made stronger and more impactful by the contributions of diverse groups from around the world. At Meridian, we welcome people from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, national origin, creed, class, ancestry, or other grounds.

Meridian Institute is a participating employer in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security program, E-Verify.