Human Resources Generalist

The HR Generalist is the operational heart of the people function at King City Gardens, supporting the full employee lifecycle across licensed cannabis cultivation and retail operations. Reporting to the Director of HR, this role is the go-to partner for managers and employees alike-handling everything from recruitment and credentialing through workplace investigations and offboarding. Compliance with Ohio Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) requirements, Ohio Administrative Code 1301:18, and applicable employment law is woven into every facet of this position.

Recruitment & Onboarding

- Lead full-cycle recruitment for cultivation, production, packaging, retail, and administrative roles-from job posting through signed offer letter.

- Administer I-9 employment eligibility verification in strict compliance with federal law.

- Coordinate Ohio DCC background screening and employee credentialing for all new hires; maintain a live tracker of credential status and expiration dates.

- Design and facilitate structured onboarding that includes regulatory compliance orientation, METRC seed-to-sale awareness, and Ohio Administrative Code 1301:18 overview.

- Partner with department leads to ensure role-specific safety and SOP training is completed before unsupervised duties begin.

Employee Relations & Performance

- Serve as a trusted, confidential resource for employee concerns, questions, and workplace issues.

- Coach managers through performance improvement plans (PIPs), corrective actions, and disciplinary processes consistent with Ohio employment law and company policy.

- Conduct stay interviews and exit interviews; synthesize turnover data into actionable retention recommendations presented to the Director of HR.

- Promote an equitable, respectful, and psychologically safe work environment across all departments and shifts.

Workplace Investigations

- Conduct thorough, impartial investigations into allegations of harassment, discrimination, workplace misconduct, policy violations, and interpersonal conflict.

- Develop investigation plans, gather and preserve evidence, conduct structured interviews with complainants, respondents, and witnesses, and maintain detailed documentation throughout.

- Prepare clear, objective investigation reports with findings and recommended remedial action; present conclusions to the Director of HR and relevant leadership.

- Ensure all investigations comply with federal and Ohio employment law, DCC regulatory requirements, and company investigation protocols.

- Coordinate with legal counsel when allegations carry legal exposure or require escalation.

- Monitor corrective actions post-investigation and track outcomes to identify systemic patterns requiring policy or training intervention.

HR Compliance & Recordkeeping

- Maintain accurate, confidential personnel files including DCC credential documentation, training certifications, and disciplinary records.

- Ensure HR policies, job descriptions, offer letters, and employment agreements comply with Ohio cannabis regulations and applicable federal and state law (FLSA, ADA, FMLA, EEO, OSHA).

- Proactively track and communicate DCC employee license renewal timelines to employees and supervisors.

- Develop, update, and distribute HR policies, employee handbooks, and SOPs in coordination with the Director of HR.

- Support DCC regulatory inspections and internal audits by producing accurate, organized HR records on request.

Benefits & Payroll Support

- Administer benefits enrollment, changes, and terminations; serve as the employee-facing point of contact for health, dental, vision, and ancillary benefit questions.

- Collaborate with payroll to ensure accurate processing of timekeeping, wage changes, and employment status updates.

- Manage leave administration including FMLA, Ohio-mandated leave, and company leave of absence policies.

Training & Development

- Coordinate mandatory compliance training including DCC regulatory updates, anti-harassment, workplace safety, and investigation-awareness programs.

- Maintain training completion records across all departments; surface gaps to department leadership and the Director of HR.

- Support managers in building team capability through HR best practices, coaching frameworks, and professional development resources.

Requirements

- Must be 21 years of age or older.

- High school diploma required; associate's or bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field strongly preferred.

- Minimum 2-3 years of HR generalist or coordinator experience, preferably in cannabis, healthcare, agriculture, or another regulated industry.

- Demonstrated experience conducting workplace investigations, including complaint intake, evidence gathering, structured interviews, and written findings.

- Working knowledge of federal and Ohio employment law (FLSA, ADA, FMLA, Title VII, EEO, at-will doctrine).

- Ability to pass all required background checks and obtain an Ohio DCC cannabis employee credential.

- Proficiency with HRIS systems, ATS platforms, and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).

- Exceptional written and verbal communication; ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion and professionalism.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- PHR, SHRM-CP, or equivalent HR certification.

- Formal training or certification in workplace investigations (e.g., AWI, HRCI, SHRM investigation courses).

- Familiarity with Ohio Administrative Code 1301:18 and the METRC compliance environment (awareness level).

- Prior experience managing DCC employee credentialing or comparable state-issued licensing programs.

- Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills are a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

- Primarily desk-based with regular movement throughout cultivation, production, and retail environments.

- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.

- Flexibility for occasional evenings or weekends during operational peaks or time-sensitive investigations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This role operates in an office setting within a DCC-licensed cannabis cultivation and processing facility. The HR Generalist interfaces daily with cultivation, production, packaging, retail, and security teams. All employees must follow applicable hygiene, safety, and compliance protocols at all times. Exposure to cannabis plant material and related allergens is possible when entering production areas; PPE is provided and required.