Description

POSITION: 12 Month (Full Time)

REPORTS TO: Head of Finance and Operations         

MISSION STATEMENT

In a safe, challenging, nurturing, and disciplined environment, Valley School provides a      

balanced and strong program of study for a diverse group of children. Our goal is to stimulate in each young person lifelong habits of moral behavior, seeking wisdom, and doing good works for others.

SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY

Valley School is committed to nurturing each child’s full potential through a personalized, whole-child approach that fosters intellectual growth, self-discipline, compassion, and resilience. With a strong academic foundation rooted in traditional subjects and enriched by the arts, athletics, and experiential learning, the School emphasizes effort, personal responsibility, and meaningful connections. Success is achieved through a close-knit community of families and educators working together with shared purpose and high expectations for each child’s well-being and development.

THE ROLE

The Human Resources Generalist provides support, oversight, and leadership across the full HR spectrum, with a strong focus on payroll, employee handbook design and maintenance, job specifications, benefits administration, and employee relations. This role also serves as a trusted advisor to staff and leadership, nurturing a culture where people feel heard, valued, and supported.

The Human Resources Generalists champion Valley’s core values by modeling trustworthiness, empathy, and professional excellence, ensuring HR operations are legally compliant, ethically sound, and mission-aligned.

CORE HR OPERATIONS

• Payroll Administration
  Manage the entire payroll cycle for all employees, ensuring accurate, timely processing and compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
• Benefits Administration
  Manage benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, leave policies, and employee well-being initiatives. Serve as the primary liaison to vendors and advisors.
• Employee Handbook & Policy Design
  Develop, update, and maintain the employee handbook and HR policies to ensure they are current, legally compliant, and clear. Educate staff on policies and expectations.
• Job Descriptions, specifications & Search
  Create and maintain accurate, standards-aligned job descriptions and classification documentation for all roles, and lead job searches and coordination of interviews.
• Other Duties as assigned

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS, CULTURE & COLLABORATION

• Act as a trusted point of contact for employees, addressing workplace concerns with discretion and empathy.
• Promote a healthy and inclusive workplace through open communication, respectful listening, and proactive engagement.
• Lead initiatives that reinforce staff well-being, morale, and shared commitment to the school's mission.
• Coordinate onboarding and offboarding with attention to community integration and continuity.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

•  Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
•  3+ years of HR experience, including both generalist and leadership responsibilities.
•  Demonstrated success with:
  • Payroll and benefits administration
  • Drafting/updating employee handbooks and policies
  • Developing clear job descriptions
  • Navigating employee relations and compliance matters

Preferred

• Experience in an independent school or nonprofit educational setting.
• HR certification (SHRM-CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR) preferred.
• Familiarity with school-year employment cycles and faculty/staff structures.
• Proficiency with HRIS/payroll systems.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

This role requires a leader who can bridge policy and people, systems and empathy. Key attributes include:

• Trustworthiness & Integrity: Acts as a dependable resource and fair steward of confidential information.
• Community-Minded Leadership: Builds relationships with faculty, staff, and leadership that strengthen the school’s culture.
• Wellness Advocacy: Champions staff well-being, mental health, and work-life balance.
• Growth Orientation: Models lifelong learning and self-reflection, in alignment with the school’s educational mission.
• Clear Communicator: Provides accessible, transparent communication across the community members.
• Inclusive Approach: Promotes equity and ensures that policies and practices serve a diverse school community.

SALARY/BENEFITS 

Valley School of Ligonier is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding employees through a competitive total compensation package.  Salary and benefits are based on industry standards.  

TO APPLY 

Qualified applicants should email the following documents to Mary Mehala, Head of Finance and Operations, mmehala@valleyschoolofligonier.org Cover letter Updated CV/Resume List of three professional references

Valley School of Ligonier, founded in 1946, is a coeducational day school located on a 400-acre rural campus southeast of Pittsburgh.  Valley School aims to provide a balanced and strong program of study for a diverse group of children.  The school has roughly 180 students in grades K-8, with about half of those in the Middle School division.  VSL is committed to the professional growth and development of its faculty and staff.  For more information about VSL, please visit:  www.valleyschoolofligonier.org

The Valley School of Ligonier seeks to attract qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds to its faculty, staff, and student body.  The School does not discriminate against any individual in admissions, educational programs, personnel policies, general practices, or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, or age.