Human Resources Manager

Western Welding Academy; Gillette (WY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully paid medical option

HSA annual contribution

Company-paid life insurance

Dental and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Unlimited PTO

Paid holidays

Job summary

Western Welding Academy is seeking a steady, people-first HR Manager to own the full HR function for about 50 employees across two related companies. You will handle payroll, benefits, onboarding, compliance, and culture, guiding HR operations across the organization with a hands-on approach.

The role emphasizes full-cycle HR responsibilities, strong communication, and the ability to operate with high trust and discretion in a small-team, mission-driven environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on HR experience, ideally as a generalist who has worn many hats.
• Working knowledge of payroll, benefits administration, and HR compliance.
• Comfort learning new HR systems quickly and adapting to tools.
• Solid understanding of federal employment law; Wyoming or multistate knowledge is a plus.
• Clear, warm, and professional communication, both written and verbal.
• High trust and discretion with confidential information.
• Self-directed and organized, able to run the full HR function with limited oversight.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and AI platforms.

Responsibilities

• Run full-cycle payroll for about 50 employees across two related companies.
• Manage time and attendance, including timesheet reviews and approvals.
• Complete weekly 401(k) contributions and monthly HSA contributions on time.
• Maintain accurate employee records and pay data.
• Answer multistate payroll and withholding questions as they arise.
• Administer medical, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), and HSA plans.
• Oversee new hire enrollments, open enrollment, and life event changes.
• Ensure compliance with federal and Wyoming employment laws and policies.
• Manage I-9s, personnel records, and mandated reporting.
• Lead full-cycle recruiting, interviewing, and coordination of interviews.
• Own onboarding, 30/60/90-day plans, and offboarding procedures.
• Support a confidential, mission-aligned culture and coach managers.

Skills

HR generalist

Payroll knowledge

Benefits administration

HR compliance

Communication

Self-directed

Tools

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office

AI platforms

Job description

About The Role
Western Welding Academy is on a mission to build a better generation of blue-collar craftsmen, and we are looking for a steady, people-first HR Manager to help us care for the team that makes that mission possible. This is the one HR seat for our organization, supporting about 50 employees across two related companies. You will own the full people function, from payroll and benefits to hiring, onboarding, compliance, and culture.

About The Role
Western Welding Academy is on a mission to build a better generation of blue-collar craftsmen, and we are looking for a steady, people-first HR Manager to help us care for the team that makes that mission possible. This is the one HR seat for our organization, supporting about 50 employees across two related companies. You will own the full people function, from payroll and benefits to hiring, onboarding, compliance, and culture.
What You Will Own
Payroll and HR Systems

• Run full-cycle payroll for about 50 employees across two related companies (two EINs).
• Manage time and attendance, including timesheet review, corrections, and approvals.
• Complete weekly 401(k) contribution uploads and monthly HSA contributions on time.
• Keep employee records, PTO, and pay data accurate and current.
• Answer multistate payroll and withholding questions as they come up.
  

Benefits Administration

• Administer medical, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), and HSA plans.
• Manage new hire enrollments, open enrollment, and life event changes.
• Resolve employee benefits inquiries and support annual broker reviews.
  

Compliance and Risk

• Ensure compliance with federal and Wyoming employment laws and handbook policies.
• Maintain I-9s, personnel records, and mandated reporting (ACA, EEO, FLSA).
• Manage background screenings, workers' compensation, and unemployment claims.
  

Talent Acquisition and Onboarding

• Execute full-cycle recruiting: job postings, screening, and value-based interviewing.
• Coordinate and manage interviews.
• Own onboarding, 30/60/90-day plans, and offboarding procedures.
  

Employee Relations and Culture

• Serve as a confidential resource and coach for employees and managers.
• Coach managers on people issues, feedback, and performance.
• Handle employee relations concerns and workplace investigations with fairness and care.
• Support a positive, mission-aligned culture built on our core values.
  

HR Operations and Systems

• Own HR systems and keep them running smoothly.
• Build simple, repeatable processes and clear documentation so the HR function runs consistently.
• Take part in our EOS operating rhythm, including quarterly rocks and weekly L10 meetings.
  

What You Bring

• Three or more years of hands-on HR experience, ideally as a generalist who has worn many hats.
• Working knowledge of payroll, benefits administration, and HR compliance.
• Comfort managing HR systems and learning new platforms quickly.
• Solid understanding of federal employment law; Wyoming or multistate knowledge is a plus.
• Clear, warm, and professional communication, both written and verbal.
• High trust and discretion with confidential information.
• Self-directed and organized, able to run the full HR function with limited oversight.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and AI platforms.
  

Preferred

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.
• Experience as a solo or small-team HR practitioner.
• Experience supporting a multi-entity (multiple EIN) organization.
  

What We Offer

• A free medical option: the Cigna HDHP is fully company-paid for you and your family, with $0 taken from your paycheck.
• $1,000 per year added to your HSA when you choose the HDHP.
• $75,000 in company-paid life insurance at no cost to you.
• Dental and vision coverage.
• A 401(k) with a company match up to 3.5% of pay, fully vested after two years.
• Unlimited PTO for salaried employees, starting on day one.
• Nine paid holidays.
• The chance to shape the people experience at a mission-driven company that changes lives through the skilled trades.
  

Before you Start All offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment Drug Screening and Background check.
It is Western Welding Academy's policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.