HR Generalist

Description

Company Background:

Alta Forest Products, in partnership with Itochu Building Products, is the world's largest producer of wood fence boards. It specializes in Western Red Cedar and other premium species found in the Pacific and Inland Northwest forests. In addition to producing fence boards and pallet stock lumber, Alta's zero-wood-waste sawmills produce by-products such as wood chips, sawdust, mulch, and biofuel. 

Headquartered in centrally located Chehalis, Washington, Alta, operates fence board sawmills in four other rural communities: Morton, WA; Shelton, WA; Amanda Park, WA; and Naples, ID and two reload facilities in Bonners Ferry, ID and Winlock, WA

The Role:

We are seeking an experienced HR Generalist to join our growing team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in human resources, with a focus on employee relations, recruitment, and compliance. As an HR Generalist, you will be responsible for providing support to the HR department and ensuring that all HR policies and procedures are followed.

We are a team of seven HR professionals supporting a staff of about 600. The best fit for us would be someone who is always ready to pitch in, lend a hand, and enjoys working in a collaborative setting. For us, the status quo is not acceptable; we jump at the opportunity to make improvements, and we are dedicated, driven, and enthusiastic about what we do. We operate as jacks or jil-of-all-trades currently in our department and are looking forward to bringing on someone who can own this part of the employee lifecycle. We often share our wins and celebrate our failures as learning opportunities, and we work with integrity and safety as core principals. 

Responsibilities:

• Manages the pre-employment process; generates and tracks documents; verifies compliance with job requirements. Interacts with applicants and new hires to provide excellent customer service and ensure a positive and efficient candidate experience. Runs various reports, answers questions, and provides support to other HR team members
• Conduct new hire orientations and ensure that all new employees are properly onboarded
• Provide guidance and support to employees on HR-related issues, including benefits, policies, and procedures
• Assists in the coordination and management of leave of absence programs, including tracking and documenting employee leaves, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, and maintaining accurate records.
• Serve as a point of contact for employees and managers regarding leave of absence policies, procedures, and documentation requirements. Respond to inquiries, provide guidance, and facilitate communication between employees, managers, and the Program Lead.
• Assist with the development and implementation of HR policies and procedures
• Maintain accurate employee records and ensure compliance with all federal and state regulations
• Assist with performance management and employee relations issues
• Provide backup support to Payroll and Benefits processes.
• Maintains accurate and complete paper and electronic records. Conducts audits of employee records. 
• Stay up-to-date on HR trends and best practices
• Maintains confidentiality of all candidate and employee data and other sensitive HR-related information.
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 3 years of experience in HR, with a focus on employee relations, recruitment, and compliance
• Strong knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and HRIS/Payroll systems, Paylocity would be a plus. 

Work Environment

This role will operate in a professional office, with occasional visits to log yards, reload facilities, and sawmills. While performing the duties of this job, employees may be exposed to machinery and moving mechanical parts and will be exposed to noise, hazards, airborne particulates, and temperature changes in both indoor and outdoor weather conditions. 

Position Type/Travel 

This is a full-time position, and overtime work may be required as projects or job duties demand. A typical schedule requires the ability to work 40 hours a week. In-office days and hours are dependent on department and business needs; we'll provide flexible hours/days as long as it works for both parties. Flexibility to work evenings or weekends to accommodate critical goals and objectives may be necessary. Travel to local facilities 10%-15%

Physical Demands

An employee must meet the physical demands described here to perform this job's essential functions successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile.
• This position requires the regular and frequent use of office computer equipment.
• The employee will need to occasionally lift or carry 25 pounds or more and may, at times, be required to lift/move up to 50 pounds.
• This position may require standing, sitting, walking, bending, kneeling, and stooping for a period of time. 
• The employee is frequently required to use their hands to finger, handle, feel, climb, or balance.

Benefits & Pay

• Starting Pay: $28.00 - $36.00 per hour (starting wage dependent on qualifications and experience)
• Semi-Annual Bonus Program
• Flexible Work Schedule
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous Medical / Dental / Vision Insurance for both employee and family
• Employer-paid Employee and Family Life Insurance
• Paid time off, Vacation, Holiday, Sick Leave
• Employee Referral Program
• Retirement Savings Plan with a 4.5% employer 401k match
• Short Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Supplemental Insurance Options, Additional Life, Pet, Illness, and Accident Insurance.