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Human Resources Generalist

Key Facts

Remote From: 
Category:  HR Specialist
Fixed term
English

Other Skills

  • Organizational Skills
  • Customer Service
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Detail Oriented
  • Social Skills
  • Client Confidentiality
  • Time Management

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Associate's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • 2-3 years of experience in human resources, recruiting, benefits administration, payroll, or related areas
  • Knowledge of basic HR practices and employment regulations
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Requirements:

  • Post job openings on internal and external job boards
  • Review resumes and applications to identify qualified candidates
  • Conduct initial phone screenings and candidate outreach
  • Coordinate onboarding activities for new employees

Job description

Our Mission in Action

Trees play a vital role in solving some of the most pressing issues facing our communities and natural spaces today. For 150 years, American Forests has stood boldly at the forefront of the conservation movement, working collaboratively and innovatively to ensure that all people have access to the benefits of trees. As we look ahead to the next 150, continued collective action will be essential to securing a healthy, climate-resilient future for all.


Who You Are

The HR Generalist will play a critical role in advancing American Forests’ culture and people strategy by supporting day-to-day HR administration, including recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, and benefits and payroll administration.

This role works collaboratively across departments to provide high-quality HR support that aligns with American Forests’ mission and values.


What You’ll Do

As a part of the team, you will collaborate with internal and external partners. Major responsibilities include:


Talent Acquisition and Onboarding (40%)

  • Post job openings on internal and external job boards.
  • Review resumes and applications to identify qualified candidates.
  • Conduct initial phone screenings and candidate outreach.
  • Coordinate and schedule interviews with hiring managers and candidates.
  • Maintain applicant tracking records and recruitment documentation.
  • Prepare offer letters and coordinate pre-employment activities.
  • Support hiring managers throughout the recruitment process.
  • Ensure a positive candidate experience throughout the hiring cycle.
  • Coordinate onboarding activities for new employees.
  • Facilitate orientation and ensure completion of required documentation.

Benefits Administration and Compensation (25%)

  • Assist with employee benefits enrollment and changes.
  • Serve as a point of contact for employee benefits questions.
  • Coordinate annual open enrollment activities.
  • Liaise with benefits vendors and resolve routine issues and perform periodic audits.
  • Maintain benefits records and documentation.

Compliance and HR Operations (15%)

  • Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including FLSA, ACA, FMLA, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, OSHA, HIPAA, and ADA
  • Partner with the VP of HR to update policies, procedures, and the employee handbook annually.

Payroll Administration (10%)

  • Process payroll submissions and payroll-related changes.
  • Review payroll data for accuracy and completeness.
  • Coordinate with payroll providers to resolve discrepancies.
  • Maintain payroll records and supporting documentation.
  • Assist employees with payroll-related questions.

Other Duties (10%)

  • Support HR projects and initiatives as assigned.
  • Assist with compliance reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
  • Perform other HR administrative duties as needed


What We’re Looking For

We don’t expect you to check every single box. If this role excites you, we want to hear from you! We’re interested in your ability to learn, collaborate, and bring fresh perspectives.

  • Associate's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • 2-3 years of experience in human resources, recruiting, benefits administration, payroll, or related areas.
  • Knowledge of basic HR practices and employment regulations.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
  • Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams).
  • Experience using HRIS, Office365 (specifically Word, Power Point and Excel), payroll, and applicant tracking systems.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with employees and outside partners at all levels
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
  • Previous experience working for a non-profit organization is preferred
  • Current HR Certification is preferred

Reporting and Supervision

The HR Generalist reports to Vice President, Human Resources. This position does not have any direct reports at this time.


Compensation & Benefits

This is a temporary full-time, salaried exempt position. The budgeted salary range is between $60,000 and $65,000. 


Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support employees’ health, financial well-being, and overall quality of life. We offer medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with health and wellness resources such as an Employee Assistance Program, flexible spending accounts, and disability, life, and AD&D insurance. To promote work-life balance, employees receive vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, parental bonding leave, bereavement leave, and military leave. Financial and retirement benefits include a 401(k) plan with a 5% employer match. Additional perks, such as a technology stipend and pet benefits, further enhance the overall employee experience.


Working Conditions

This is a remote position based in the United States. Occasional travel is required to attend staff events, meetings and other social functions in the Washington, D.C. area and other locations in the U.S. This position requires the ability to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods and to operate a computer and other office equipment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to support individuals across the full range of abilities and experiences in performing the essential functions of the job.


About Us

American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to large forest landscapes, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the U.S. working to restore urban forests and forested landscapes for over 150 years. 


American Forests is proud to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible workplace. These are our shared values. We welcome individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our team to help make a difference individually and collectively as we work toward achieving our mission. We are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful and provides opportunities for advancement and professional growth for every team member. 


American Forests is an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. Reasonable accommodation may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/LGBTQ+ Encouraged to Apply

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.

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