HR Associate

AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST•Washington, DC

6d•$60,000 - $65,000•Remote

About The Position

The Human Resources Associate provides administrative and operational support to ensure smooth HR operations across all locations, including maintaining records, coordinating programs, supporting recruitment and onboarding, and serving as a contact for employees, management, and external partners. As an integral member of the AFT Human Resources team, the Human Resource Associate provides administrative and operational support to the HR team, ensuring smooth execution of HR processes. This role assists with recruitment, onboarding, record management, training compliance, and program coordination, while serving as a contact for employees, management, and external partners and supporting the smooth functioning of HR operations.

Requirements

Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
Basic understanding of HR principles, practices, and procedures.
Proficiency in HRIS systems (Paycom or similar) and Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
High level of discretion and professionalism in handling confidential information.
Associate’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
Minimum of one year of HR or administrative experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of HR trends, best practices, employment law, regulatory changes, and emerging HR technologies to support operational HR functions.
Conduct periodic audits of HR files, benefit plans, and HR programs, recommending corrective actions to ensure compliance, completeness, and accuracy of documentation.
Maintain the integrity, accuracy, and confidentiality of all HR records, files, and HRIS entries.
Organize, file, and manage employee documents, records, and HRIS data in accordance with company policy and regulatory requirements.
Manage the HR email inbox, prepare professional correspondence, and serve as a point of contact for routine inquiries from employees, applicants, and managers.
Act as a liaison with external partners, vendors, brokers, and benefit providers, including health, disability, retirement, and federal/state/local agencies.
Handle day-to-day administrative tasks, including processing incoming mail, scanning and distributing documents, photocopying, and general clerical functions.
Schedule and attend internal and external HR-related meetings as requested by the HR team.
Assist with recruitment processes for all positions, including posting job ads, managing job requisitions, screening applicants, and maintaining accurate candidate records.
Coordinate and schedule interviews for candidates, including senior-level roles, and assist hiring managers with candidate evaluation and communications.
Maintain organized records of recruitment materials, including applications, interview notes, and related documentation, for HR leadership review.
Respond to routine applicant, employee, and manager inquiries regarding HR policies, hiring processes, and benefits, escalating complex or sensitive matters to senior HR staff.
Facilitate onboarding and orientation programs to ensure a smooth and positive integration of new hires, including coordination of training, system access, and workplace setup.
Support special recruitment initiatives such as job fairs, sourcing campaigns, and employer branding efforts as directed by HR leadership.
Organize, schedule, and track employee training and development initiatives, ensuring compliance with mandatory federal, state, and local requirements.
Maintain accurate training records and documentation to support HR reporting, audits, and compliance requirements.
Assist with LMS (Learning Management System) administration, including course enrollment, tracking completions, and reporting on training progress.
Provide administrative support to the HR team to enhance operational efficiency and employee experience.
Assist HR leadership with ad hoc HR projects, initiatives, and internal communications.
Support HR analytics and reporting by collecting data and preparing operational summaries as requested.
Promote a positive workplace culture through professionalism, discretion, and collaboration.
Perform other HR-related duties as assigned to support smooth operations and organizational objectives.

Benefits

Medical & Prescription Coverage
Dental Coverage
Vision Coverage
Company Paid Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability (LTD)
Voluntary Life Insurance
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – Healthcare & Dependent Care
Health Savings Account (HSA)
401k Plan
Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees accrue 13 “sick days” per year.
Vacation Leave: Accrue 15 days during the first year increasing by one day per year to 20 days per year maximum.
Holidays: AFT observes twelve fixed holidays and a week between Christmas and New Years off during the year (all offices closed) plus a choice of up to three (depending on hiring month) floating holidays.
Remote work opportunities
Flexible scheduling