Job Description

HR Generalist

Department: Finance and People Resources

Status: Exempt, Full-Time

Location: Seattle, WA.

Pay Rate: $87,714-$94,212 annually 

**Initial review of applications will begin August 1st, 2025. Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient and viable number of qualified candidates have been identified.**

ABOUT FARESTART

FareStart has been helping people transform their lives through food for 30 years — one person, one job and one community at a time.

People experiencing poverty struggle to escape the cycle they are in and often face other compounding barriers to getting and keeping a job. At FareStart, we help people overcome barriers by teaching work and life skills needed to succeed in employment and in life. By investing in people, providing meals and building community, we transform homelessness, hunger and poverty into human potential.

OUR VISION

Every individual has the opportunity to thrive in an equitable and just world.

OUR MISSION

FareStart transforms lives, disrupts poverty and nourishes communities through food, life skills and job training.

OUR VALUES

• Acceptance: We build relationships based on the belief that the past informs but does not dictate the future.
• Respect: We treat everyone with dignity, regardless of background or differences. We actively listen and seek first to understand. We are honest, even when it is difficult.
• Openness: We create a culture of trust through transparency and open communication. We are open to new ideas.
• Collaboration: Contribute positively to strengthen the organization and our impact through teamwork and through partnerships.
• Accountability: We are responsible to each other, to our community and ourselves. We are committed to rigorous evaluation and making fiscally responsible decisions that align with our mission.
• Inclusion: We provide a community of belonging, regardless of background. We value and seek out diversity.
• Growth: We are a learning organization. We invest in continuous improvement and growth.

ABOUT THE POSITION

This position serves as a key member of the People & Culture team at FareStart. This position will perform a variety of human resource related responsibilities in some or all of the following areas: employee relations, recruiting/hiring, employment laws, and employee engagement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities  include the following:

• Engage as a member of the People & Culture team, providing support for all Human Resources and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts at the organization.
• Respond promptly to human resource issues such as employee inquiries, complaints, harassment, allegations, or discrimination concerns. Perform internal investigations as appropriate for complaints or concerns that are brought forth.
• Review, track, and document compliance with mandatory training including but not limited to safety training and anti-harassment training.
• Coach and counsel People Managers and employees on human resource policies and procedures, employment laws and government regulations.
• Prepare written materials or presentations for employees. 
• Support the organization’s talent acquisition process by aiding Hiring Managers with search, screening, and onboarding new employees. 
• Coordinate annual employee performance and talent management, productivity, and recognition. Support People Managers in annual performance appraisal process, employee introductory performance appraisals, annual employee goal development, and employee recognition.
• Maintain knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risks, and ensuring compliance.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations and recommend best practices. Review policies and practices to maintain compliance.
• Lead and manage as required a variety of projects and initiatives for the department.
• Maintain department records. Always handle confidential and sensitive information in a professional manner. 
• Maintain knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and recent technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law.
• Support and assist with employee leave and accommodations. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At FareStart, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, and six (6) or more years of human resources experience and supervisory experience; and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in human resources in a non-profit setting a plus but not required.
• Four (4) or more years of experience in employee relations.
• Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn the organization’s HRIS (Human Resources Information System) and other HR systems.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team, within diverse teams and environments .
• Demonstrated computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Ability to work with customized databases and technology and to conduct internet research.
• Ability to communicate effectively and comfortably with audiences of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability to display sensitivity, tact, and responsiveness in various situations and maintain an elevated level of confidentiality. Able to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to identify and suggest changes that promote positive impacts with a lens for diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to listen, give and receive feedback in a productive and professional manner. Able to translate vision into planning and implementation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to adapt communication based on audience and purpose with inclusivity. Ability to disseminate information effectively to appropriate levels.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks and requests and meet deadlines professionally. Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment with excellent communication skills.
• Ability to evaluate problems and effectively solve them in a timely manner. Ability to respond to concerns with empathy and inclusivity. Respond appropriately to conflict.
• Ability to delegate responsibilities, work with others, and coach employees to develop their full potential.
• Ability to provide helpful, behaviorally specific feedback to others and engage in open and honest communication. Meet regularly with employees to review their development progress and express confidence in their abilities to be successful.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• This position is exposed to a typical office environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• There may be a combination of remote work and onsite work dependent upon business needs.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• This position may occasionally be required to lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, or crouch.

BENEFIT HIGHLIGHTS

• Competitive pay based on experience and qualifications
• Paid time-off (5 weeks first year of employment)
• Paid holidays, including up 2 floating holidays
• 401(k) savings plan with company match
• Medical (including vision), Dental, Disability, and Life Insurance
• Employee discounts at FareStart retail social enterprises
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free ORCA pass

Why Should You Apply?

• Be part of our mission to disrupt poverty.
• Join a supportive, respectful, and celebratory community among our staff, students, board, and volunteers.
• Organizational commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
• FareStart encourages the personal and professional growth of its employees.

For information on FareStart, including more information on employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website at:

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity

FareStart is committed to becoming a fully inclusive, antiracist, diverse organization. To fulfill our mission, vision, and values we are seeking candidates who demonstrate shared values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism.

Our Commitment to Anti-Racism

FareStart defines antiracism as the clear acknowledgment that racism permeates organizations, communities, and industries, including our own. We recognize that we have a duty to be vigilant in addressing and confronting racism in how we make decisions, show up in our communities, build business practices and policies, and engage in intentional partnerships and philanthropic endeavors to fulfill our mission and vision.

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