Human Resource Generalist-Administrative Assistant

We’re looking for a Human Resource Generalist- Administrative Assistant to perform routine functions of the HR department who will complete administrative tasks at a high standard. You’ll administer employee benefit programs and routinely perform a wide variety of supportive duties that may include event planning, payroll functions, and arranging industry travel accommodations for staff and board members. Additionally, you’ll be responsible for creating and implementing employee training and development programs, analyzing compensation and benefits trends, and researching and suggesting competitive base and incentive programs to attract and retain top talent for the organization.  The ideal candidate will have a degree in Human Resources or 3-5 years of experience in human resources or a related field.  SHRM-CP or a PHR certification is preferred but not required.  To apply, send a resume to hr@wcta.net by December 17, 2023. EOE


HR Resource Generalist-Administrative Assistant – Job Description

Reports to: CEO/General Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Supervises: N/A

Position Summary:

Human Resource Generalist-Administrative Assistant will complete all routine functions of the Human Resources (HR) department.  Including but not limited to leave; disciplinary matters; disputes and investigations; performance and talent management; productivity, recognition, and morale; occupational health and safety; and training and development, benefit administration.  Job duties will also include providing administrative support to the GM/CEO, members of the Management Team and Board of directors.  These may include but are not limited to meeting minutes, contract assistance and industry meeting & travel arrangements.

Essential Job Functions:

  • Provide high-level administrative support and assistance while handling routine questions and requests, scheduling and executive mail, email and phone correspondence that could be time-sensitive and confidential in nature.
  • Assist with special projects by compiling information, performing research, and summarizing data for presentations.
  • Support the CEO as needed for board meeting prep and follow-up..
  • Schedule travel arrangements and secure itineraries for the Management Team, Employees and Board of Directors.  This includes flight arrangements, hotel accommodations, transportation, meeting registration and itineraries.
  • Partner with the management team to understand and execute the organization’s human resource and talent strategy particularly as it relates to current and future talent needs, recruiting, retention, and succession planning.
  • Provide support and guidance to the management team and other company staff when complex, specialized, and sensitive questions and issues arise; may be required to administer and execute routine tasks in a delicate circumstance such as providing reasonable accommodations, investigating allegations, and terminations.
  • Performs a broad variety of highly confidential administrative support duties to relieve CEO/GM of administrative details.
  • Analyze trends in compensation and benefits; research and propose competitive base and incentive programs to ensure the organization attracts and retains top talent.
  • Create learning and development programs and initiatives that provide internal development opportunities for employees.
  • Implement and develop employee training programs that includes Leadership program, management trainings (how to conduct interviews, performance reviews, documentation, etc), maximizing employee performance training on software, new employee training, and any training that would benefit the employees.  Works with the management team to either develop training or find effective training courses and workshops for employees.  Manage any online learning platforms.
  • Oversee and maintain the company performance system and compensation structure.
  • Manages employment-related activities including recruiting, hiring, orientation, disciplinary actions and terminations to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations affecting employment.
  • Maintain job descriptions, coordinates performance review process with managers, coordinates pay increase implementation and benefit enrollments.
  • Administer employee benefits programs.  Coordinates with vendors and facilitates open enrollment. Resolves escalated benefits questions and issues by conferring with vendors and employees as needed.
  • Maintain employee records per federal guidelines.
  • Develop and implement human resource policies and procedures in accordance with changes in regulations. Maintain and update employee, board & operating handbooks.
  • Acknowledges employee personal events by working closely with the CEO/GM in coordinating timely distribution company communications and gifts.  May include items such as birthday gifts,  sympathy cards, gift well cards, flowers, or gifts to employees experiencing illness or a death in the family.
  • Maintains documents and schedules company health card appointments for employees to keep in compliance.
  • Maintain HRIS system and produce various census, compensation, and organizational reports as needed.
  • Monitor worker’s compensation claims and coordinate correspondence and contact between employee and insurance carrier. Updates OSHA reports as appropriate.
  • Handles, tracks, and processes all employees leave of absences to include FMLA, Short & Long-term disability leaves, worker’s compensation leave, and other leave of absence requests.
  • Assist the designated Safety Coordinator as needed with the company safety manual and training.
  • Support, and perform as needed, the payroll function and file and pay the appropriate payroll taxes and W-2’s.
  • Routinely perform a wide variety of supportive duties.
  • Assist with event planning such as, but not limited to, annual meeting, customer and employee events.
  • Performs corresponding duties for subsidiaries of West Central Telephone including but not limited to Zenergy LLC.
  • Performs all other related duties as assigned by management. *

