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Human Resources Manager

Arboretum Foundation
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JOB DESCRIPTION: HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER

Right now, we are building something extraordinary in Seattle: an exceptional botanic garden organization that brings together the unique strengths of the Arboretum Foundation (AF) and the University of Washington Botanic Gardens (UWBG). We are joining forces to become a destination garden, exemplifying leadership in scientific research, public engagement, and inclusive access. Our vision is to be a home for discovery, a force for sustainability, and a gateway to wonder. In every visit and through every season, we’ll help people of all ages meaningfully connect with the living world of plants and how they shape our lives and our shared future.

In early 2026, the Arboretum Foundation and the UW Botanic Gardens hope to consolidate operations, bringing a staff of 50+ UWBG employees over to sit within the nonprofit structure of the Arboretum Foundation. In anticipation of this organizational change, the Arboretum Foundation is laying the groundwork necessary to build out its infrastructure and operations, including HR, IT and additional finance support. By the end of 2026, our operations will grow to support more than 60 staff working across three locations, with additional seasonal staff supporting educational horticultural programs. 

To support this transformation, the Arboretum Foundation seeks a Human Resources Manager to plan, direct, develop, and coordinate the human resources policies and activities, ensuring legal compliance and implementation of the organization's mission, vision, and values. The Human Resources Manager is an experienced professional who will oversee the administration of programs including but not limited to, compensation, benefits, and leave. They will also handle employee relations including disciplinary matters, disputes, and investigations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Workplace Culture

  • Develop and implement change management strategies to support organizational growth and manage the consolidation of the Arboretum Foundation and UW Botanic Gardens. 
  • Assist leaders with consistently communicating the organization’s culture and directing it towards improved business results. Ensures considerations of diversity, equity, and inclusion and relevant action plans are embedded in every aspect of the business and employee experience.
  • Support inclusion and accessibility work and culture change initiatives that foster healthy workplace dynamics and employee retention while promoting an inclusive and harassment-free environment
  • Serve as a coach and mentor for managers and leaders, offering sound advice and recommendations
  • Cultivate and maintain strong working relationships among staff through transparent communications and responsiveness to inquiries. 

Recruiting and Hiring

  • Ensure recruitment, selection, placement, and training opportunities support the organization’s goal of achieving and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce.
  • Recruit, interview, and facilitate the hiring of qualified job applicants for open positions; collaborate with departmental managers to understand skills and competencies required for openings
  • Assist with creating job descriptions and interview processes for open positions. Track the status of candidates and respond with follow-up letters at the end of the recruiting process.
  • Complete hiring forms, including background checks and I-9 documentation and maintain records
  • Implement new hire orientation and employee recognition programs
  • Assist the Leadership Team in creating comprehensive processes and tools to conduct staff performance evaluations that ensure equity, accountability and alignment with organizational values. 
  • Work with managers and supervisors to coordinate staff development plans.Track of all staff development activities.
  • Attends and participates in employee disciplinary meetings, terminations and investigations.
  • Oversee staff departures, including exit interviews and processing of terminations

Compliance and Training

  • Monitors and ensures the organization's compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations and recommended best practices; review and modify policies and practices to maintain compliance
  • Review, track, and document compliance with mandatory and non-mandatory training, continuing education, and work assessments. This may include safety training, anti-harassment training, and supervisor training
  • Work with managers and supervisors to coordinate staff development opportunities
  • Maintain knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law

Program Management         

  • Develop and implement a new human resources infrastructure to support a transformed organization including compensation strategy and benefits package plan.
  • Administers the administration of human resource programs including, but not limited to, compensation, benefits, and leave; disciplinary matters; disputes and investigations; performance and talent management; employee engagement and retention strategies, productivity, recognition, and morale; occupational health and safety; and training and development.
  • Performs routine tasks required to administer and execute human resource programs including but not limited to annual audits of compensation, benefits, and leave; disciplinary procedures; disputes and investigations; performance and talent management; productivity, recognition, and morale; occupational health and safety; and training and development.
  • Process required documents through payroll and insurance providers to ensure accurate record-keeping and proper deductions. 
  • Maintain employee personnel files.
  • Maintain Employee Handbook and other related employee policies. 

DESIRED SKILLS

  • Working understanding of human resources principles, practices, and procedures
  • Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
  • Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations
  • Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn HRIS and talent management systems
  • Excellent organization skills and attention to detail
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills 
  • Ability to facilitate difficult conversations with kindness, calmness, and firmness, and ability to focus on facts and evidence
  • Excellent cross-cultural communication skills
  • Excellent time management skills and ability to meet deadlines
  • Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field, or a combination of education and professional experience equal to this requirement
  • Five years of experience in Human Resources, showing an increasing level of responsibility up to and including management. 
  • Experiences in cross-cultural conflict resolution demonstrating comfort working through conflicts and differences
  • Professional in Human Resources certification preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Ability to lift up to 15 lbs. 
  • Working in front of a computer or at a desk for long periods


 

Some of the work required of this position will be on site at the Graham Visitor Center.The Graham Visitor Center is a three-story building  without an elevator. The role requires the ability to lift heavy objects (up to 20 lbs) and climb stairs to access office equipment, the kitchen area, and work stations. We understand that these physical requirements may not align  with every individual’s ability and encourage applicants to inform us of any accommodations needed to create a welcoming, safe environment for the employee. We are committed to working with the successful applicant on making necessary accommodations for the role when an offer is presented.  


 

BENEFITS

  • Generous paid vacation, sick time and holidays 
  • Medical, dental, and vision
  • Matching retirement contribution
  • Office located in the heart of a beautiful park!
  • 80+ hours of Paid Vacation (Tenure based)
  • Paid Sick Time (Per Washington State Law)
  • 10+ paid holidays
  • Medical, dental and vision insurance
  • Simple IRA Retirement Plan (Matching up to 3%)
  • Office located in the heart of a beautiful park!

TO APPLY

Please electronically send application materials, including resume and cover letter, to the Arboretum Foundation: jobs@arboretumfoundation.org. Please, no calls or in-person visits without an appointment. Position open until filled, with a priority deadline of December 15. 

Disclaimer:

This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for this position. All Arboretum Foundation employees may be required to perform duties outside of their typical responsibilities from time to time, as needed, to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

Arboretum Foundation's EEO Statement:

The Arboretum Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities at the Arboretum Foundation are based on one's qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, age, HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis C status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity; honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability or, any other characteristic protected by law.

This Equal Employment Opportunity policy governs all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, selection, job assignment, promotions, transfers, compensation, discipline, termination, layoff, access to benefits and training, and all other conditions and privileges of employment.