Human Resources Director

Who We Are
Shelburne Farms is an education nonprofit on a mission to inspire and cultivate learning for a sustainable future. We offer transformative learning experiences to help educators and students create a better world. Our home campus is a 1,400-acre working farm located on the traditional, unceded and contemporary homelands of the Winooskik band of the Abenaki.

Commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Shelburne Farms recognizes that justice, equity, and access are central to sustainability. We are committed to translating these values into action across the organization by improving equitable outcomes in our culture, programs, and services. Shelburne Farms is working to create experiences of belonging for all, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities, and people of all economic realities.

The Human Resources Director (“HRD”) plays an essential role in creating and sustaining positive relationships with staff, and an environment that is inclusive, nurturing, safe, respectful, and engaging for everyone who works at Shelburne Farms.

Reporting to the President, the HRD supports HR activities and initiatives in alignment with Shelburne Farms’ educational mission, strategic goals, and core values. This includes partnering with and supporting the farm’s management team to embed a culture of equitable practices and continuous learning throughout the organization, and to cultivate positive employee relationships, a sense of belonging, and leadership development.

The HRD ensures that SF has the staff it needs during peak periods by supporting managers’ hiring efforts and providing well-rounded compensation and benefits for employees and their family members. The HRD works closely with accounting staff to execute hands‑on administrative and records‑management responsibilities, including job agreements, payroll, benefits, and safety.

Recruitment and Onboarding
:
Support hiring managers with developing and executing cohesive and equitable recruiting strategies and hiring processes to meet staffing needs and build diverse teams across the organization.

Employee Relations
:
Provide support and guidance to managers and staff with questions and concerns, encouraging direct communication between staff and managers as much as possible.

Management Team Development and Performance Improvement
:
Work with the management team and consultants to develop and deliver training to optimize individual and team performance and organizational health. Topics include respectful workplace; safety; role of the supervisor (setting job expectations and goals, interviewing, removing barriers); interpersonal communication and conflict resolution skills; giving and receiving timely feedback; and customer service.

Compensation and Benefits
:
Ensure equitable compensation philosophy and practices that help attract, reward, and retain excellent staff. Regularly evaluate and help evolve benefit offerings that add value to team members and their families. Engage with employees to build a shared understanding of total compensation.

Staff Planning
:
Work with managers to plan for future staffing needs and identify and help address skill gaps.

HR Operations and Administration
:
Ensure HR‑related records and data management systems are efficient, well‑organized, and secure. Maintain an employee handbook that contains easy‑to‑understand and legally compliant employee policies and reflects the Farm’s core commitments. Perform required compliance and reporting mandated by state and federal laws (i.e., workers’ compensation, unemployment, OSHA, COBRA, etc.). Participate in relevant work teams and committees.

While all applicants need to demonstrate a passion for supporting employees and helping advance Shelburne Farms’ mission, we recognize that some applicants may not possess all qualifications listed below. We are willing to consider individuals who demonstrate comparable life experience and education in lieu of specific requirements, and/or the will, ability, and initiative to grow into new areas of responsibility.

• 5+ years’ progressive experience in all core…