HR Generalist

UNITED FIREHR GENERALISTAre you an HR professional who genuinely cares about people and wants to help them succeed? Do you step in early, ask thoughtful questions, and help others work through tough conversations instead of letting problems drag on? Do you enjoy building trust while bringing the structure and follow-through that help a growing business stay healthy? If you're a calm, high-EQ problem solver who leads with curiosity, takes ownership, and builds trust through action, we want to talk to you!As our HR Generalist, you're:A Problem Solver. You step in early, ask good questions, and get to the root of issues instead of letting them linger. You stick to the facts, cut through the noise, and help people move forward with clarity, fairness, and accountability.Relationship Driven. You genuinely care about people and build trust by being visible, approachable, and consistent. You help resolve concerns, support hard conversations, and turn issues into productive next steps.Organized and Process-Driven. You bring structure and follow-through to your work, creating systems that keep HR consistent and dependable as the company grows. You think about what is needed today while preparing for what comes next.Diplomatic. You can see the gray, understand different perspectives, and navigate sensitive situations with fairness and sound judgment. Because you lead with curiosity, people see you as a partner, not someone to fear.Accountable. You take real ownership of the HR seat and help others follow through on their commitments. You are comfortable having crucial conversations, reinforcing expectations, and making sure important things do not fall through the cracks.Resourceful and Hands-On. You are proactive, not reactive. You make your rounds, stay connected to both the office and the field, and take initiative before problems grow.Our ideal HR Generalist can strengthen both the people side and the operational side of the business. In this role, you will help shape how employees experience United Fire, support leaders through real people challenges, and bring consistency to the systems that keep the company healthy as it grows. You will create clarity, reinforce accountability, and build trust so issues are addressed early and people have what they need to do their best work.RESPONSIBILITIESOwn the HR seat at United Fire and manage priorities across recruiting, employee relations, compliance, benefits, and team development within a growing companyOwn recruiting, onboarding, and offboarding at United FireIntroduce new hires to United Fire's values, expectations, and history so employees have a consistent understanding of who we are and how we work from day oneBuild onboarding and training plans that help new hires ramp up quickly and succeed in their rolesOwn the annual performance review process, partnering with leaders to ensure reviews happen on timeEquip leaders with the tools, structure, and guidance they need to hold effective performance and accountability conversationsMaintain a visible presence across the company and build strong relationships with both office staff and field techniciansServe as an approachable, trusted HR partner by addressing concerns early, communicating clearly, and helping resolve issues before they escalateManage benefits administration, open enrollment, and day-to-day benefits questionsKeep HR systems, employee records, and documentation organized and up to date, including platforms such as PaylocityImprove HR processes over time so onboarding, reviews, benefits administration, documentation, and other key workflows stay clear and efficient as the company growsMaintain HR policies, records, and documentation in compliance with employment lawsManage relationships with external partners, including payroll providers, benefits vendors, recruiting partners, and HR advisorsHandle employee relations issues, investigations, and disputes with fairness, professionalism, and sound judgmentOversee leave requests and employee accommodationsSupport the development of middle managers so strong technicians can grow into leadership roles with clear guidance and accountabilityReinforce accountability and follow-through through the company's operating system, EOS** * This is a fully onsite role based out of Portland, OR. *******QUALIFICATIONSRequired3+ years of HR experience in a generalist, HR manager, or similarly broad HR roleExperience owning or serving as a key point of contact for multiple HR functions, such as recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, compliance, benefits, and performance managementExperience supporting employee relations, conflict resolution, or performance-related issuesExperience with employment law, HR compliance, and employee documentationExperience using digital tools such as HR systems, spreadsheets, and email to manage HR work accurately and efficiently, with the ability to learn new systems as neededPreferredExperience in a small to mid-sized business, family-owned company, or service-based environmentExperience supporting both office staff and field teamsExperience in Oregon, Washington, or similarly employee-protective statesEmployee relations investigation experienceBenefits experienceSafety committee, risk mitigation, or state compliance experienceDesiredExperience with EOS, Pinnacle, or similar operating systemsExperience with Paylocity or similar HR platformsPayroll experience****THE COMPANY – United FireUnited Fire has been a trusted, family-owned business since 1969, providing top-tier inspection, maintenance, and repair services for commercial fire safety systems. Serving Portland, Vancouver, and surrounding areas, we pride ourselves on reliability, expert licensing, and delivering quality products that protect businesses of all sizes. With a team of knowledgeable technicians and a commitment to safety, we ensure peace of mind for our clients and their customers. As we grow, we're intentionally expanding into new industries and showing customers what Higher Level Fire Protection truly looks like.WHY WORK WITH US?We're a people-first company that treats everyone — employees, customers, and partners — like family. We're at a pivotal moment in our growth, moving forward with purpose, momentum, and a clear vision. By joining us now, you'll step into a pivotal role where your work will directly impact the employee experience, strengthen the organization, and help us continue growing the right way.Here's why you'll love working with us:New challenges every day in a rock-solid, growing, and recession-proof industryThe opportunity to make a direct impact on the employee experience and help build stronger people systems as the company growsA culture that's laid-back but high-performing—jeans and polos, beers after work, and team outings like ice cream socials or mini golfAn opportunity to be part of a team that gives backThe chance to help make things better for our employees while being supported by a team that genuinely cares about peopleEverything we do is driven by our core values:Integrity: High morals and ethics, Taking care of business, Honesty, Trustworthy, Do the right thingKnowledgeable and Thorough: Know your stuff, Follow through, Attention to detailReliable: Dependable, Show up, On timeCustomer Service Above All Else: Problem Solver, CommunicationDo What You Say: Taking ownership, Blame no one, Its okay to say no, Fully deliverHow we give back:We tithe profits, mentor youth programs, buy team lunches from our customers' businesses, and will move mountains to make deadlines. Whether it's helping a team member move or paying wages while someone's in the hospital with family, we believe running a business and being a leader means showing we care through actions, not just words.****Salary: $85,000 - $100,000 + bonus opportunityBenefits: Health, Dental, Vision, 401k with company match (4% match), 5 Weeks of PTO, and Profit Sharing!** Ready to serve people, build trust, and strengthen a company built on excellence? Apply today!**