Specialist, People & Culture

Specialist, People & Culture Apply Overview Salary Range $27.88 - $29.59 Hourly Position Type Full Time Apply Description About Oregon Humane Founded in 1868, Oregon Humane is the Northwest's oldest and largest animal welfare organization with one of the highest adoption rates in the nation. We are working toward our vision of a world where all animals are treated with compassion, kindness, and respect. With campuses in Portland and Salem, Oregon Humane is an Oregon-based nonprofit that relies on donor support for its adoption, education, medical and humane law enforcement programs. Visit oregonhumane.org to learn more about how we’re creating an ecosystem where all of us – animals and humans – feel safe, valued and part of something bigger. The Team The People & Culture team is a multifaceted and dedicated group that plays a crucial role in shaping our organization's culture and ensuring the well-being of our employees, volunteers, and community. Comprised of experts in human resources, safety, emergency response, community education, volunteers, facilities, and learning and development, our team works tirelessly to foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for our organization, reflecting our core values and commitment to our community. The Position The Specialist, People & Culture is dedicated to creating a positive, engaging, and supportive employee experience beginning with day one. By leading wellness programs, enhancing onboarding, and strengthening communication across the organization, this role helps employees feel connected, informed, and set up for success. Working closely with leaders and teams across the organization, this position brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to learning, development, and engagement. This role will require frequent travel between campuses, working 3 days a week in Portland and 2 days a week in Salem, with the potential to work from home one day a week, after 90 days of employment. Eligible Benefits We are committed to creating a better future for pets, and we work hard to achieve our goals while offering a rewarding workplace including competitive benefit packages to our employees. Medical/Dental/Vision Paid Time Off + Sick Time + Holidays 401(k) with employer match Professional Development Opportunities One free Oregon Humane adoption / year Perks & Discounts Essential Responsibilities PERSONAL LEADERSHIP Consistently strives to exceed expectations; demonstrates flexibility, resilience, and the ability to maintain positive relationships and composure, even under difficult circumstances. Maintains high ethical standards, including exhibiting behaviors and actions that embrace and align to the organization and customer service values, while treating all people with respect and dignity. Demonstrates an awareness of individual personal strengths and development needs, modeling non-defensive behavior and openness to feedback; builds a culture of feedback and learning. LEARNING Contributes to regular dialogue and accountability with the leadership team and across the organization to review progress and course correct if necessary. Utilizes data and insights to identify, understand and articulate the key inputs and metrics that tell the story of the organization/team strategy and its progress. Builds appropriate feedback loops to measure if we are meeting key milestones and if the impact planned is being felt across the organization. Assist in the development and maintenance of training for staff, including in-person and online trainings. INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION Communicate effectively to executive and other stakeholder groups to ensure they are informed and able to actively engage. Liaise with and maintain productive relationships with all stakeholders, including other departments, and donors; build mutually rewarding professional relationships inside Oregon Humane at all levels. Leverage our best practices externally and grow Oregon Humane’ reputation as a leader in the animal welfare space. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Employee Engagement Manages the day-to-day People & Culture wellness and wellbeing initiatives to support a positive and engaging work environment. Oversees the Second Growth partnership across both campuses, using feedback to continuously evaluate and improve the program; supports coordination, setup, and facilitation of sessions. Plans, implements, and promotes employee wellbeing initiatives, including recognition programs, educational opportunities, and signature events. Owns the annual engagement calendar, including planning, coordination, and execution of events. Manages the promotion, scheduling, and communication for all internal People & Culture–sponsored events. Serves as administrator for the Compassion in Balance program, including license management, reporting, and program integration. Manages internal People & Culture communications to ensure employees remain informed, connected, and engaged, including: Digital displays Internal newsletters Heritage and other People & Culture communications Support for external event communications Assists with the design and branding of internal People & Culture materials as needed. Employee Experience In partnership with the Manager, People & Culture and other key stakeholders, assist in the development and deployment of an employee-led 90-day onboarding experience, assisting the enhancement of the orientation program for new hires and employees transitioning within Oregon Humane. In partnership with Coordinator, P&C, facilitate pre-employment and first day orientation on the Salem campus, fostering an inclusive, welcoming and informative experience for employees on day one. Work closely with the appropriate stakeholders to ensure all new staff have the learning courses they need