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Position Summary
The Onboarding & Training Specialist coordinates the onboarding process for new employees and conducts approximately half of the company's new-hire orientation program. This position leads the safety and hands-on training portions of orientation, ensuring new employees understand workplace expectations, required safety practices, proper use of personal protective equipment, and the basic operation of landscaping tools and equipment before beginning fieldwork.
The specialist works closely with Human Resources, Safety, and Operations to provide a consistent, organized, and engaging onboarding experience that prepares employees to perform their jobs safely and successfully.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
New-Hire Onboarding
- Work closely with the recruiter to coordinate new hire orientations and follow up.
- Review and collect employment forms, identification, certifications, licenses, and other required documentation.
- Complete Form I-9, E-Verify, HRIS entry, and other onboarding requirements accurately and within required deadlines.
- Assist new hires with payroll enrollment, direct deposit, company policies, benefits information, and employee handbook acknowledgments.
- Distribute and document company uniforms, personal protective equipment, and other assigned materials.
- Maintain accurate onboarding records, training acknowledgments, attendance records, and employee files.
- Coordinate with managers to confirm employee assignments, work locations, supervisors, schedules, and equipment needs.
New-Hire Orientation and Safety Training
- Lead approximately half of the new-hire orientation program, primarily covering safety and hands-on training.
- Deliver company-approved safety training in coordination with the Safety and Operations departments.
- Review required personal protective equipment and demonstrate its proper use, inspection, care, and replacement.
- Train employees on general landscaping hazards, including:
- Heat stress and hydration
- Lifting and material-handling techniques
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Noise exposure
- Hazard communication
- Equipment and vehicle safety
- Weather-related hazards
- Emergency procedures
- Injury and incident reporting
- Reinforce company safety policies, work rules, attendance expectations, and standards of professional conduct.
- Confirm employee understanding through demonstrations, practical exercises, verbal questions, or written assessments.
- Document completed training and immediately communicate safety concerns or employees requiring additional instruction.
Hands-On Training
- Conduct practical training on the safe handling and basic operation of landscaping tools and equipment, which may include mowers, trimmers, edgers, blowers, hand tools, and other company-approved equipment.
- Demonstrate safe startup, shutdown, inspection, transportation, cleaning, and storage procedures.
- Teach proper body positioning, lifting techniques, and work practices intended to reduce injuries.
- Provide employees with supervised opportunities to demonstrate their ability to use equipment correctly.
- Identify employees who are not prepared to operate equipment independently and coordinate additional training with their supervisor.
- Ensure employees do not operate specialized equipment or perform regulated work without the required authorization, certification, or supervision.
Employee Support and Follow-Up
- Conduct follow-ups with new employees and supervisors during the introductory employment period.
- Help resolve onboarding issues involving schedules, uniforms, payroll access, transportation expectations, or required documentation.
- Gather feedback from new hires and managers to improve the onboarding and training process.
- Track onboarding completion, training participation, new-hire retention, and other assigned metrics.
- Provide bilingual onboarding and training support when qualified and needed.
- Assist with recruiting events, employee engagement activities, job-site visits, and other Human Resources projects.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree in Human Resources, business, safety, training, or a related field preferred.
- At least two years of experience in onboarding, employee training, Human Resources, landscaping, construction, or another field-based industry preferred.
- Experience delivering safety or hands-on equipment training strongly preferred.
- Working knowledge of onboarding documentation, Form I-9 requirements, and confidential employee records.
- Ability to explain policies and safety procedures clearly to employees with different levels of experience.
- Strong organizational, communication, presentation, and recordkeeping skills.
- Comfortable speaking and demonstrating procedures in front of groups.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HR information systems.
- Bilingual English/Spanish skills required.
- Valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record required.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work in both office and outdoor field environments.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and demonstrate landscaping tasks for extended periods.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to work outdoors in heat, cold, humidity, and other weather conditions.
- Ability to safely demonstrate tools and equipment while wearing required personal protective equipment.
Work Environment
This position works in an office, training areas, company facilities, and active landscaping job sites. The employee may be exposed to outdoor weather, dust, noise, moving equipment, chemicals, and other conditions commonly associated with landscaping operations. Required personal protective equipment must be worn when applicable.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The company is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
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