HR Generalist / HR Business Partner

Position Summary

The HR Generalist / HR Business Partner will provide day-to-day human resources support to our U.S. operations. This role partners with managers and employees to deliver HR services across the full employment lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, training coordination, compliance, and HR administration. The position requires strong organizational and communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a fast-paced and evolving environment. This position reports to CFO of U.S. with matrix reporting to HR Manager and is based in the Lake Charles, LA, area.

Key Responsibilities

1. Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Manage end-to-end recruiting process for technical, administrative, and operational roles.
• Coordinate job postings, screening, interviews, and preemployment checks.
• Prepare offer letters and ensure compliance with U.S. and state labor laws.
• Manage onboarding logistics: I-9 verification, E-Verify, new-hire documentation, system setup, and orientation.
• Coordinate relocation support when applicable.
• Partner with LED FastStart, local colleges, technical schools, etc. to raise awareness and build a local talent pipeline

2. Employee Relations & HR Support

• Serve as a first point of contact for employees regarding HR policies, benefits, and procedures.
• Support managers in addressing employee concerns in a respectful and compliant way.
• Lead internal communication across U.S. operations
• Escalate complex cases to the HR Manager as needed.
• Facilitate high standards of communication.
• Develop and reinforce company culture and values.

3. HR Compliance & Recordkeeping

• Maintain accurate and confidential personnel files, ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements (FLSA, EEOC, ADA, FMLA, state labor laws etc.).
• Develop, organize and track mandatory trainings (safety, harassment prevention, compliance etc.).
• Assist in audits, reporting, and policy updates.

4. Payroll & Benefits Support

• Collaborate with payroll provider and finance teams to ensure correct timesheets, PTO tracking, and employee data updates.
• Assist employees with benefits enrollment, qualifying life events, and general benefits inquiries.
• Coordinate Workers’ Compensation documentation and follow-up.
• Experience with Professional Employer Organizations (PEO) is a plus.

5. HR Processes & Continuous Improvement

• Support performance management, progressive discipline, and goal-setting processes.
• Assist in developing HR guidelines, procedures, and process improvements.
• Gather HR metrics and support reporting (headcount, turnover, training hours, etc.).
• Support change management initiatives as the organization grows from early stage to full operations.
• Other tasks as assigned.

6. Community Relations & External Engagement

• Support Aclara with relationships with local community organizations, chambers of commerce
• Support public relations efforts at community events, local forums

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or related field or equivalent experience.
• HR certification (SHRM-CP, PHR) is a plus or willingness to obtain.

Experience

• 5 – 10 years of HR experience (generalist, coordinator, or HRBP junior).
• Experience in energy, manufacturing, industrial, mining, or chemical environments is preferred.
• Knowledge of U.S. HR practices, federal labor regulations, and state requirements.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of MS Office and HRIS systems (e.g., Paychex Flex, ADP, Paycom).
• Understanding of I-9 compliance, payroll basics, and benefits administration.
• Experience with recruiting platforms (Indeed, LinkedIn, etc.).

Core Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• High sense of ownership, confidentiality, and professionalism.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with attention to detail.
• Problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability.
• Customer-service mindset for internal stakeholders.