People Operations Generalist

About firsthand

firsthand supports individuals living with SMI (serious mental illness). Our holistic approach includes a team of peer recovery specialists, benefits specialists and clinicians. Our teams focus on meeting each individual where they are and walking with them side by side as a trusted guide and partner on their journey to better health.

firsthand's team members use their lived experience to build trust with these individuals and support them in reconnecting to the healthcare they need, while minimizing inappropriate healthcare utilization. Together with our health plan partners, we are changing the way our society supports those most impacted by SMI.

We are cultivating a team of deeply passionate problem‑solvers to tackle significant and complex healthcare challenges with us. This is more than a job—it's a calling. Every day, you will engage in work that resonates with purpose, gain wisdom from motivated colleagues, and thrive in an environment that celebrates continuous learning, creativity, and fun.

firsthand is seeking a hands‑on People Operations Generalist to support our growing team. In this role, you'll be the local HR partner, working closely with regional leaders and our centralized HR team to create an exceptional experience for our team members. This role must reside in Michigan or Ohio and be able to travel to our markets across the states.

You’ll lead local hiring efforts for our firsthand Guides, partner with our Learning & Development team to deliver trainings, and be the first point of contact for employee relations issues. Reporting to the Senior Director, People, this is a highly collaborative and team‑focused role.

• Recruit & Hire: Lead end‑to‑end hiring for firsthand Guides and other regional roles, ensuring we bring in great talent aligned with our mission
• Onboard & Support: Welcome new hires, help guide them through onboarding, and serve as a trusted HR resource for day‑to‑day questions
• Deliver Training: Partner with the Learning & Development team to deliver orientations and targeted trainings that build skills and connection, and collaborate with managers to ensure teams are well trained
• Be a Trusted Partner: Support managers and employees with HR policies, employee relations, and workplace best practices, escalating complex matters when needed
• Ensure Compliance: Help maintain a fair and legally sound workplace by supporting compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws
• Collaborate & Improve: Share feedback and insights from the community to help shape and strengthen company‑wide People programs

• 3+ years of HR experience, ideally in a Generalist or HR Business Partner role
• Experience with recruiting practices and tools, including Greenhouse
• Strong understanding of employment laws and HR fundamentals
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills
• A proactive, flexible approach and comfort working locally while partnering with centralized teams
• Experience delivering or facilitating trainings

Base salary range: $90,000—$100,000 USD

For full‑time employees, our compensation package includes base, equity (or a special incentive program for clinical roles) and performance bonus potential. Our benefits include physical and mental health, dental, vision, 401(k) with a match, 16 weeks of parental leave for either parent, 15 days/year vacation in your first year (this increases to 20 days/year in your second year and beyond), and a supportive and inclusive culture.

Employment with firsthand is contingent upon attesting to medical clearance requirements, which include, but may not be limited to: evidence of vaccination for/immunity to COVID-19, Hepatitis B, Influenza, MMR, Chickenpox, Tetanus and Diphtheria. All employees of firsthand are required to receive these vaccinations on a cadence/frequency as advised by the CDC, whereas not otherwise prohibited by state law.

New hires may submit for consideration a request to be exempted from these requirements (based on a valid religious or medical reason) via forms provided by firsthand. Such requests will be subject to review and approval by the Company, and exemptions will be granted only if the Company can provide a reasonable accommodation in relation to the requested exemption. Note that approvals for reasonable accommodations are reviewed and approved on a case‑by‑case basis and availability of a reasonable accommodation is not guaranteed.

Unfortunately, we are not able to offer sponsorship at this time.