Human Resources Assistant Jobs in District of Columbia
Human Resources Assistant jobs in District of Columbia are in high demand, driven by the city's dense concentration of federal agencies, government contractors, associations, and nonprofits that together form one of the most active HR hiring markets on the East Coast. Most openings are concentrated in Washington, D.C. itself, with notable activity in adjacent corridors like Arlington and Bethesda, where employers such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and the American Red Cross consistently recruit HR support staff. The most sought-after specialties include federal HR compliance, onboarding coordination, and HRIS data entry. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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SUMMARY
The Human Resources Generalist will partner directly with the Senior Human Resources Manager to manage daily human resources operations, lead and assist with recruitment initiatives, and fully execute the bi-weekly payroll cycle. This position plays an integral role in maintaining compliance, driving process improvements, and serving as a trusted primary resource for employee relations and operational workflows across the organization.
BENEFITS:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance for the employee at no cost to the employee
- Additional medical plan options available at a small monthly cost
- Employee responsible for monthly premiums for additional dependents
- Health Savings Account (HSA) available depending on medical plan selection. Company contributes monthly ($150/ employee or $300/employee+)
- LTD, STD, and life insurance for the employee at no cost to the employee
- Minimum of 160 hours (20 days) of PTO
- Most federal holidays are observed; the employee’s birthday is observed as a holiday
- Guaranteed salary raises every year depending on CPI
- Up to 4% bonus every year depending on previous year’s performance
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Manage, audit, and execute the full bi-weekly payroll cycle using Paycom, ensuring total accuracy, regulatory compliance, and proper labor allocations.
Oversee and maintain employee records within Paycom and SharePoint, ensuring strict adherence to company policies, internal controls, and data retention regulations.
Lead the full-cycle talent acquisition process, including collaborating with hiring managers, drafting job descriptions, screening resumes, coordinating interviews, and managing candidate tracking.
Manage comprehensive onboarding and offboarding workflows, including leading orientation sessions, overseeing background checks, verifying I-9 documentation, preparing separation agreements, and coordinating final payouts.
Provide employee support for company benefits—including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA/HSA, pre-tax transit, and 401(k)—while leading open enrollment system configuration and billing reconciliations
Serve as a primary point of contact for employee inquiries, actively resolving issues related to company policies, leave administration (FMLA/STD), payroll variances, and system navigation.
Partner with the Senior HR Manager to handle employee relations matters, support performance management workflows, and draft standardized operating procedures (SOPs).
Maintain absolute confidentiality and apply a high level of discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment when handling sensitive personnel information.
Perform other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities but will provide operational leadership, guidance, and training to staff on HR processes and system usage.
QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university; or two to three years of progressive, hands-on experience in HR operations, benefits administration, and payroll processing; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
A minimum of two years of human resource management experience preferred.
SHRM-CP or PHR is highly desired.
Strong problem-solving abilities, exceptional attention to detail, and a proven track record of working independently with minimal day-to-day oversight.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
Spanish preferred.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, prorated pay rates, tax withholdings, retirement matches, and benefit premium deductions. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and analyze numerical trends in workforce data.
REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
COMPUTER SKILLS
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of: Internet Software; Payroll Systems (Paycom preferred); Spreadsheet Software (Excel); Word Processing Software (Word); Electronic Mail Software (Outlook).
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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
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Find JobsHuman Resources Assistant Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Human Resources Assistant Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in human resources assistant jobs across District of Columbia.
- Associate or bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field
- Proficiency with HRIS platforms such as Workday, PeopleSoft, or ADP
- Experience processing new hire paperwork, onboarding documents, and personnel files
- Strong knowledge of federal employment regulations and District of Columbia labor law
- Ability to handle confidential employee data with discretion and accuracy
- Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification or SHRM-CP preferred by many D.C. employers
Human Resources Assistant Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a human resources assistant in District of Columbia?
Most human resources assistant roles in D.C. require at minimum an associate degree, though a bachelor's degree in human resources or business administration is increasingly expected given the competitive market. No state-issued license is required for the role in D.C., but earning a SHRM-CP or PHR credential signals professional readiness and is valued by federal contractors and large nonprofits that dominate the local market. Entry candidates can also target roles in federal agencies through USAJOBS, where many HR assistant positions are filled at the GS-5 or GS-7 level.
Which companies hire human resources assistants in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia human resources assistant roles are posted by Goldbelt, EMCOR, and Serco and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. D.C.'s heavy concentration of defense contractors, federal agencies, trade associations, and large nonprofits means HR assistant openings appear year-round across a broad range of mission-driven and government-adjacent organizations.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most human resources assistant jobs?
Washington and Washington Navy Yard lead in human resources assistant openings in District of Columbia. Washington, D.C. itself accounts for the largest share, anchored by the federal government, major contractors, and national associations headquartered along the K Street corridor, while nearby Arlington and Bethesda generate consistent demand through their clusters of defense contractors, healthcare systems, and research institutions.
Are there remote human resources assistant jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, and more than many comparable markets. About 82% of human resources assistant openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting the region's strong culture of flexible work, especially among contractors and associations. Tasks like HRIS data entry, benefits coordination, and onboarding documentation are the most commonly performed remotely, while in-person presence is still expected for employee relations support and on-site compliance functions.
How can I get hired as a human resources assistant in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to federal HR assistant positions through USAJOBS, where GS-5 and GS-7 postings are specifically structured for candidates with limited experience and prioritize recent graduates or those with a qualifying degree. Large D.C.-area contractors like Booz Allen Hamilton and Leidos also run associate and early-career programs that funnel candidates into HR coordinator and assistant roles. Lateral moves from administrative assistant or payroll clerk positions are common, and completing a SHRM student membership or completing an HR-focused internship at a local association or nonprofit gives candidates a clear edge.
Where can I find and apply to human resources assistant jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to human resources assistant jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current D.C.-area openings. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and target employers, and apply directly to the positions that fit.
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