HR Generalist
Department: Human Resources
Location: Sarasota, FL (in office, 5 day/week)
Reports To: HR Manager / Director of Human Resources
Compensation Range: $30-35 hourly (overtime eligible)
Other Compensation: Eligible for annual performance bonus
Benefits: Comprehensive package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, paid time off and travel opportunities
The Ceres Commitment
Ceres Environmental Services is a leader in crisis management, rapid response, and disaster recovery, committed to rebuilding stronger, safer communities. Founded in 1976, Ceres has secured more than $3.4 billion in government-funded contracts, reflecting decades of trust in bringing hope during times of need.
We specialize in emergency response, environmental services, planning, and consulting, including debris removal, blue roofs, logistics, debris management, demolition, recycling, forest management, and coastal and marine restoration. As a licensed general contractor, we offer unparalleled expertise to restore stability where it’s needed most.
Driven by Purpose, Powered by People
At Ceres, we believe you’re more than just an employee; you’re part of a team with a purpose and a meaningful mission. Whether in management, field operations, or behind the scenes, every team member plays a vital role in restoring hope, helping communities recover and rebuild.
We value initiative, respect diversity, and give our people the freedom to lead. We offer competitive pay, travel opportunities, and a culture built on resilience and teamwork. If you show up with compassion, share the commitment, react with urgency, and deliver solutions, you’ll fit right in. We don’t just respond to challenges; we rise to them.
What We Are Looking For
The HR Generalist is a trusted and highly collaborative partner responsible for supporting the full employee lifecycle in a fast-paced, mission-driven organization. This role combines expertise in employee relations, benefits administration, HR compliance, operational support, HRIS management, and regulatory reporting with a strong commitment to delivering exceptional service to employees and leaders.
Because our workforce rapidly expands and contracts during emergency response activations, the ideal candidate is adaptable, detail-oriented, and able to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment. Success in this role requires sound judgment, a customer-focused mindset, discretion when handling confidential information, and the ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
This position is based in our Sarasota, Florida corporate office and requires an on-site presence five days per week. To support emergency response operations, the HR Generalist must also be available to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends, during activations and major events.
What You Will Do
Compliance & Regulatory Reporting
- Support compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
- Maintain accurate I-9 documentation and E-Verify compliance for a high-volume, rapidly scaling workforce.
- Assist with audits, unemployment claims, workers compensation reporting, and records retention requirements.
Employee Experience & Relations
- Support onboarding, offboarding, mobilization, and demobilization activities.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for employee questions related to benefits, payroll, HR policies, and programs.
- Partner with HR leadership to address employee relations matters.
HRIS & Data Management (Paycom)
- Maintain accurate employee records and ensure data integrity.
- Manage personnel files and employment documentation.
- Provide employee support and training related to HR systems.
General HR Operations
- Support recruiting, onboarding, and workforce planning efforts.
- Assist in policy and handbook maintenance.
- Prepare HR reports and workforce metrics.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field.
- 3+ years of progressive HR experience.
- Proficient in Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel (pivot tables highly preferred).
- Strong employment law knowledge to include federal and multi-state, to include required mandated reporting.
- Strong attention to detail and discretion with confidential information
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience using Paycom for payroll and other administrative tasks.
- PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification.
- Benefits administration and reconciliation experience.
- Experience conducting new hire orientation.
- Experience providing HR support across multiple business entities.
- Government contracting, construction, or field workforce experience.
- Prevailing wage and certified payroll knowledge.
What to Expect
As an HR Generalist, you'll be the go-to resource for employees and leaders, balancing employee support, compliance, HR operations, in a fast-paced, service-focused environment. You can expect to manage competing priorities daily, from onboarding and employee relations to maintaining accurate records, reporting, and regulatory compliance. Because our workforce rapidly expands and contracts during emergency response activations, flexibility, attention to detail, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are essential. This is a fully on-site role in Sarasota, FL, requiring five days in the office and availability to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends, during activations and major events.
Physical Requirements and Environment
Ceres provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to applicants with sincerely held religious beliefs, as required by law. If you need accommodation to perform these functions, please inform us during the application process.
Why Join Ceres?
At Ceres, you won’t just have a job, you’ll have a mission. Your work will directly impact the speed and strength of community recovery after disasters.
We offer:
• A collaborative, mission-driven culture.
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
• The chance to make a lasting difference for communities across the U.S.
Ceres Environmental is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability status, or protected veteran status.
E-Verify: We comply with Federal law by verifying employment eligibility.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
- 3+ years of progressive HR generalist experience, including benefits and compliance.
- Hands-on experience administering HR and payroll within Paycom.
- Strong working knowledge of federal & multi-state employment law and mandated reporting.
- Proven experience with benefits reconciliation.
- Excellent attention to detail, discretion with confidential information, and strong customer-service orientation.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with fluctuating workforce demands.
- Clear communication & service mindset.
- Analytical & reconciliation skills.
- Systems and data proficiency.
- May work extended hours and weekends during peak season.
- PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification.
- Experience supporting government-contract, construction, or field-based workforces.
- Familiarity with prevailing wage / certified payroll.
- Experience managing HR across multiple legal entities.
- Advanced Paycom configuration, reporting, or implementation experience.
What We Do
Founded in 1976, Ceres Environmental Services, Inc. is a crisis management firm specializing in rapid response, disaster recovery, environmental hazards, logistics, demolition, and debris operations after major natural and human-made catastrophes. For five decades, Ceres has successfully managed some of the largest and most complex disaster response projects across the United States and abroad.
