HR and Payroll Specialist

HR and Payroll Specialist

Location: Running Springs, CA (Onsite)

About Pali Mountain

Nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains between Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear, Pali Mountain is home to Pali Adventures, an overnight summer camp; Pali Institute, an outdoor education program; and Pali Retreat, a year-round mountain retreat and conference center. Our 274-acre campus features modern accommodations, meeting spaces, and a state-of-the-art dining hall capable of serving groups of up to 700 guests.

Position Overview

The HR and Payroll Specialist partners closely with the HR Director to support the daily operations of the Human Resources department across all Pali Mountain divisions. This position plays a key role in payroll administration, employee onboarding, benefits administration, compliance, employee relations, and HR operations. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment supporting both year-round and seasonal employees.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll & Benefits Administration

• Process semi-monthly payroll accurately and on time for multiple companies using ADP Workforce Now.
• Review employee time records for accuracy and compliance with California meal andrestbreak requirements.
• Complete payroll reconciliations, journal entries, andassistwith month-end payroll reporting.
• Maintain payroll records and respond to employee payroll questions.
• Administer employee benefits including medical, dental, life, disability insurance, vacation, sick leave, leaves of absence, and employeeassistanceprograms.
• Maintain benefit enrollment records andassistemployees with benefit-related questions.
• Stay current on payroll regulations and employment law affecting payroll administration.

Onboarding & Training

• Ensure new hires are prepared and set up for a smooth onboarding experience.
• Assistwith the trackingcompletion of onboarding paperwork,requiredtrainings, and compliance documents.
• Coordinate weekly new hire onboarding meetings to review HR policies and answer employee questions.
• Assistwith trackingrole-specific certifications, including Food Handler Cards, First Aid/CPR, Lifeguard, and driver eligibility prior to employees beginning work.

Compliance & Personnel Records

• Maintain employee personnel files and HR recordsin accordance withlegal retention requirements.
• Process personnel transactions including new hires, promotions, transfers, compensation changes, performance reviews, and terminations.
• Monitor changes to federal, state, and local employment laws and recommend updates to HR practices.
• Track renewal dates for required certifications, licenses, and compliance documents.
• Maintain HR forms, templates, and department documentation.
• Coordinate background checks, Live Scan fingerprinting, DMV clearances, and other employment screenings.
• Support accreditation-related documentation, including American Camp Association (ACA) standards, as applicable.

Employee Relations

• Assistwith workers' compensation claims, injury reporting, investigations, and OSHA documentation.
• Support administration of employee leaves of absence, including FMLA, CFRA, and other applicable leave programs.
• Assistsupervisors with employee coaching, disciplinary documentation, and performance management.
• Support workplace investigations, employee concerns, and HR compliance matters.
• Coordinate housing-related HR documentation for employees living in company housing.
• Assistwith unemployment claims, exit interviews, and employee offboarding.

HR Operations & Department Support

• Assist the HR Director with department initiatives and special projects.
• Support employee engagement activities and company culture initiatives.
• Coordinate supervisor and management training as assigned.
• Support HRIS maintenance and employee data accuracy.
• Coordinate IT system access for new hires, transfers, and departing employees.
• Generate HR reports and employee statistics for internal use and government reporting.
• Perform other HR and administrative duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience

• 3-5 years of progressive Human Resources experiencerequired.
• Payroll processing experiencerequired.
• Experience supporting multi-location organizations or seasonal workforces preferred.
• Experience in hospitality, outdoor education, camps, recreation, or similar industries preferred.

Skills & Knowledge

• Working knowledge of California and federal employment laws, including wage and hour regulations, leave administration, workers' compensation, and payroll compliance.
• Experience using ADP Workforce Now or comparable HRIS/payroll systems.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, including intermediate to advanced Excel.
• Experience with QuickBooks is a plus.
• Exceptional attention to detail with strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability tomaintainconfidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Dependable, professional, and able to work effectively as part of a team.
• Reliable transportationrequired.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary:$70,304-$70,700 annually, based on experience.
• Status:Full-Time, Exempt, Onsite.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance.
• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave, and Holidays.
• Employee Perks and Discount Programs.

Schedule

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Some schedule flexibility may be required during peak hiring periods, onboarding weeks, and the summer season.

Physical Requirements

• Occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and use a computer for extended periods.
• Able to work onsite in a mountain environment, including occasional outdoor conditions during staff onboarding, training events, and seasonal programs.