People Operations Manager at Wolfe

Job Title: People Operations Manager

Department/Team: Operations

Location: Freeport Maine (on-site with some flexibility to work from home)

Reports To: Managing Director of Operations

FLSA Classification: Full-Time Exempt

Supervisory Responsibility: May direct seasonal staff interns and volunteers as assigned.

Wolfes Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment is a nonprofit organization based on more than 600 acres of coastal farmland in Freeport Maine. We work to create a world where agriculture and food systems support farmer viability thriving ecosystems and vibrant communities. Through regenerative farming demonstration and training innovative research and collaboration Wolfes Neck Center advances holistic change in food systems and helps mitigate the effects of a changing climate.

The People Operations Manager plays a key role in fostering an inclusive welcoming and productive workplace while providing professional HR administrative and operational support. Reporting to the Managing Director of Operations this position is the organizations primary human resources practitioner: owning the full employee lifecycle. This role interprets and applies employment law and organizational policy and serves as an approachable resource for employees and managers. Because Wolfes Neck Center currently employs staff in Maine and multiple other states the position is also responsible for multi-state employment compliance.

This role also provides general administrative and technology support including troubleshooting user account management software subscriptions and coordination with Wolfes Neck Centers external IT service provider.

Human Resources - 75%

• Serve as the primary HR point of contact for employees and supervisors interpreting and applying Wolfes Neck Center policy and applicable employment law to specific situations and resolving them independently without day-to-day direction.
• Design and lead onboarding and orientation including benefits administration I-9 verification required training and handbook review.
• Manage full-cycle recruitment for seasonal and year-round positions in compliance with federal and Maine employment laws
• Manage workers compensation claims leaves of absence and support annual insurance reviews and benefit plan compliance.
• Partner with managers on workforce planning retention performance management and employee engagement.
• Support health safety and compliance initiatives including OSHA and Maine labor requirements.
• Manage employee relations matters including investigation documentation and fair consistent resolution.
• Draft recommend and implement updates to the employee handbook HR policies and standard operating procedures and interpret those policies for supervisors and employees.

Administrative & Operations Support - 15%

• Provide general administrative support to ensure smooth day-to-day office operations including updating staff directories Google Workspace administration signature routing and facility maintenance requests.
• Provide additional administrative support as assigned.

IT Hardware & Equipment - 10%

• Provide support for office technology by trouble shooting basic computer printer phone internet and meeting technology issues.
• Manage IT support requests and coordinate with the organizations external IT service provider.
• Manage organization-wide software subscriptions including licenses renewals user assignments new-hire setup departures and software decommissioning/archiving.

• Bachelors degree in Human Resources Business Administration or a related field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of HR Generalist or Manager-level experience; nonprofit and multi-state experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of employment laws and regulations including the FLSA FMLA ADA Title VII and OSHA; Maine employment law including Earned Paid Leave Paid Family and Medical Leave wage transparency and electronic monitoring notice requirements; and the employment laws of Massachusetts New York and the District of Columbia.
• Experience managing employee data in an HRIS.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Excellent interpersonal communication organizational and time-management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to prioritize in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong relationship-management and problem-solving skills.
• High proficiency with computer systems and software applications including Google Workspace.

The qualifications above represent the knowledge skills and abilities generally required to perform this position successfully. Candidates who do not meet every qualification but believe they are a strong fit are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Prolonged periods of sitting standing and computer work may be required. The following are essential functions of the position and may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Work is performed primarily in an office setting located on a 600-acre working farm and requires regular movement between buildings over uneven outdoor terrain in all seasons and weather conditions.
• Occasional lifting and carrying of items weighing up to 25 pounds such as office supplies equipment and event materials.
• Occasional evening and weekend hours during seasonal hiring open enrollment and organizational events.

This is a full-time position eligible for a generous benefits package which includes:

• 3 weeks of paid vacation
• 13 paid holidays 6 sick days paid day off for employees birthday
• Employer pays 90% of premiums towards employees health insurance $5000 towards the deductible
• Vision and dental insurance
• 403(b) retirement savings plan
• Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave
• Discounts on Wolfes Neck Center events campground reservations and camp store products

The annual salary range for this position is $60000 to $70000 commensurate with experience and qualifications. Applicants who submit a resume and cover letter by Oct 12th will be given priority.

Wolfes Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment welcomes a diverse pool of candidates and is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race color religion national origin ancestry sex age sexual orientation gender identity or expression pregnancy or a related medical condition familial status genetic information or predisposition status as a recipient of a protection from abuse order veteran status or physical or mental disability or any other status protected by applicable federal state or local law. We also do not retaliate against employees who assert rights under the Maine Whistleblowers Protection Act or the Workers Compensation Act.

Applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process contact our HR Department at This job description summarizes the primary responsibilities of the role and may change as organizational needs evolve. It is not an employment contract and does not guarantee employment for any specific period; employment is at will in accordance with applicable law.

Required Experience:

Manager