Human Resources Manager/Generalist

Company Overview

O'Donal's Nursery is a 12-acre Plant Nursery who serves wholesale and retail customers. We are an employee-owned cooperative where your voice truly matters! As part of our cooperative, you'll enjoy a unique work environment where collaboration and shared success are at the heart of everything we do. Being an employee-partner means you have a direct stake in the company's growth and profitability, fostering a sense of pride and ownership in your work. You'll benefit from a supportive community, opportunities for professional development, and a say in important decisions. Experience the advantages of working in a cooperative where your contributions are valued and your career can flourish!

Overview
The Human Resources Generalist serves as the primary HR resource for the cooperative, supporting all aspects of the employee lifecycle. This role is responsible for administering payroll, benefits, recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, compliance, and HR policies, while supporting positive, inclusive, and a value driven employee experience aligned with the cooperative’s mission.

As the sole HR professional, this position requires a hands-on, service-oriented approach, strong judgment, and the ability to balance day-to-day HR administration with longer-term people practices that support seasonal operations, retail staffing, and cooperative ownership.

REPORTS TO WORKS CLOSELY WITH

General Manager/CEO Managers, All Employees

CORE CAPABILITIES

Ø Positive Leadership, Team Player

Ø Strong organizational skills

Ø Excellent interpersonal/communication skills

Ø Attention to detail and accuracy

Ø Responsible and Dependable

Ø Ethical and Integrity

Duties

Employee relations & HR support

o Serve as the primary point of contact for employees regarding HR policies, benefits, payroll, leave, and workplace concerns

o Provide guidance to supervisors and managers on employee relations, performance management, and corrective action

o Support workplace investigations and documentation, escalating to external resources as appropriate

o Promote a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative workplace cultur

Recruitment, hiring & onboarding

o Coordinate recruitment and hiring for year-round, seasonal, nursery, landscape, and retail positions

o Post job openings, screen candidates, coordinate interviews, and support hiring decisions

o Manage new hire onboarding, orientation, and required documentation

o Ensure compliance with I-9s, background checks, and employment eligibility requirements

Payroll, Timekeeping & Benefit administration

o Process payroll accurately and on time, including seasonal and variable-hour employees

o Administer timekeeping systems, PTO tracking, and leave balances

o Manage employee benefits programs, including enrollments, changes, and terminations

o Serve as a liaison with payroll providers, benefits vendors, and external advisors Compliance & policy administration

o Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations

o Maintain and update employee handbooks, policies, and procedures

o Support workers’ compensation, unemployment claims, and leave administration

o Maintain accurate and confidential personnel records

Skills

· Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred

· 3–5 years of progressive HR experience in a generalist or stand-alone HR role

· Experience supporting hourly, seasonal, or retail workforces strongly preferred

· Payroll and benefits administration experience required

· Experience in cooperative, or employee-owned organizations a plus

· Strong working knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices

· Ability to manage payroll, benefits, and HR administration independently

· Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion

· Comfortable working in a hands-on, operational environment

· Ability to balance competing priorities and seasonal demands

· Proficiency with HRIS, payroll systems, and Microsoft Office

* All O’Donal’s associates are not limited to the specific Job duties of above-mentioned Job description, associates are also expected to Perform other appropriate duties as assigned by management in a team environment setting*

Pay: $30.00 - $35.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Gorham, ME 04038