HR Coordinator / Administrator

Description:

ABOUT JOHNSON NURSERY

Johnson Nursery is a family-owned wholesale and retail plant nursery in Willard, NC, serving the horticultural industry for over 40 years. We grow and ship 2,000+ plant varieties — annuals, perennials, shrubs, tropicals, grasses, and trees — to garden centers, nurseries, landscapers, and botanical gardens across the eastern United States. We also operate a local garden center and The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina, a community destination for events, workshops, and venue rentals. We are a people-first, family-owned business where every role has real impact. This position is central to the health and culture of our entire organization.

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a high-energy, bilingual (English/Spanish) HR Coordinator / Administrator who loves working in an agricultural environment and is passionate about building a strong workplace culture. This is a hands-on, on-the-ground role with daily interaction across all departments, including our seasonal H-2A workforce. The right candidate is organized, approachable, bilingual, and comfortable moving between an office and the production floor. This role owns day-to-day HR operations, including payroll coordination, recruiting, onboarding, safety leadership, compliance, and employee relations. Over time, the candidate will also serve as a backup payroll processor, with full training provided.

WHO THRIVES IN THIS ROLE

The ideal candidate is a high-energy self-starter who brings genuine enthusiasm to their work and to the people around them. They love the outdoors, feel at home in an agricultural environment, and see HR as a way to make a real difference in people's lives — not just a compliance function. They are bilingual bridge-builders who take pride in being the person that employees of all backgrounds can trust and turn to. They don't wait to be told what needs fixing — they see it, own it, and act.

Requirements:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Payroll & Benefits Administration Coordinate and submit bi-weekly payroll through Paylocity Train toward and serve as backup payroll processor Respond to employee questions on pay, PTO, and deductions Manage benefits enrollment, corrections, and open enrollment Support W-2 distribution and year-end paperwork (e.g., 5500 forms) Troubleshoot timekeeping and time clock issues Recruiting, Onboarding & Community Partnerships Manage job postings, applicant communication, and interview scheduling Coordinate pre-employment background checks and physicals Lead new hire orientation and onboarding for a consistent, welcoming experience Administer new hire surveys and use feedback to improve onboarding Work with managers to facilitate on-the-job (OTJ) training programs Coordinate placement and management of temporary workers Build relationships with local community colleges and workforce development programs Represent Johnson Nursery at job fairs, community hiring events, and workforce partnerships Safety Program & Committee Leadership Lead and facilitate the company safety committee — meetings, action items, and reporting Champion a culture of safety across greenhouse, nursery, and retail environments Coordinate OSHA and compliance safety training Maintain safety records, incident logs, and workers' compensation documentation Partner with managers on workplace incident investigation and corrective actions Ensure safety signage, labor postings, and AED program remain current and compliant Employee Relations & Engagement Serve as the first point of contact for employee HR questions and concerns Foster a positive, inclusive, and team-oriented workplace culture Drive employee recognition programs and engagement initiatives Support conflict resolution and escalate to leadership as appropriate Conduct offboarding including exit interviews, final pay, and COBRA notification Compliance & Legal Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws Maintain and update employee handbooks and HR policies Keep labor law postings current at all locations Support data privacy, anti-discrimination, and harassment prevention policies Assist with HR-related audits, investigations, and legal matters as directed Maintain Insurance and 401k-related company needs, employee requests for information, and the Broker relationship H-2A Seasonal Workforce Coordination Serve as the primary HR point of contact for all H-2A seasonal workers Communicate policy changes, pay updates, and program requirements to workers in Spanish Coordinate with the program agency (Del-Al) on documentation and worker lists Oversee inspection readiness for H-2A housing (local, state, and county compliance) Calculate and process H-2A reimbursements accurately and on schedule HR Administration & Systems Maintain accurate employee records in Paylocity and ensure data integrity Manage HR email and respond to time-sensitive communications promptly Support transition to digital/paperless HR files Coordinate with insurance vendors on workers' compensation, general liability, and benefits Generate HR reports and metrics for leadership as requested

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Fluent in English and Spanish — written and spoken (non-negotiable) 2+ years of HR, HR administration, or related experience Working knowledge of payroll processing and timekeeping systems Familiarity with federal and North Carolina labor law compliance Proficiency in Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Drive, Gmail, Calendar) Proficiency in all Microsoft Office products Strong Excel aptitude — data management, tracking, and reporting Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail Ability to communicate effectively with diverse, multilingual workforces Comfortable working in a hands-on agricultural or production environment Preferred Experience managing or supporting H-2A or agricultural visa programs Prior experience with Paylocity or similar HRIS platforms PHR, SHRM-CP, or other HR certification Safety committee leadership or OSHA compliance background Community college or workforce development partnership experience Bilingual HR experience in an agricultural, nursery, or seasonal workforce setting

WHAT WE OFFER

Competitive salary of $48,000 - $52,000 based on experience Benefits package including health insurance and retirement options Stable, family-owned company with 40+ years in business Hands-on role with real ownership and direct impact from day one Opportunity to lead safety, culture, and community partnership initiatives Supportive team environment rooted in integrity, community, and care