Senior Human Resources Specialist

About The Opportunity:

Catskill Animal Sanctuary (CAS) is looking for a seasoned HR specialist who wants to use their talents and passion to help farmed animals and foster plant-based living. The ideal candidate wants to be part of a team of like-minded people who recognize the power of farm sanctuaries and who understand that in the ways that matter most, animals and humans are the same. A dedicated HR Specialist will be a vital part of enabling us to successfully execute our mission and to foster a joyful environment for our team. Two days a month on site are required.

About Catskill Animal Sanctuary:

Located 2 hours north of Manhattan in Saugerties, NY, CAS is proud to be one of the world’s leading teaching sanctuaries. We are a close-knit team of 25 staff and many volunteers on 150 acres, with 10 species and 250 animals: horses, pigs, donkeys, cows, sheep, chickens, turkeys, goats, ducks and geese. Our motto, Love Spoken Here, defines all that we do, including how we engage with each other and with the thousands of non-vegan visitors who come through our gate to participate in our signature humane education programs.

The Team and Your Role:

As the sole HR Specialist, you’ll play a crucial function — talent acquisition and retention! You will bring your creativity and expertise to the full cycle of recruitment. Reporting to the Executive Director, you will influence policies, programs, and procedures to improve the effectiveness of HR and Operations and to support and enrich staff at all levels of the organization. The 20-hour work week is flexible in terms of which days you work, but a minimum of two days per month on-site is required.

What You’ll Do:

• Implement 360-degree performance reviews and monitor performance management processes.
• Manage and perform the talent acquisition and recruitment process by collaborating with managers to create solid hiring criteria, establishing a successful hiring pipeline, building pools of promising applicants, writing compelling job descriptions, screening and evaluating qualified candidates, responding to inquiries, scheduling and conducting interviews, keeping managers abreast of developments, participating in hiring decisions, creating and overseeing a robust onboarding process, and conducting exit surveys.
• Maintain personnel records in an accurate, thorough, and timely manner.
• Create space and time for practices that strengthen the organization, its processes, programs and its most important asset, the staff. Maintain and coordinate employee recognition programs and instill an enthusiasm for celebrating wins.
• Identify training, development, team building, and culture needs and solutions; work with leadership to implement (includes trainings mandated by New York State).
• Research HR best practices, approaches, and tools. (This includes broad topics like hiring, retention, policies, talent management, employee relations, benefits and specific topics such as places to post jobs that attract top candidates, free or affordable virtual or in-person workshops for strengthening social media skills, latest trends in online fundraising, or management 101 for new managers.)
• Answer employee questions and/or concerns regarding policies, procedures, or employee handbook interpretations.
• Assist with creating, implementing, and communicating policies and practices ensuring compliance with employment laws, regulations and Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI).
• Handle employment-related issues and communicate with Leadership and Board of Directors as appropriate, including escalating issues when necessary.
• Assist managers as needed with performance reviews, coaching, counseling, and terminations.

Who You Are:

• Excellent organizational, programmatic and process management skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and to handle multiple priorities effectively
• Possess high emotional intelligence, perceptive of others, and can act as a respected connector
• Ability to generate accurate and timely reports to support business needs
• Ability to keep high standard regarding confidentiality and trustworthiness
• Solid (minimum 5 years) HR Generalist background
• Vegan or committed to adopting a vegan/plant-based diet
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and Google Drive
• Positive with upbeat, can-do attitude
• Passion for people and developing authentic, meaningful connections
• Experience managing justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) efforts
• Expertise in employment law and HR best practices
• Creative, curious problem solver with a penchant towards thoughtful action and results
• Solid track record and proven success in effective full-life cycle recruiting and retention
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Good at conducting meetings/training at organization and team level (meeting management)
• Collaborative team player able to drive initiatives independently

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.

Compensation:

Pay: $30,000 for 20-hour week

Benefits:

• Employee merchandise discount
• The opportunity to work with a great team committed to making the world a better place
• Paid Family Leave
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k) option
• Employee Assistance Program

Application Instructions:

Resume and cover letter indicating your interest in and alignment with the position should be submitted to [email protected] and [email protected]. An initial video interview with the Executive Director and HR consultant will be followed by a second interview with leadership. Current and former professional references from your direct supervisor will be asked of all finalists for the position.

CAS is committed to developing and maintaining a work environment where diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are integrated into all that we do for the benefit of our employees and the community that we serve.