Maritime HR Generalist

Are you a Human Resources professional with a maritime background? We are looking for an HR Generalist with maritime industry experience to support essential HR functions including employee relations, recruiting, compliance, onboarding, benefits administration, and payroll support. This is a great opportunity to join a reputable, century-old company where you can grow your expertise and make a meaningful impact.

The Company:

Biehl & Co. is a trusted maritime services and ship agency company with over a century of experience supporting shipowners & operators, charters, and cargo interests. The company provides comprehensive port and vessel services, including ship agency, logistics coordination, and operational support, delivering reliable and professional solutions across major U.S. Gulf and East Coast ports.

Location of Position:

Houston, TX

The Position:

The HR Generalist supports key HR functions, including employee onboarding, benefits administration, staffing changes, and payroll support. This role serves as a primary point of contact for employees and leadership on HR-related matters, ensures compliance with legal requirements, leads recruiting initiatives, and supports general administrative tasks to maintain smooth HR operations.

Position Responsibilities:

• Recruit licensed mariners through sourcing, screening, and interviewing, and manage their onboarding process, including credential verification and coordination of pre-employment requirements in compliance with maritime regulations.
• Oversee Jones Act claims, including managing documentation, tracking claims, and serving as a liaison between employees, insurance carriers, and legal counsel to ensure timely and accurate handling.
• Create, maintain, and preserve sensitive and confidential information, including employee records ensuring completion and accuracy of details.
• Manage employee onboarding, including initiating offer letters, background checks, physicals, drug screenings, credit checks, payroll onboarding documents, and benefits enrollment.
• Coordinate creation and termination of system access with the internal access management team.
• Maintain accurate records and perform administrative tasks related to staffing changes, including promotions, demotions, resignations, terminations, and leaves of absence.
• Support employee benefits administration by collecting and submitting information and status changes to insurance carriers or brokers.
• Post, close, and refresh job openings as needed across recruiting platforms.
• Provide payroll support as needed, including reviewing timesheets, processing payroll, and responding to employee payroll questions.
• Conducts audits and reporting to ensure compliance.
• Provide support with 401(k) administration as needed.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of employment laws and legal requirements.
• Respond to state unemployment inquiries and complete necessary documentation.
• Coordinate and participate in approved industry-related recruiting events.
• Support employees with various HR related inquiries and questions.
• Conduct employment verifications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Associate's degree or equivalent experience required.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 5-7 years of Human Resources experience in the maritime industry is required.
• Previous experience handling Jones Act claims and recruiting licensed mariners is required.
• Must be comfortable serving as a backup to payroll, with prior experience in payroll processes strongly preferred.
• Prior payroll system transition experience a plus.
• Knowledge of benefits administration, specifically self-funded plans, is a plus.

Desired Skills and Competencies:

• Strong organization and problem-solving skills
• Professional demeanor
• Flexible, adaptable, and self-motivated

Interested?

• Apply today and let us know why you would be a great fit for our Maritime HR Generalist position!

Biehl & Co is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetics, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected status established by federal, state, or local laws.