HR Specialist - Temporary

Description

Company Background

Headquartered in centrally located Chehalis, Washington, Alta operates in multiple Northwest rural communities . 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.

Position Summary:

Alta Forest Products is seeking a dependable, detail-oriented HR Specialist to support the Corporate Human Resources team in Chehalis temporarily during a leave of absence and while the department completes several HR related projects.  This full-time temporary position will assist with payroll, benefits administration, HR documentation, employee support, office coordination, and related administrative functions.

The ideal candidate has prior experience supporting human resources functions and enjoys working in a fast-paced environment where accuracy, confidentiality, follow-through, and initiative matter. This is a good opportunity for someone who has a solid HR administrative foundation and wants to broaden their experience in payroll, benefits, employee support, and corporate HR support within a corporate HR environment. This assignment is anticipated to run for a minimum of 3-6 months.

Schedule & Compensation:

• Monday through Friday
• 8:00 – 4:30 (some flexibility with prior arrangement)
• $26.00 - $34.00 per hour

Benefits Eligibility: This temporary position is not eligible for Alta Forest Products’ regular full-time employee benefit package unless the position is extended, converted, or otherwise becomes benefit-eligible under plan terms. The position may be eligible for legally required benefits, including Washington Paid Sick Leave, in accordance with applicable law.

Essential Job Functions:

• Support payroll administration by assisting with employee records, payroll-related documentation, timekeeping follow-up, data entry, and routine payroll file maintenance.
• Assist with benefits administration, including employee enrollment support, benefit change documentation, eligibility tracking, invoice review, and follow-up with employees or vendors as directed.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records, files, forms, lists, and HR-related documentation.
• Assist with onboarding activities including new hire paperwork, collection of required documents, employee communications, and coordination with hiring managers.
• Respond to routine employee questions and route payroll, benefits, policy, or employee relations matters to the appropriate HR team member.
• Prepare, scan, file, and organize HR, payroll and benefits records with a high level of accuracy.
• Assist with internal communications, employee announcements, reports, spreadsheets, forms, and process documentation.
• Track follow-up items, deadlines, document requests, and pending tasks to ensure work is completed timely.
• Support special projects, data cleanup efforts, audits, spreadsheet maintenance, and system transition activities.
• Greet employees, visitors, and vendors and provide professional support to the corporate office as needed.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

•  Support payroll administration by assisting with employee records, payroll-related documentation, timekeeping follow-up, data entry, and routine payroll file maintenance.
• Assist with benefits administration, including employee enrollment support, benefit change documentation, eligibility tracking, invoice review, and follow-up with employees or vendors as directed.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records, files, forms, lists, and HR-related documentation.
• Assist with onboarding activities including new hire paperwork, collection of required documents, employee communications, and coordination with hiring managers.
• Respond to routine employee questions and route payroll, benefits, policy, or employee relations matters to the appropriate HR team member.
• Prepare, scan, file, and organize HR, payroll and benefits records with a high level of accuracy.
• Assist with internal communications, employee announcements, reports, spreadsheets, forms, and process documentation.
• Track follow-up items, deadlines, document requests, and pending tasks to ensure work is completed timely.
• Support special projects, data cleanup efforts, audits, spreadsheet maintenance, and system transition activities.
• Greet employees, visitors, and vendors and provide professional support to the corporate office as needed.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Prior experience supporting payroll, benefits, HR, employee records, or similar administrative processes required.
• Experience using HRIS, payroll, benefits, or timekeeping systems preferred.
• Two or more years of administrative, office support, payroll, benefits, HR, or related experience preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, and Excel, with the ability to use spreadsheets for data entry, sorting, filtering, tracking, and basic review.
• Strong attention to detail, data accuracy, filing, recordkeeping, and document management skills.
• Ability to manage confidential employee information with discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment.
• Strong follow-through, initiative, and ownership of assigned tasks, with the ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines, and stay organized in a busy office environment.
• Positive, team-oriented attitude with a willingness to learn, ask questions, and jump in where needed.
• Professional verbal and written communication skills with employees, leaders, vendors, and visitors.
• Ability to identify when issues need to be escalated to HR leadership.
• Regular, reliable attendance and punctuality are essential.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of applicable pre-employment screening, including a background check.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk throughout the workday.
• Frequent use of computers, keyboards, telephones, and office equipment.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to bend, reach, and file documents as needed.

Alta Forest Products is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment.

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

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities; the employee may be required to perform other duties as assigned, consistent with the role's overall objectives.