HR Representative - HR Business Partner

FirstEnergy

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers' lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

FirstEnergy's regulated distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, based on serving 6 million customers in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Stretching from the Ohio-Indiana border to the New Jersey shore, the companies operate a vast infrastructure of more than 269,000 miles of distribution lines and are dedicated to providing customers with safe, reliable and responsive service.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence.

About the Opportunity

This is a position within FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.

Reporting to the HR, Manager, the Human Resource Generalist performs a variety of human resources duties on a professional level, partnering closely with senior HR management and Centers of Expertise (COEs), in supporting HR processes and department-specific strategies for our Ohio Edison and The Illuminating Company operations. This position carries out responsibilities in support of the following functional areas: benefits administration, employee relations, performance management, learning and development, onboarding, compensation administration, policy implementation, diversity, equity and inclusion, and employment law compliance. This role is an essential partner to the Operations leadership team.

This position will be remote, working from home and also from the office two to three days per week (or more if required). Day travel to local service centers / company offices, as necessary, will be required.

Responsibilities include:

* Functioning collaboratively as part of a fast-paced, customer-oriented team.

* Developing and maintaining positive and effective working relationships with peers, team, leaders and all employees.

* Ensuring compliance with local, State, and Federal HR regulations and company policies.

* Providing consultation, guidance, and advice to employees on human resources practices, policies, procedures, and matters.

* Advising leaders in appropriate resolution of employee relations matters.

* Conducting job posting, interviewing, testing, hiring, onboarding, and offboarding, including maintaining staffing data to establish history and trends, and to develop staffing projections.

* Performing reporting and analysis on various types of HR data.

* Participating in the various complaint processes by conducting research, performing fact-finding, providing recommendations for resolution, compiling, and articulating findings, and coordinating with Corporate Compliance and Legal departments as required.

* Performing HR compliance review activities.

* Facilitating conflict resolution for employee and labor relations issues.

* Facilitating annual open enrollment benefit meetings and other various HR meetings or training including diversity, equity & inclusion, performance and career management, talent discussions, etc.

* Administering employee benefit programs, including sick leave, family care leave, state and federal leave programs, disability processing, and workers' compensation.

* Assisting with administration of the drug and alcohol testing programs.

* Working closely with Safety staff and supporting Medical Case Management to facilitate employees' return to work after illness or injury, assisting leadership with managing employee attendance issues.

* Providing HR related communications and assisting with the development and maintenance of consistent best practices and continuous work process improvements.

* Assisting the HR Manager with various HR projects, including execution of strategic initiatives that support the needs and priorities of the business.

* Engaging in outage and storm restoration activities, as needed.

Qualifications:

* Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business or related discipline and minimum of 7-10 years relevant work experience required. In lieu of Bachelor's degree (preferred), minimum 10 years relevant work experience required. Relevant work experience will include the demonstrated ability to:

* Perform the role at full competency and proficiency in HR discipline

* Recommend process improvements and implement solutions to complex issues

* Provide leadership on initiatives, projects, and processes with demonstrated project management skills

* Influence decisions made by leadership

* Serve as a trusted advisor to customers in all situations and a trusted resource for HR peers

* Partner with leadership to proactively identify problems, analyze solutions, and making results-driven recommendations

* Work with leaders to identify issues / concerns and develop appropriate steps for resolution

* Exercise independent judgment on complex projects and assignments

* Develop and deliver presentations for varying audiences on complex subject matter

* SPHR/PHR certification preferred

* Ability to learn, grow and work across FirstEnergy and deliver results

* Experience providing customer-focused support, both internally and externally

* Experience in building positive relationships and working with peers cross-functionally, demonstrating teamwork and collaboration

* Basic knowledge of Federal, State and local HR regulations

* Familiarity with bargaining unit agreements preferred

* Strong analytical, decision-making, teamwork and leadership skills

* Ability to analyze business needs and generate applicable reports to meet business unit objectives

* Ability to appropriately manage conflict and work through difficult situations as needed

* Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)

* Willingness to travel throughout organization and work extended hours, as required

* Must be available to assist in outage or storm restoration support during evenings and weekends as needed

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.