HR Specialist, Staff Engagement (People & Culture Engagement Specialist)

ABOUT RAN

For more than 30 years, Rainforest Action Network (RAN) has campaigned to preserve forests, protect the climate and uphold human rights by challenging corporate power and systemic injustice through research, education, partnerships, non-violent direct action, grassroots organizing, strategic campaigns and communications. We are committed to working with Indigenous communities and frontline communities directly impacted by profit-driven systems of injustice. In partnership with allies from around the world, RAN challenges corporations to stop destructive operations, respect human rights, and adopt comprehensive policies that reduce their contributions to climate change. RAN is committed to doing what is necessary, not only what is considered politically feasible.

RACIAL JUSTICE, DIVERSITY AND EQUITY

RAN strives to integrate values of equity and fairness into our work, which includes bringing an intentional racial justice and cultural equity analysis to our programmatic work and organizational structure. We strive to create an internal culture built on mutual trust, collaboration, and respect where all staff feel supported, valued, and heard.

RAN values diversity in race, class, gender, culture, and religion, and implements programs internally to ensure that staff, board, and activists understand and adopt anti-oppression principles. For more information about RAN’s history, culture, and philosophy, please visit RAN’s website.

THE POSITION

We are seeking a collaborative individual to join our three-person team as an HR specialist focused on People and Culture. This position will build relationships across RAN in order to champion our people-centric culture, and will design, plan, and execute HR strategies to enhance staff engagement, development, and well-being. This is a new position reporting to the P&C Director and working in collaboration with the P&C Operations Specialist.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Staff Experience

• Staff Development, Training, and Performance:
  • Provide direct support, coaching, and thought partnership for staff in various aspects of HR.
  • Promote and support a culture of open and constructive feedback, staff consultation, learning, and accountability.
  • Partner with the P&C Ops Specialist on performance evaluations.
  • Develop and support professional growth pathways for staff, in conjunction with managers.
  • Develop and deliver trainings that enhance staff experience and promote RAN’s values.
  • Support RAN’s staff and managers through disciplinary processes, where relevant.
• Onboarding: Acclimate new hires to RAN’s culture and expectations
  • Refresh and redesign current onboarding practices.
  • Deliver robust onboarding for all new hires.
• Hiring: Support recruitment for all open roles to achieve fair and consistent hiring
  • Lead or participate in hiring processes as relevant.
  • Support hiring managers in developing job descriptions.

Organizational Culture and Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

• Contribute to the ongoing development and implementation of strategic P&C programs that champion RAN’s values and a supportive, inclusive, and equitable working environment for all staff.
• Foster collaboration, communication, and engagement through daily interactions.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to contribute to initiatives that support RAN’s commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) principles.
• Partner with the P&C Ops Specialist to deliver regular HR communications to staff that enhance staff experience.
• Participate in cross-functional work such as the Racial Justice Advisory Group, FUN Committee, Retreat Planning Committees, etc.

HR Service, Operations, and Compliance

• Provide efficient, professional, timely, and compassionate HR support on a wide variety of topics.
• Support legal compliance in all staff matters, including international staff jurisdictions.
  • Maintain knowledge of HR industry trends and policy updates relevant to the nonprofit sector.
  • Work to ensure compliance with state and federal employment laws and regulations, appropriate record keeping, and benefits administration.
• Collaborate with the P&C Ops Specialist to ensure that HR systems meet the organization’s personnel needs; partner to research and implement new systems
  as needed.
• Work with the P&C Director on special projects, such as biannual staff salary benchmarking, benefits open enrollment, PEO evaluation, etc.
• Work collaboratively to interpret and uphold union-related contracts.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of 3 years of total experience in Human Resources or a related role, at least 2 of which have been in an HR role involving extensive staff engagement, is required. Examples of past experience will include organizational culture work, staff training, coaching and facilitation, recruitment and onboarding, HR compliance, and general compensation and benefits work.
• Demonstrated experience in promoting positive staff relations and organizational culture.
• Proven ability to build trust and goodwill with staff and senior management.
• Experience facilitating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences with a strong commitment to creating a workplace culture grounded in the values of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Strong communication skills that convey clarity, directness, and comfort with individual and group mediation, facilitating conversations, giving and receiving feedback, and being open to generative conflict.
• A keen awareness and ability to consult with staff and adapt practices and processes to address the varied needs and concerns of individuals with diverse backgrounds and cultures, working remotely, both domestically and internationally.
• Experience in supporting organizational effectiveness, staff development, and fair and consistent performance management practices.
• Strong ability to prioritize, manage projects, and work autonomously as well as on a team.
• Experience working in a unionized environment is a plus, but not required.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time position with an anticipated starting salary range of $70,000 to $80,000 commensurate with experience. RAN has staff distributed across the US,
Europe, and Asia Pacific so applicants should be prepared to work flexible hours, including at least 4 hours of overlap with the Pacific time zone for most working days.

Benefits include 100% RAN-paid health, dental and vision insurance for the staff person and their partner/family, four weeks PTO (increases to five weeks after two years) as well as paid sick leave, a paid winter break, and a retirement plan with a 3% employer match. Additionally, after every five years of service, staff are eligible for a 12-week fully-paid sabbatical.

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS

RAN is a union workplace; our staff are represented by RAN Alliance for Workers’ Rights (RAWR) via CWA 9415. This position is excluded from the unit.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND ACCESS

RAN is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing all people with equal access to employment and volunteer opportunities. If you need assistance with accommodations during our interview or employment processes, please contact HR@ran.org. We encourage applicants of color, diverse identities, and from historically excluded identities to apply for this position.

TO APPLY