*These tasks do not meet the Americans with Disabilities Act definition of essential job functions and are usually less than 5% of time spent.  However, these tasks still constitute important performance aspects of the job.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Knowledge of human resources principles and practices.
  • Knowledge of state and federal human resource laws and regulations.
  • Knowledge of employee benefits plan and benefits claim process.
  • Knowledge of OHSA annual training requirements.
  • Knowledge of company policies and procedures.
  • Knowledge of management principles and practices.
  • Knowledge of company products and services.
  • Knowledge of payroll principles and practices.
  • Skill in operating office equipment.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
  • Skill in handling sensitive situations in a professional manner.
  • Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
  • Ability to organize and prioritize multiple work assignments.
  • Ability to pay close attention to detail.
  • Ability to make sound decisions using information at hand.
  • Ability to create a team environment and sustain employee morale.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Education and Experience:

  • Degree in Human Resources or related field or equivalent work experience.  3-5 years’ experience in human resources or related experience.  SHRM-CP or a PHR certification preferred but not required. 
  • High school diploma or GED, required.

Physical Requirements:

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS0-24%25-49%50-74%75-100%
Seeing: Must be able to read computer screen and various reports.     X
Hearing: Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with Employees and business contacts.            X
Standing/Walking:X        
Climbing/Stooping/Kneeling:X         
Lifting/Pulling/Pushing:X      
Fingering/Grasping/Feeling: Must be able to write, type, and use phone system.          X

Working Conditions:

Good working conditions with the absence of disagreeable conditions.

Note:  The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.  Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

Olson Ag

Olson Ag has been around for a long time, although you may know it by its former name, Olson’s Custom Farm Services. Olson Ag is a 3rd-generation company. It was founded in 1930 by Melvin Olson when he started managing the Sebeka Pederson-Biddick store and remains family owned and operated.

Melvin’s son Murlin purchased the business in 1974 and expanded it through acquisitions:

Murlin’s son Mac Olson worked alongside his dad, and in 2007, Mac took over the business.

Olson Ag has locations in Sebeka, Verndale and Staples. It serves farmers, ranchers and hobby farmers throughout central Minnesota and offers a wide array of ag-related products and services, which include feed, seed, fertilizer and chemical needs. The Sebeka location offers a wide variety of supplies in the store and features a convenient drive-through dome for loading up your supplies. The business also carries a full line of farm equipment parts and offers crop and livestock equipment for sale or rent. Being rural, Olson Ag tries to source their products locally whenever possible.

When asked what makes Olson Ag stand out, Mac said, “Working with our customers to get them what they need is the most rewarding part of my job. What makes us stand out is that extra mile we’ll go to provide the best customer service.”

Olson Ag relies on West Central Telephone for phone and internet services as well as a surveillance system so Mac and his team can keep an eye on the business even when they’re not on location.

Olson Ag’s main location is in Sebeka at 29238 US Hwy 71. For more information, you can call 218-837-5749, or visit www.olsonscustomfarmservices.com. Follow them on Facebook .

The Pirate’s Den Bar & Restaurant

Brian Hagen has been a business owner for over 35 years. One of his latest endeavors is the restaurant formerly known as Maasconi’s, which he’s renamed The Pirate’s Den Bar & Restaurant. When he purchased the restaurant, there were no operating gas stations in Verndale. Brian really wanted a gas station in town, and ever the entrepreneur, he added a Cenex C-Store and station to the business.


