HR Generalist

Job Description

Job Description

About Urban Growers Collective

Urban Growers Collective (UGC) is a Black-women led nonprofit based in Chicago, IL that aims to address inequities and structural racism that exist within the food system and communities of color. Rooted in growing food, UGC cultivates nourishing environments which support health, economic development, healing and creativity through urban agriculture.

UGC is built upon the foundation of Growing Power, a non-profit organization and land trust established in Milwaukee, WI in 1993. Erika Allen opened Growing Power’s Chicago office in February 2002 to address the need for inclusive, impactful, and economically viable food system models at all scales. After Growing Power closed, the Chicago Office leadership team formed Urban Growers Collective in 2017 to build upon its previous successes.

Today, UGC operates 8 farms over 11 acres primarily located on the South Side of Chicago, a 30-acre farm in Chicago Heights , and is a strategic partner in the 9-acre Green Era Campus renewable energy facility and hub for urban agriculture in Auburn Gresham. While our work is rooted in farming, UGC’s approach is holistic. Our farms produce over 23,000 pounds of fresh produce annually, enabling market pathways for emerging growers and increasing food access for tens of thousands of food-insecure Chicagoans. UGC’s farms also provide safe and healing spaces for life-enriching opportunities to hundreds of individuals each year through job training & education programming, public workshops, and land stewardship.

Position:

This role will be the first of its kind at UGC. As a growing entrepreneurial organization, UGC needs someone to own and execute our HR Administrative function. The person who will succeed in this role is an energetic self-starter, comfortable wearing many hats. This generalist will be responsible for recruiting, employee benefits, compensation, compliance, performance management, and other HR responsibilities. The HR Generalist will have no direct reports but will join a collaborative and passionate team dedicated to our mission.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage and update employee information in the HRIS system, and maintain personnel files
• Conduct new hire background and pre-employment screenings (background checks, state regulation compliance)
• Maintain employee, risk management, safety, and benefits records
• Communicate benefit offerings to employees
• Implement, monitor and report on Annual Enrollment processes
• Maintain knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law
• Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality
• Assist with performance reviews as needed
• Monitor the completion of required employee training
• Reconcile timesheets, and track PTO
• Ensure policies and procedures are up to date
• Perform other duties as assigned and assists with ad-hoc requests and projects

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources or Administration, or equivalent experience
• 2+ years of previous Human Resources Generalist or Human Resources Manager experience
• Experience in a wide array of areas within HR such as onboarding, benefits, employee relations, training & development, employee relations, etc.
• Working knowledge of benefits plans, benefits-related policies, and associated laws (FMLA, COBRA, state disability laws, etc.)
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with a strong customer service mentality and high degree of integrity, accountability, and emotional intelligence
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects/tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and deadlines
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficient with Google Suite or related software
• Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn OnPay
• Comfort with reporting to a shared leadership function
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels on the organization
• Prior experience with grief counseling with regards to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice is a plus

UGC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or genetics.