to have a successful onboarding process. In partnership with Operations leadership, coordinate, maintain, and facilitate employee onboarding live classes. Gather information, create, and print new employee information cards. In partnership with Program Manager, Learning & Development develop and maintain Learning & Development compliance including: SOPs, procedures, staff attendance and the audit of L&D assets. Work with leaders across the organization to champion and ensure all required staff are engaged in trainings (e.g. scheduling, room reservations, registration, reminders, attendance). Facilitate learning engagements and/or upskilling programs, as well as other L&D initiatives in response to the changing needs of the organization. In partnership with key stakeholders, Support managers in developing team members through career pathing and development planning; help assess effectiveness and optimize learning opportunities. Metrics, Data & Program Strategy As needed, support the Program Manager, Learning and Development in analyzing data to generate insights that inform decision-making and improve learning outcomes. Support and contribute to People & Culture strategic priorities related to employee engagement and wellness. Gather candidate experience feedback from new hires and provide alternative approaches to address feedback when relevant. Conduct follow-up evaluations to measure training effectiveness, impact, and return on investment. Implement and manage feedback mechanisms to continuously improve wellness programs and internal communication strategy. As needed, support the development and deployment of onboarding feedback tools and processes. SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY Supervises: None ACCOUNTABILITY Reports Directly To: Manager, People & Culture Often Engages Directly With: Program Manager, Learning & Development, People Partner Team, People and Culture teams, Operations staff, and others across Oregon Humane. Qualifications Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills We are interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We welcome applicants who bring a diversity of identity, culture, experience, perspective and thought. We encourage you to apply, even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications described. You are also encouraged to address how your professional and lived experience, scholarship, mentorship and/or service will contribute to the Oregon Humane. 1-2 years in Human Resource, People & Culture, Wellness, L&D, or Employee Engagement roles. Proven work experience as an Onboarding Manager or in a relevant HR role. Hands on experience teaching/training adults using a wide range of learning methods and techniques. Leadership through influence and rapport building. Ability to collaborate with others, listen to and recognize different perspectives and identify a solution that meets the minimum requirements of all stakeholders. Independent thinking and confidence in decision-making. Agile decision making and the ability to change quickly when needed. Familiarity with employment paperwork, including terms of agreement, fixed-term contracts and confidentiality act. High-level organizational skills and ability to handle confidential materials in a professional and discrete manner. Able to exercise sound judgment and maintain a professional demeanor during all interactions with the public, partner agencies, donors, staff and volunteers. Proficiency using the Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, and Excel. Excellent verbal and written communication skills - able to communicate with a diverse population in a consistently informative, respectful and professional manner. Work Environment Conditions & Physical Requirements This position interacts and collaborates will all levels of the organization, including Oregon Humane staff, executive team members, donors, general public, external vendors, volunteers, and supporters. Contact and communication is carried out through face-to-face, telephone and digital interactions. Excellent customer service skills are essential to success. Communication must be clear, understandable, professional and respectful in all circumstances. WORKING CONDITIONS Work is performed in an office and medical center/animal shelter environment. Travel between the two campuses is required on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. Working at both campuses is required. Occasional weekend and evening work may be required. Animal contact and related injuries may occur. Noise exposure varies and sometimes includes uncontrolled barking and other animal vocalizations. Pace of work is active and demanding, requiring the ability to adapt to changing priorities while managing concurrent projects/tasks to completion. Contact with angry or emotional people may occur. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Occasional lifting and moving of inanimate objects weighing up to 100 lbs. Occasional pushing and pulling of carted items weighing up to 150 lbs. Occasional moving items above shoulder level. Occasional use of hands and arms at or above shoulder level. Prolonged standing, sitting and/or stooping may occur. Occasional climbing and bending. Must be able to remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and address and overcome complex challenges and barriers. We strive for a culture of integrity, respect and compassion where every member of our community contributes their perspectives and authentic selves and where everyone reaches their potential as individuals and teams. We recognize that striving for diversity, equity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today. Equal Employment Opportunity Oregon Humane is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group. At-Will Employment This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.