Human Resources Generalist

Role Overview

The Human Resources Generalist is the central support role for the people operations team at King City Gardens. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, this position supports the complete employee journey across licensed cannabis cultivation and retail operations. Reporting to the Director of HR, the role serves as a primary contact for employees and managers, managing recruitment, credentialing, employee relations, investigations, compliance, and exit processes. Every part of the job is closely tied to Ohio cannabis regulations, Ohio Administrative Code 1301:18, and broader employment law.

Recruitment and Onboarding

• Manage end-to-end hiring for cultivation, production, packaging, retail, and administrative positions, from posting the job through final offer acceptance.
• Complete I-9 employment eligibility checks in line with federal requirements.
• Handle Ohio DCC background screening and employee credentialing for all new hires, while keeping an active tracker for credential status and renewal dates.
• Build and run onboarding sessions that cover compliance expectations, METRC seed-to-sale basics, and an introduction to Ohio Administrative Code 1301:18.
• Work with department leaders to confirm that job-specific safety and SOP training is finished before employees begin unsupervised work.

Employee Relations and Performance

• Act as a confidential and dependable contact for employee questions, concerns, and workplace issues.
• Guide managers through performance improvement plans, corrective actions, and discipline processes aligned with company policy and Ohio law.
• Conduct stay interviews and exit interviews, then turn turnover findings into practical retention suggestions for the Director of HR.
• Help sustain a fair, respectful, and psychologically safe workplace across all teams and shifts.

Workplace Investigations

• Lead impartial investigations involving harassment, discrimination, misconduct, policy breaches, and interpersonal disputes.
• Create investigation plans, collect and preserve evidence, interview complainants, respondents, and witnesses, and maintain detailed records throughout the process.
• Prepare objective written findings and recommended next steps, then share conclusions with the Director of HR and relevant leadership.
• Ensure investigations follow federal and Ohio employment law, DCC rules, and internal investigation procedures.
• Work with legal counsel when issues may create legal exposure or need escalation.
• Track corrective actions after investigations and watch for patterns that may require policy updates or training changes.

HR Compliance and Recordkeeping

• Maintain accurate and confidential personnel files, including DCC credential records, training certificates, and disciplinary documentation.
• Keep HR policies, job descriptions, offer letters, and employment agreements aligned with Ohio cannabis regulations and applicable federal and state laws such as FLSA, ADA, FMLA, EEO, and OSHA.
• Track DCC license renewal timelines and communicate them to employees and supervisors proactively.
• Help develop, revise, and distribute HR policies, employee handbooks, and SOPs alongside the Director of HR.
• Support regulatory inspections and internal audits by providing organized and accurate HR records when requested.

Benefits and Payroll Support

• Administer benefits enrollment, changes, and terminations, and respond to employee questions about health, dental, vision, and other ancillary benefits.
• Partner with payroll to help ensure accurate timekeeping, pay changes, and employment status updates.
• Manage leave administration, including FMLA, Ohio-required leave, and company leave-of-absence policies.

Training and Development

• Coordinate required compliance training such as DCC regulatory updates, anti-harassment, workplace safety, and investigation-awareness sessions.
• Keep training completion records current across departments and flag gaps to department leadership and the Director of HR.
• Support managers with HR best practices, coaching frameworks, and professional development resources to strengthen team capability.

Requirements

This role requires someone who can operate in a regulated environment, handle sensitive matters carefully, and maintain strong documentation and communication standards.

Preferred Qualifications

Additional credentials and experience are valued, especially exposure to regulated industries and workplace investigation training.

Physical Requirements

The role is mostly desk-based, but it also involves regular movement through cultivation, production, and retail areas. Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds may be needed, and the schedule may include evenings or weekends during busy periods or when investigations are time-sensitive.

Work Environment

This position is based in an office inside a DCC-licensed cannabis cultivation and processing facility. The HR Generalist works closely with cultivation, production, packaging, retail, and security teams. Hygiene, safety, and compliance procedures must be followed at all times. Entry into production areas may involve exposure to cannabis plant material and related allergens, and personal protective equipment is provided and required.

Additional Notes

Employees must be 21 years of age or older. Candidates must be able to pass all required background checks and secure an Ohio DCC cannabis employee credential.