People & HR Generalist

The Climate Reality Project is a nonprofit organization founded by former US Vice President Al Gore. Our mission is to catalyze a global solution to the climate crisis by making urgent action a necessity across every sector of society.  

At The Climate Reality Project, we come to work every day to help solve the climate crisis. We do it by working from the ground up, empowering people and communities worldwide to fight for their future and together drive a just transition to clean energy.

We are committed to building a more just and equitable world, one where all voices are heard and respected regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or physical ability. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other historically marginalized communities. We encourage applicants to read our diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice statement on our website.

Position Summary

The People and Human Resource Generalist will run the daily functions of the People department including helping to hire and interview staff, administering pay, benefits, and leave, and enforcing Climate Reality’s policies and practices. This person will be a key partner to in the People Department Team implementing People Department systems and processes, while working to ensure diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in everything we do.

Currently reporting to the People Department Senior Manager, the People & Human Resource Generalist has no direct reports.  

This position is within a union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific terms and conditions of employment will be subject to a collective bargaining agreement between Climate Reality and the union.

This is a full time, exempt, benefits-eligible, hybrid position, currently expected to work from The Climate Reality Project office in downtown Washington DC at least two days per week. The salary for the role is $73,000 USD per year.

Duties and Responsibilities

General Work closely with the Senior Manager to recruit, screen and/or interview, and help hire qualified job applicants for open positions; collaborate with departmental managers where needed.

• Implement new hire orientation in Paylocity.
• Perform routine tasks required to administer and execute human resource programs, including, benefits, and leave, performance, and talent management.
• Handle employment-related inquiries from applicants, employees, and supervisors, refer complex and/or sensitive matters to the appropriate staff.
• Process payroll as required.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommended best practices; reviews policies and practices to maintain compliance.
• Maintain knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law.
• Conduct reference checks.
• Support and contribute to the ongoing improvement of our operations and enrichment of our culture, for example by serving on ad hoc or ongoing work groups, assisting with the onboarding and training of colleagues, and participating in efforts to assess, refine, and strengthen our culture and practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, analytical skills, and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn the organization’s HRIS and talent management systems.
• Experience with Paylocity is a plus.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer required.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree—or equivalent experience.
• Has between 2-4 years of experience.
• Experience handling confidential material.
• Some knowledge of the United States and international environmental justice movement.

Organizational Competencies

The Climate Reality Project has adopted a competency-based approach to job definition, hiring, performance assessment, and professional development. The following are our seven organization-wide competencies and examples of how they manifest for this role.

1. Teamwork and Collaboration: Builds and sustains productive working relationships with colleagues; actively listens to others and seeks to understand diverse perspectives; follows through on commitments.  
2. Flexibility and Adaptability: Demonstrates the ability to adapt to changing priorities and circumstances; takes initiative to solve problems, improve processes, and/or achieve outcomes; learns quickly when faced with new situations or systems.  
3. Written and Verbal Communication: Written communication is clear and concise; verbal communication is intentional and straightforward; provides timely and helpful information across the organization as needed; gives and receives constructive feedback in a thoughtful manner.  
4. Time and Project Management: Possesses a strong work ethic i.e., a sense of ownership over tasks, commitment to following things through, and a willingness to do what it takes to get the job done; manages multiple competing priorities, tasks, and projects effectively, appropriately seeking help from others when needed.  
5. Professional Development: Shows commitment and acts to continuously improve; connects with advocates, experts, mentors, and resources, and actively seeks new ways to grow and be challenged through internal and external training opportunities; accepts assignments that broaden capabilities.  
6. Climate Justice: Works to understand and achieve anti-racist principles to disrupt the systems of white supremacy, privilege, classism, sexism, and racism; seeks to understand how systemic racism and environmental injustice impact individuals and frontline and fenceline communities; works to promote a welcoming and inclusive environment in Climate Reality spaces (workplace, events, trainings, and other convenings). 
7. Climate Reality Mission and Focus: Is passionate about Climate Reality's role and mission and can act as a Climate Reality ambassador to a diverse set of audiences.          

Role-Specific Competencies

In addition to organization-wide competencies, each role has its own competencies. Below are examples of how each competency manifests in this role.

1.     Policies and Procedures: Recruits, screens, interviews, and/or facilitates the hiring of qualified job applicants for open positions; collaborates with departmental managers to understand skills and competencies required for openings; maintains compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations and recommended best practices.

2.     Technology Skills and Data Systems: Uses technology and software relevant to job duties effectively (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Salesforce, Paylocity, project management tools, etc.); manages internal electronic documents effectively, including for the purposes of compliance, hiring, and retention.           

3.     Interpersonal Skills: Practices positive employee relations, including maintaining a positive morale and a genuine, upbeat work environment; coaches’ employees, supervisors, and managers in effective interpersonal communications and conflict resolution.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Climate Reality, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in this job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

The Climate Reality Project is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or any other category prohibited by local, state or federal law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, compensation, benefits, social and recreational activities and termination.

Please send a cover letter and resume to  hiring@climatereality.com

BENEFITS

Excellent benefits, including employer paid 100% employee medical, life, dental, vision insurance. 401K, Paid Parental Leave, and other benefits such as wellness days, vacation and sick time are all included.

BENEFITS

Excellent benefits, including employer paid 100% employee medical, life, dental, vision insurance. 401K, Paid Parental Leave, and other benefits such as wellness days, vacation and sick time are all included.