The Pirate’s Den Bar & Restaurant can accommodate large or small groups and private parties, offering a full menu and full bar. It’s a fun environment with a friendly staff ready to serve you. Their winter hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm, and Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm.


The C-Store opened in January 2021 and sells hot deli food, frozen foods, and a wide variety of groceries. A customer favorite and “must try” is the broasted chicken. Its hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 6 am to 9 pm, Friday from 6 am to 10 pm, and Sunday from 6 am to 8 pm.


Brian relies on West Central Telephone for his phone, internet, and Manage MyWiFi services. He does most of his advertising on Facebook, posting specials of the day or week, and with the volume of takeout orders, he’s thankful for reliable phone service.


The Pirates Den Bar & Restaurant is located at 210 W Service Dr. in Verndale. You can reach them by calling 218-445-2855. For daily specials, check their Facebook page.

For a Good Cause 10-Digit Dialing Must Start

For a good cause… ten-digit dialing must be implemented in all areas of the U.S.

This is due to technical reasons supporting the new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) directive adopting 988 as the three-digit number to be used nationwide to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline. For 988 to work in the 218-area code, 10-digit local dialing must first be implemented, which means you will need to change the way you dial local calls.

The 988 hotline is starting July 16, 2022. Customers should continue to dial 1-800-273-TALK to reach the Lifeline until July 16, 2022.

What will be the new dialing procedure?
To complete all local calls, you will now need to dial 218 + telephone number. This applies to all calls within your area code that are currently dialed with seven digits.

Who will be affected?
Anyone with a telephone number with the area code 218 will need to make this change from 7-digit local dialing to 10-digit local dialing.

When will the change begin?
Beginning April 24, 2021, you can and should begin dialing 10 digits (218 + telephone number) for all local calls. If you forget and dial just 7 digits, for now, your call will still be completed.

Beginning January 1, 2022, you must dial 10-digits (218 + telephone number) for all local calls. On and after this date, local calls dialed with only 7-digits may not be completed, and a recording will inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed. You must hang up and dial again using the area code and the 7-digit number.

Reprogram Your Auto Dialers
In addition to changing the way you dial local calls, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to complete calls to 7-digit local numbers will need to be reprogrammed to complete calls to 10-digit numbers.

Some examples are life safety systems or medical monitoring devices, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, fire or burglar alarm and security systems or gates, speed dialers, mobile or other wireless phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services and other similar functions. Be sure to check your website, personal and business stationery, advertising materials, personal and business checks, contact information, your personal or pet ID tags, and other such items to ensure the area code is included.

What will remain the same?
• Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
• The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the dialing change.
• What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
• You will continue to dial 1+ area code + telephone number for all long-distance calls.
• You can still dial just three digits to reach 711 (relay services) and 911 (emergency services).
• 211, 411, 511, 611, or 811 services can still be reached by dialing their three-digit codes.
• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can still be reached by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Who may you contact with questions?
If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call our office at 218-837-5151 or access www.wcta.net for more information. You can also visit the FCC website.

And remember, if you or anyone you know needs it, beginning July 16, 2022, dialing “988” will quickly route your call to National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline.

For more information see the FCC Announcement.

#988SuicideHotline

Dialing 988 for Suicide Prevention Begins July 2022

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is adopting 988 as the three-digit number to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline. Use begins July 16, 2022 nationwide. You should continue to dial 1-800-273-TALK to reach the Lifeline until July 16, 2022.

For more information see the FCC Announcement.

#988SuicideHotline

Beneath Your Rural Feet

Driving through Main Street in Sebeka, the back-country roads of Wolf Lake or Wadena, from cabins in Menahga all the way to farms in Staples and Verndale… the picture is rural.

