Careers

At Goodspeed Merrill, we aim to be the outside legal team of choice for businesses as well as a trusted source for individuals and families in the Denver area and throughout the Rocky Mountain region. Core values at our firm include collaboration, responsiveness, transparency, and service.
Our growing firm is seeking a full-time Human Resources Manager.

Summary of the role

The Human Resources Manager is solely responsible for the overall administration, coordination, and evaluation of the human resource function at the firm’s Denver, Colorado location, including payroll processing, benefits administration, recruitment, policy implementation, compensation administration, and employee relations, while maintaining and enhancing the firm’s culture.

Essential Functions

STAFFING

• Evaluate, manage, and facilitate staffing needs, including the following: draft and place internal/external job postings, recruit qualified applicants, work with attorneys and/or other staff to coordinate interviews, complete reference and background checks, extend job offers, conduct new employee orientation and benefit enrollment, coordinate employee training.
• Provide assistance to attorneys engaged in summer law clerk and attorney recruitment.
• Coordinate annual staff evaluation process, including working closely with attorneys to ensure that evaluations are completed in a timely and accurate manner, analyzing compensation, and monitoring and revising (as needed) the evaluation program.
• Consult with legal counsel and Firm Administration on personnel matters and compliance. Monitor and be responsible for the compliance with federal, state, and local legislation pertaining to all personnel matters.
• Manage personnel issues that sometimes involve significant difficult and emotional issues, including disciplinary matters involving involuntary termination.
• Conduct internal investigations and searches pursuant to Firm policies, including those pertaining to harassment, discrimination, workplace violence, and equal opportunity.
• Coordinate or conduct exit interviews to determine reasons behind separations.

ADMINISTERING

• Oversee the review of staff timekeeping (including handling missed clock-ins and -outs), ensure all breaks are recorded accurately and in accordance with all applicable laws. Ensure all leave requests are accurately entered with proper approvals.
• Oversee payroll processing for semi-monthly payrolls. Review all payroll information for accuracy ensuring the processing of payroll meets all regulations and applicable laws. Resolve pay-related errors and process any corrections or changes in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with Firm Administration Manager to develop and administer benefits and 401k package including but not limited to: Health, Dental, Vision, LTD, Life, 401k.
• Coordinate with workers’ compensation carrier and employees regarding any work-related injury, illness, or accident.
• Coordinate responses and paperwork for unemployment claims and disability claims.
• Respond to employee inquiries, including those regarding benefits, 401(k), employee assistance programs, status changes, policies, review of personnel files, and the interactive accommodation process.

DEVELOPING

• Cultivate and demonstrate a quality customer service attitude.
• Support Firm in staff development.
• Communicate changes in personnel policies and procedures and ensure proper compliance.
• Work directly with the Firm’s leaders to assist them in carrying out their responsibilities regarding personnel matters.
• Periodically review and make recommendations to Firm Administration for improvement of policies, procedures, and practices on personnel matters.
• Work with Firm Administration, as needed, to facilitate staff meetings with employees to discuss important updates.
• Assist with firm events, such as the Holiday Party and employee team building events.

RECORD KEEPING

• Manage the I-9 process.
• Prepare and maintain job descriptions.
• Responsible for the oversight of all data entry and upkeep of employee information in the HRIS, which includes new hire data, employee information updates, benefits information, leave information, earnings, and deductions.
• Prepare, maintain, and monitor all personnel-related files (paper and electronic) for required documentation.
• Administer COBRA.
• Coordinate responses and paperwork for unemployment claims and disability claims.
• Respond to reference requests related to former employees.

OTHER DUTIES

• Participate on committees and special projects (other duties as needed) and seek additional responsibilities.
• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and copiers/scanners.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• The employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone.
• The employee is frequently required to sit and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• The employee must be able to tolerate a moderate noise level in the work environment.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, business administration, or relevant field and at least five years of related experience or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent knowledge of employment legislation and regulations, including administration of COBRA, and ADA reasonable accommodations.
• Experience with payroll processing and administration.
• Thorough knowledge of human resource management principles.
• Excellent leadership skills.
• Outstanding communication and people skills.
• Detail oriented.
• Good critical thinking skills.
• Highly organized, with ability to manage multiple tasks at once.
• Professional demeanor.
• Diligent and firm with high ethical standards.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.

Preferred Education and Experience

SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) credential (or equivalent credential).

Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional organizations.

Experience, ideally proficiency, with HRIS systems, Paychex payroll software experience is beneficial.

Benefits

Health insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance, 401k, Professional HR organization membership, continuing education as approved.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• FLSA classification: this is a full-time, exempt position.
• Salary range: $72,000 – $80,000 per year.
• Days and hours of work are 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday-Friday.

Legal Disclaimer

Goodspeed Merrill is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by law or regulation. Qualified applicants are provided an equal opportunity and selection decisions are based on job-related factors.