Human Resources Generalist

About the Organization

American Forests is a long-standing national nonprofit dedicated to restoring and protecting forests so they continue to deliver climate, community, water, and wildlife benefits. For 150 years, the organization has worked through collaboration and innovation to make sure everyone can benefit from trees and healthy natural spaces. Its mission focuses on building a climate-resilient future through collective action.

Role Summary

The Human Resources Generalist will support American Forests’ people and culture priorities by handling core HR operations such as recruiting, onboarding, employee engagement, benefits support, and payroll administration. This role partners across teams to provide responsive HR service that reflects the organization’s mission and values.

Key Responsibilities

The position is divided across several core areas:

• Manage recruitment and onboarding activities, including posting positions, reviewing applications, screening candidates, coordinating interviews, preparing offer letters, and supporting pre-employment and new hire processes.
• Help deliver a smooth and positive candidate and employee onboarding experience, including orientation and completion of required paperwork.
• Support benefits administration by assisting with enrollment changes, answering employee questions, coordinating annual open enrollment, working with benefits vendors, resolving routine issues, and maintaining accurate records.
• Support HR compliance and operations by helping maintain alignment with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and by partnering on annual updates to policies, procedures, and the employee handbook.
• Assist with payroll administration by processing payroll changes and submissions, checking data for accuracy, resolving discrepancies with payroll providers, maintaining records, and responding to employee questions.
• Contribute to HR projects, compliance reporting, recordkeeping, and other administrative tasks as needed.

Qualifications and Experience

Applicants should have an associate’s degree or an equivalent mix of education and experience, along with 2 to 3 years of experience in human resources, recruiting, benefits, payroll, or a related field. The ideal candidate will understand basic HR practices and employment regulations, work well with confidential information, and bring strong organization, attention to detail, customer service, and interpersonal skills.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams, is expected. Experience with HRIS platforms, Office 365 applications, payroll systems, and applicant tracking systems is also important. Strong written and verbal communication skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines, and comfort working with employees and external partners at different levels are required.

Experience in a nonprofit setting is preferred, and a current HR certification is also preferred.

Reporting Structure

This role reports to the Vice President, Human Resources and does not have direct reports at present.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a temporary, full-time, salaried exempt position with a budgeted annual salary range of $60,000 to $65,000.

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; an employee assistance program; flexible spending accounts; disability, life, and AD&D insurance; vacation and sick leave; paid holidays; parental bonding leave; bereavement leave; military leave; and a 401(k) plan with a 5% employer match. Additional employee perks include a technology stipend and pet benefits.

Work Environment and Conditions

This is a remote role based in the United States. Occasional travel is required for staff events, meetings, and other gatherings in the Washington, D.C. area and at other U.S. locations. The job also requires the ability to sit or stand for long periods and use a computer and other office equipment. Reasonable accommodation may be available to support individuals in performing essential job functions.

Equal Opportunity and Inclusion

American Forests is committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplace. The organization welcomes candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and supports opportunities for growth and advancement. It is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without discrimination based on protected characteristics, including race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.

Minority, female, disabled, veteran, and LGBTQ+ candidates are encouraged to apply. The posting also includes federal civil rights and accessibility language stating that program information can be made available in alternative formats and languages, and that reasonable accommodation may be provided where required.