Description

Who We Are

Friends of the Earth is a hard-hitting, progressive, environmental organization that pulls no punches and speaks sometimes uncomfortable truths to power. It’s an approach that has worked for over five decades to produce important victories that help protect our planet and its people. We’re part of Friends of the Earth International, a federation of groups working in more than 70 countries on today’s most urgent environmental and social issues.

To accomplish our mission, Friends of the Earth is working at the nexus of environmental protection, economic policy and social justice to fundamentally transform the way our country and the world value people and the environment. 

Position Summary

The Senior HR Generalist (Compensation, Benefits & Compliance) oversees and administers essential HR functions to ensure consistency, compliance, and operational effectiveness across people-related processes. This role serves as a trusted advisor to employees and managers and plays a key role in designing, implementing, and maintaining HR policies, programs, and initiatives. In collaboration with internal partners, the Senior HR Generalist helps mitigate risk, promotes equitable and compliant people practices, and helps maintain a positive, well-supported workplace.

The annual salary range for this full-time remote position is $86,000-$93,000. Offers are determined based on the relevant skills and experience required for the position.

Essential Functions

Benefits Administration 30%

• Administer employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, and leave plans.
• Lead the annual benefits enrollment process
• Verify accurate benefit deductions and timely processing of updates.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee questions related to benefits, leave, and eligibility.
• Maintain benefits data and documentation in the HRIS system and ensure compliance with applicable regulations (e.g., COBRA, ACA, ERISA).
• Collaborate with vendors to resolve benefit-related issues to support a positive employee experience.

Retirement Plan Management 10%

• Administer and oversee the organization’s retirement plan, including participant transactions, plan changes, and compliance activities.
• Function as the primary liaison with the retirement plan broker, helping ensure effective service delivery, annual testing, and rollover processing.
• Lead communication to staff on plan updates, enrollment, and retirement planning resources.

Compensation Management 25%

• Support the annual compensation review cycle by helping ensure data integrity, documentation accuracy, and timely implementation of approved updates.
• Conduct salary benchmarking and job evaluations to maintain internal equity and market competitiveness under the direction of the HR leadership.
• Partner with HR leadership in implementing compensation practices that comply with organizational and compliance requirements.
• Partner with managers to process approved salary and incentive adjustments changes in accordance with established approval protocols.
• Develops and recommends salary ranges for new and promotional positions, ensuring alignment with compensation frameworks and equity principles.
• Oversees payroll inputs and works with accounting to ensure accurate payroll processing.

Compliance & Reporting 10%

• Manage workers’ compensation plan administration, including documentation, reporting and renewal, follow-up with employees, managers, and insurance brokers.
• Assist with worker classification processes including interns, fellows, part-time, full-time and temporary employees, contractors and vendors, in compliance
• with HR policies, labor, and tax regulations.
• Maintain accurate and compliant HR administration by reviewing organizational contracts with foreign and domestic individuals and entities that require HR approval.
• Help ensure adherence to federal, state, and local labor laws.
• Maintain HR documentation and required postings, support audit processes, and contribute to risk mitigation efforts.

HR Administration & Projects 25%

• Provide responsive and confidential HR operations support including co-managing the HR inbox and ensuring timely follow-up on employee inquiries.
• Contribute to the development and rollout of HR programs, related to benefits administration, compensation practices, and compliance initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational policies, legal requirements, and operational needs.
• Collaborate with HR leadership to streamline processes and enhance people operations processes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience, including direct experience in employee benefits administration, compensation processes, and compliance-related activities.
• Strong understanding of federal, state, and local employment laws and HR compliance requirements.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving, and judgement skills, with the ability to navigate complex or sensitive situations.
• Ability to balance people’s needs with process and system requirements.
• Strong attention to detail, effective communication skills, and the ability to collaborate across teams and build strong working relationships.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities in a dynamic environment with shifting or competing deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Experience managing HRIS systems and ensuring data integrity and accurate record management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with modern HR tools and systems, including experience with BambooHR or similar HRIS platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills
• Learning-oriented mindset with creativity in approaching challenges

Perks and Benefits:

We’re proud to be a generous, people-first employer that invests in your growth and well-being. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to help you thrive both personally and professionally:

• 37.5-hour work week to support work-life balance
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage (80% for eligible dependents)
• Disability and life insurance for added security
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Generous paid time off, including: 25 vacation days to start
• 15 paid holidays
• 20 sick days
• 3 floating holidays
• Summer Fridays (the last two Fridays in July and all Fridays in August)
• Winter break (office closed between Christmas and New Year’s)
• Parental leave, sabbatical options, and more
• Professional development and IT stipend
• Education reimbursement and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Friends of the Earth is an equal opportunity employer who encourages applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of its staff. In compliance with federal law, all people hired will be required to verify identity and complete eligibility verification upon hire.