Fresh Energy is seeking a full-time Human Resources (HR) Manager to join our Operations team. This position offers the opportunity to play a key role in shaping and executing the company’s HR strategy, focusing on programs that drive employee engagement, performance, and growth. The HR Manager will oversee a variety of HR functions, including recruitment, employee relations, compliance, compensation, benefits, training, and organizational development. We are looking for a strategic thinker with strong communication and problem-solving abilities, someone who can work collaboratively with leadership and employees to foster an inclusive, high-performance culture.
Our Story
As experts in energy and climate, Fresh Energy understands that there are solutions within reach that can help us prevent the very worst damages of climate change. For over 30 years, Fresh Energy has been speeding Minnesota’s transition to a clean energy economy to ensure that our region enjoys good health, a vibrant economy, and thriving, equitable communities today and for generations to come. Our mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to create equitable carbon-neutral economies by 2050.
Fresh Energy has historically worked to decarbonize the electric power sector, closing coal plants, restricting the build-out of natural gas plants, and facilitating the deployment of carbon-free renewables like wind and solar. In recent years, we have turned our focus to additional sectors of the economy that also require urgent decarbonization. Fresh Energy has been an early proponent of strategic electrification, recognizing that to achieve the level of carbon reduction we need now, we must combine deep decarbonization of electricity generation with thoughtful electrification of buildings, transportation, and other sectors of the economy—while continuing to promote energy efficiency and ensure all solutions are equitable. For those end-uses that cannot be decarbonized via electrification, we also identify and promote the best use cases for low- and zero-carbon alternative fuels while hedging against false decarbonization solutions. However, as Minnesota effectively moves away from carbon-intensive fuel for electricity generation, investments continue in fossil gas infrastructure systems used to heat homes and power industry and agriculture.
Essential Responsibilities
Recruitment & Onboarding:
- Lead the recruitment process, partnering with the hiring manager on work including sourcing, interviewing, and selecting diverse top talent for a variety of roles within the organization.
- Develop and manage onboarding programs to ensure smooth integration of new employees into Fresh Energy’s culture and operations.
- Collaborate with hiring managers to understand staffing needs and align recruitment strategies.
Employee Relations:
- Act as a trusted advisor to managers and employees on a variety of HR-related issues, including conflict resolution, performance management, and employee engagement and retention.
- Foster a positive and inclusive work environment by promoting open communication, resolving disputes, and handling employee concerns professionally and effectively.
Training & Development:
- Oversee employee training programs to enhance skills, professional development, and leadership capabilities.
- Identify opportunities for growth and implement initiatives to support career development and succession planning.
Performance Management:
- Lead the performance management process, ensuring that employees are given clear performance expectations, feedback, and development opportunities.
- Support managers in implementing performance reviews, coaching, and goal-setting to enhance individual and team performance.
Compensation & Benefits:
- Manage compensation and benefits programs, including salary benchmarking, health benefits, and retirement plans, to ensure competitiveness and alignment with industry standards.
- Oversee the annual benefits enrollment process and ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
Compliance & HR Policy:
- Ensure company policies and practices comply with federal, state, and local labor laws and regulations.
- Develop, update, and communicate HR policies and procedures to employees.
- Conduct regular audits of HR practices and address any compliance issues promptly.
Culture & Engagement:
- Promote Fresh Energy’s values and mission by organizing initiatives to enhance employee morale, engagement, and retention.
- Collaborate with leadership to foster a culture of inclusivity, innovation, and collaboration within the company.
HR Analytics & Reporting:
- Maintain and analyze HR data and metrics to support decision-making and improve HR processes.
- Prepare reports for senior management on key HR metrics, trends, and areas for improvement.
Job Qualifications
Proven experience and passion for the subject matter, with a willingness to learn from diverse perspectives and ideas, to grow within Fresh Energy’s culture, and to demonstrate a strong commitment to climate action. Strong HR expertise, coupled with humility, and a deep understanding of how to collaborate effectively with colleagues, partners, and differing viewpoints, is essential.
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (HR certification is a plus).
- At least 5 years of experience in HR, with a minimum of 2 years in a managerial role.
- Strong knowledge of HR practices, labor laws, and compliance requirements.
- Experience in the nonprofit sector or a similar industry is a plus.
- Proven ability to develop and implement HR strategies that align with business goals.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships across all levels of the organization.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Self-starter who is able to work independently and collaboratively.
- Solid organizational skills, prioritization of tasks, and results oriented.
- Demonstrated ability to perform well and stay composed in a fast-paced environment.
- An accountable team player who desires to work in an environment which values and practices team collaboration.
- Solid computer skills in Windows environment, including MS Office, and the aptitude to learn any relevant software applicable to the role.
- Ability to work occasional evenings/weekends when required.
Compensation and Benefits
- Starting salary range: $70,000-$80,000 based on experience with opportunity for compensation change based on performance, equity across the organization, strategy, and organizational budget.
- Full-time, exempt position, working 40 hours per week. We believe in caring for others at work and at home. Fresh Energy is committed to keeping the workload in alignment with the true hours worked and respecting the space needed to take personal time to care for your wellbeing and your family members.
- 24 days of PTO (increases each year of employment), 15 paid holidays, and a flexible, family-friendly schedule; every Fridays the office closes at noon.
- We provide medical and dental plans, additional voluntary vision, short- and long-term disability, life, AD&D insurance, and 5 percent of annual salary contribution to your 403(b)-retirement plan from your first day at Fresh Energy. Fresh Energy will contribute a match of 1:1 up to 3% of your eligible gross salary should you decide to contribute to your plan.
- In addition, we incentivize transit, biking, and walking, offering a dollar-for-dollar bus pass match, $1 for each trip to and from work by bike or walk, and an indoor bike storage area, as well as gym, and showers available for Fresh Energy staff as part of being a tenant of the Historic Hamm Building.
- We pay 50% of the day’s parking for a full-time employee who would like to use this benefit for business parking (i.e. working from the Fresh Energy Office or in downtown St. Paul) at a covered lot in downtown St. Paul that Fresh Energy contracts with. The Employee will pay the remaining 50% of the daily parking fee. The total cost per Employee is pay-per-use.
- Generous parental leave eligible on the first day of full-time employment. Eligible employees are entitled to up to twelve (12) weeks of leave under this policy. Fresh Energy will pay an eligible employee for the first six (6) weeks of leave with the rest of the leave being unpaid or being paid through the use of PTO. A full-time employee can carry-over the eligible 80 PTO hours each fiscal year plus up to an additional 80 hours of leave to cover the remaining 6-weeks that is not paid by Fresh Energy. Employees returning from leave are eligible for a flexible work schedule subject to coordination with their managers.
- We promote and sponsor individual and joint professional workshops and trainings. Each employee is eligible for $1,000 per year to support professional development activities.
- We are intentional in co-creating relevant and inclusive flexible hybrid workplace. We foster a respectful, collaborative, and fun work environment.
About Fresh Energy
Fresh Energy is speeding Minnesota’s transition to a clean energy economy, which will ensure that our region enjoys good health, a vibrant economy, and thriving communities today and for generations to come. From putting Minnesota on the pathway to being a national renewable energy leader to promoting clean transportation options for our growing economy, Fresh Energy has been an essential partner in helping the region develop efficient, cost-effective, and inclusive energy programming.
Working purely in the public interest, Fresh Energy’s team of scientists, economists, policy analysts, and educators develops and advances solutions that secure a clean energy future where all can thrive.
Application Deadline
Applications due by April 30, 2025