To those who live here our communities offer the vital space to live out our independent spirits. We experience our communities as active and vibrant; full of fun-loving, hardworking people. Throughout this report, you’ll see pictures of our employees and their families ejoying life in our area. Just like you.

Yet, to an outsider the wide-open spaces can look different. A simple, but underdeveloped Main Street, or an occasional dilapidated rural building, might look sleepy. One home every mile, compared to many in just one block is the lifestyle difference. More specifically, in the United States, rural areas have just 6% of the overall population, but about 50% of the territory.

Despite the appearance and density differences, there is something else that makes us quite unique.

Someone unfamiliar might be surprised to know that running silently underfoot is a lit-glass communication system that rivals any in the world. This ‘lit-glass’ is a fiber-optic network that connects directly to each business and residence in our area. On it, ultra-high-speed broadband internet is available to every corner of our service area.

Because of our early adoption to this fiber-optic network, your cooperative, with technical experts and leading management continues to expand and transform this region into a communication powerhouse ripe with opportunity for every rural corner.

As evidence of our leadership, we regularly give input to legislative offices such as Amy Klobuchar’s on telecommunications issues affecting rural areas. The public and cooperative investments made here are a rural model for advancing telecommunications infrastructure.

We work hard every day to make this rural area a great place to live and work. We invite you to secure the opportunities and embrace our leading technologies. Thank you for making us a part of your rural life.

#ruraliscool

Cabin Life & Fast Internet

Tucked away in a Menahga family cabin is where Ida Moen Johnson retreated with her husband during the Covid-19 shutdown earlier this year. As the outside world was in turmoil, peace and tranquility descended upon them as they enjoyed their stay in the area.

For Ida, the time was extra special. Not just because she got to enjoy cabin life, but she was able to use the time to finish her PhD in Scandinavian Languages and Literatures at the University of California, Berkeley in May. The idea came when her father (former MN Representative Clark Johnson, 19A from 2013 to 2018) had praise for the cooperative and their communication services. He knew it was a special place where she could accomplish something.

How could a PhD in Menahga be possible? Well, it starts with directly connected fiber-optic internet provided by West Central Telephone. According to Ida, she was allowed flawless on-line research capability from the middle of very rural Minnesota. She communicated effortlessly worldwide from San Francisco to Scandinavia and points in between. The service and support she received were better in Menahga than big-city metro areas where she has lived in the past.

Rural Co-op Fiber-optics

With the rural fiber-optic internet network that connects to every corner and every cabin of the West Central Telephone service area, the possibilities are limitless for development. As a communications cooperative our first mission is to assure the region has access to the technology it needs to thrive in the 21st century. And because there are no investors to pay first, every dollar invested quickly goes to make sure the internet service to every corner of the service area is built. Fast, reliable internet is a reality to even the most remote places.

This rural fiber-optic network investment by West Central Telephone is made possible through years of diligent management dedication to developing technology infrastructure for the area. As a cooperative this is a perfect example of implementation of trailblazing rural services created by co-op community partnerships.

The result is that from rural business operations, to work-from-home, and student situations like Ida’s, anything is possible with direct fiber-optic internet.

When Ida was approached to tell her story, she was happy to do so because having access to great internet is good for democracy and the future of rural America. Ida moved on and thanks to the PhD she was able to acquire while here, is now a Visiting Assistant Professor at St. Olaf College. We wish her well and will be glad to see her and the entire crew visiting at the Menahga cabin as the family tradition continues.

Ready for Development Today

For more information about direct fiber-optic internet in rural Minnesota, please reach out. We’re happy to tell our trailblazing story of how fiber-optic internet is changing the landscape of our region… making it ready for any development to come. Thank you for choosing West Central Telephone.

#ruraliscool

MegaPuck2011

MegaPuck2011

“They are a technologically far superior and advanced telephone company compared to bigger city companies. Great customer service to boot!”

James K.

James K.

“Very helpful.”

Randy N.

Randy N.

“Josh was right on time and didn’t leave till everything was working. Thanks again.”