People and Culture Generalist

Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation (DBEDC) is seeking a People & Culture Generalist who is not only passionate about HR operations, but also excited by the opportunity to help shape a workplace where staff feel supported, valued, and empowered to do their best work. If you thrive in a mission-driven environment and want your work to have a meaningful impact on both employees and the broader community, this role is for you.

As the People & Culture Generalist, you will lead key HR functions including payroll, HRIS management, benefits administration, compliance, and reporting. You will partner closely with the Director of People & Culture to implement initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, advance equity, and enhance organizational effectiveness.

Success in this role requires strong organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities independently, while serving as a trusted and reliable resource to staff across the organization.

What you can expect to do in the role:

HR Operations, Payroll & Benefits

• Administer end-to-end payroll, including timesheet review, deductions, and reporting
• Maintain accurate employee data in the HRIS, ensuring timely updates
• Manage HR reporting and analyze workforce trends, turnover, and payroll data
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws
• Support leave of absence administration and employee documentation
• Support benefits open enrollment
• Assist with payroll audits, reconciliations, and year-end processes as needed

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Lead full-cycle recruitment process for assigned roles
• Coordinate onboarding and orientation to ensure a strong employee experience
• Support job description development and role classification

Employee Engagement & Culture

• Support engagement initiatives, recognition programs, and wellness activities
• Analyze engagement data and recommend improvements
• Partner on internal communications and culture-building initiatives

HR Policy, Compliance & Employee Relations

• Assist in developing and updating HR policies
• Serve as a resource to employees on HR-related inquiries
• Prepare employee documentation and communications
• Support employee relations matters, escalating as appropriate

Continuous Improvement & Reporting

• Identify and implement process improvements across HR operations
• Track and analyze HR metrics to inform decision-making
• Support HR projects, including system implementations and policy rollouts
• Ensure all outbound messaging is polished, clear, and on-brand

Qualifications – What Success Requires

Mission & Values Alignment

• Commitment to DBEDC’s mission and racial equity in community development.
• Ownership mindset with focus on high-quality results and team impact.
• Willingness to learn, explore new approaches, and implement improvements.
• Comfort navigating change and proposing innovative solutions.

Technical Expertise

• 4+ years of progressive HR experience
• Strong experience in payroll administration, HRIS management, and benefits
• Demonstrated success managing open enrollment and payroll processes
• Proficiency with HR systems, applicant tracking systems, and Microsoft Office
• Knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices, ideally in a nonprofit setting
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to explain complex HR concepts clearly to diverse audiences
• High level of integrity and ability to manage confidential information
• Strong relationship-building and employee support skills

Collaboration & Mindset

• Experience working cross-functionally and supporting organizational initiatives
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and community-centered work
• Growth-oriented, adaptable, and solutions-driven

Additional Requirements

• Ability to pass a background check.
• Availability for occasional evenings and weekends.

You’ll stand out if you:

• Are bilingual in (Spanish, Cape Verdean Kriol, Haitian Kreyol).
• Have working knowledge of affordable housing and/or economic development.
• Experience facilitating onboarding sessions or internal workshops
• Have served as a chair or co-chair on engagement committees
• Have lived experience in our community.

Other important details:

• Salary range: $75,000 – 90,000

Why DBEDC?

Join a collaborative, mission-driven team dedicated to building equitable and thriving communities. In this role, you’ll play a key part in shaping the employee experiences, supporting the people and culture that drive our impact, while working closely with committed colleagues across the organization.

Living Our Values

At DBEDC, our culture is grounded in shared values:

• Accountability: We take ownership of our words, actions, and their impacts.
• Curiosity: We ask questions, try new things, and learn from experience.
• Collaboration: We build trusting relationships internally and externally.
• Transparency: We communicate directly, honestly, and with clarity.
• Innovation: We embrace change, challenge convention, and adapt with intention.

Benefits

DBEDC proudly offers a total compensation package that goes above and beyond, supporting your health, well-being, and work-life balance. Here’s what you can look forward to:

Health and Wellness

• Choose from several generous medical insurance packages with no waiting period.
• Employer-paid dental and vision coverage to keep you smiling.
• Access to Flexible Spending Accounts and the Dependent Care Assistance Program for added flexibility.
• Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, and Accidental Death coverage for peace of mind.
• On-demand EmployeeWell-being Services to help you thrive.

Lifestyle and Perks

• Access exclusive discounts through our Perks at Work Program.
• Enjoy a flexible hybrid work environment that balances work and life with ease.

Time Off That Works for You

• Generous amount of vacation time to recharge and relax.
• Seventeen paid holidays, including your birthday, because you deserve to celebrate.
• Fifteen sick days for when you need to rest and recover.
• Three personal days for life’s unexpected moments.
• Five volunteer days to give back.

Future-Focused Benefits

• Save for your future with our 403(b) retirement plan, featuring a generous employer contribution.

Professional Development

• Grow your career with access to professional development opportunities, including workshops, conferences, and training programs.
• Collaborate and learn in a dynamic environment that encourages innovation and skill- building.

At DBEDC, we’re not just offering benefits, we’re investing in you! Join us and experience a workplace that values your well-being and success while building a brighter future for Dorchester and beyond!