HR Specialist

Company Background

Alta Forest Products, in partnership with Itochu Building Products, is the world's largest producer of wood fence boards, specializing in Western Red Cedar and other premium species found in the Pacific and Inland Northwest forests. In addition to producing fence boards and pallet stock lumber, Alta's zero-wood-waste sawmills produce by-products such as wood chips, sawdust, mulch, and biofuel.

Headquartered in the centrally located city of Chehalis, Washington, Alta operates in multiple rural communities across the Northwest, including Morton, WA; Winlock, WA; Shelton, WA; Amanda Park, WA; Lewiston, ID; Bonners Ferry, ID; and Naples, ID.

The Role

We're excited to welcome a new member to our HR team! In this role, you'll be right at the heart of our mill's operations, helping us support our employees and fostering a positive workplace culture. Your day-to-day tasks will involve everything from recruiting new team members and guiding them through onboarding to assisting with performance management and handling employee and union relations. Working closely with our local Mill Leadership and the Corporate Office, you’ll play a vital part in rolling out HR initiatives that really make a difference.

We’re looking for someone who is organized and personable—someone who truly enjoys helping others. Your attention to detail and time management skills will be key in ensuring things run smoothly. It’s important that you feel comfortable interacting with employees at all levels and can build strong relationships. Confidentiality and discretion are essential, as well as strong communication skills—both written and verbal. A positive attitude will go a long way in our fast-paced environment, and we believe it will help make our team even stronger. You'll report directly to the Corporate HR Manager and collaborate closely with the local Mill Manager. We can’t wait to meet you!

Responsibilities

• Support recruitment efforts by managing candidate communication, coordinating interviews, and administering the applicant tracking system (ATS). Facilitate and oversee pre-employment activities, including offer letters, onboarding, and drug screens.
• Manage the administrative aspects of the internal hourly bid job process.
• Assist with new hire orientation to ensure a smooth onboarding experience.
• Serve as a point of contact for employees, addressing their concerns and questions as they arise.
• Conduct research for HR-related projects and initiatives in support of team and mill objectives.
• Assists in the coordination and management of leave of absence programs, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
• Maintains accurate and complete paper and electronic records while performing audits as needed.
• Stay up-to-date on HR trends and best practices.
• Assist with planning and coordinating company-wide activities that encourage and build a strong team environment.
• Administer company policies and programs to ensure compliance.
• Assist employees with HR, benefit, and payroll-related inquiries or requests and act as liaison with various internal and external resources as needed.
• Collaborate with the Safety Team as needed to support case management for workers' compensation claims and other training and development opportunities.
• Prepare reports and presentations for internal communication.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School education required, Secondary education in a related field or equivalent practical experience preferred.
• 2+ years of previous work experience in HR is required, with an understanding of employment laws and regulations
• Experience working in a unionized environment is a plus
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
• Exceptional ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven capability to produce accurate and high-quality work, particularly in handling sensitive employee information and documentation.
• Strong interpersonal abilities to build positive relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to convey information clearly and professionally.
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with integrity and sensitivity.
• Familiarity with HRIS (Human Resource Information Systems) and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) preferred; proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is essential.
• Willingness to learn and grow within the HR field, with the ability to adjust to changing priorities and new challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently when needed.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee typically works in an interior office environment; however, they may occasionally be exposed to work near moving mechanical parts and in dirty industrial environments. Noise levels may vary depending on the current work area. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 30+ pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb, or balance, as well as stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Position Type/Travel/Schedule

This is a full-time position (40 Hours), and overtime work may be required as projects or job duties demand. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday.

Benefits & Pay

• Pay: $24.00 - $30.50 per year(starting wage dependent on qualifications and experience)
• Semi-Annual Bonus Program
• Flexible Work Schedule
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous Medical / Dental / Vision Insurance Plans
• Employer-paid Employee and Family Life Insurance
• Paid time off, Vacation, Holiday, Sick Leave
• Employee Referral Program
• 401k Retirement with/ 4.5% company match
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance Options, Additional Life, Pet, Illness, and Accident Insurance

Alta Forest Products is an equal opportunity employer. It considers all applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, gender, disability, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Small company, big opportunity! Growing & investing in employees and mills, Alta aims to be an industry leader in product quality and employee experience.