HR Generalist

JOB SUMMARY: The DeWitt Companies, a leader in transportation and logistics, is seeking a Human Resources Generalist to run our day-to-day HR operations including hiring staff, onboarding and new hire orientation, benefits administration, employee relations, compliance audits, leave administration, and enforcing company policies and practices. Based at our San Diego headquarters, and supporting all locations including California, Hawaii, and Guam. This position will report to the San Diego HR Manager. Monthly single-day travel to our City of Industry, CA site is required. The ideal candidate has a drive to learn and grow, is an experienced hands-on expert in multi-state compliance and DOT regulations, with strong administrative and organizational skills, who can multi-task and work in a fast paced, high impact environment. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Talent Acquisition & Onboarding: Manage full cycle recruiting coordination for roles across all locations, including job posting, interview scheduling, offer generation, and background checks. Own and facilitate the new hire orientation and onboarding program for San Diego and City of Industry, while ensuring a consistent and compliant framework is applied to all locations. Facilitate the new hire orientation and onboarding program for Hawaii and Guam when needed. Conduct employment eligibility verifications (I-9/E-Verify) for all new hires, ensuring strict compliance across all jurisdictions. Total Rewards & Payroll Administration: Serve as the primary HR liaison to payroll for the entire workforce, ensuring the accurate and timely processing of all employment changes, leaves, and compensation adjustments. Administer employee benefits programs, serve as the first point of contact for benefits inquiries, and support the annual open enrollment process for all eligible employees. Maintain data integrity for all employee records within the HRIS - UKG. Multi-State Compliance, Safety & Risk Management: Own and ensure 100% compliance for all DOT (Department of Transportation) Driver Qualification (DQ) files across the organization. Proactively maintain compliance with federal, multi-state (CA, HI), and territorial (Guam), and local employment laws, and regulations, and recommended best practices; reviews policies and practices to maintain compliance. Administer all leaves of absence (FMLA, CFRA, PDL, etc.) for employees in all locations, acting as the key point of contact. Support the administration of Workers’ Compensation programs and reporting. Conduct regular audits of HR files, processes, and practices across all locations to ensure ongoing compliance and audit-readiness. Employee Relations & Performance Management: Conduct thorough, objective, and documented investigations into employee relations concerns across the company. Handle employment-related inquiries from applicants, employees, and supervisors, referring complex and/or sensitive matters to management. Provide expert guidance and coaching to managers in all locations on performance management, corrective action, conflict resolution, and policy application. Support the administration and tracking of the annual performance review process for the entire workforce. Learning, Development & Engagement: Coordinate and facilitate mandatory employee training programs (e.g., Harassment Prevention, DOT Compliance) across relevant locations. Support the deployment and communication of HR programs focused on employee engagement, recognition, and retention. Partner with managers to identify and support local training and development needs. Strategic HR Operations & Partnership: Travel monthly to the City of Industry, CA location to provide on-site HR support, and address local operational needs. Act as a strategic HR partner to operations leaders across all locations, aligning people practices with business objectives. Analyze HR metrics and prepare reports to inform leadership decisions and strategy. Continuously identify and lead improvements to HR processes, policies, and service delivery to enhance efficiency and scalability across the organization. Performs other duties as assigned. Maintains knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law. Required Skills / Abilities Required: Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations. Required: Demonstrated, practical knowledge of multi-state (HI & CA) and territorial (Guam) employment laws and regulations. The ability to research, interpret, and apply regulations across jurisdictions is essential. Required: Proven experience ensuring compliance with DOT (Department of Transportation) regulations and managing Driver Qualification (DQ) files. Demonstrated ability to serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner, building strong cross-functional relationships across all levels of a distributed organization. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex policies and sensitive matters with clarity, tact, and professionalism. Exceptional interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills. Superior organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail, with a proven ability to manage high-volume, high compliance workstreams and meet deadlines. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with sound judgment to know when to act independently and when to escalate. Unquestionable integrity, professionalism, and a proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) HRIS, and other ATS platforms; demonstrated agility in learning and utilizing new technology systems. Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required. At least 5 years of human resource experience preferred. Experience executing HR compliance processes across multiple U.S. states. SHRM-CP or PHR preferred. Preferred Qualifications Experience in transportation, logistics, warehousing, trucking, or another highly regulated, safety-focused industry. Proven exposure to audit readiness and cross-functional compliance efforts (e.g., DOT, SOX, Workers' Comp, or safety audits). Hands-on proficiency with UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) HRIS for core HR, payroll, and timekeeping functions. Experience supporting multi-site, hybrid, and field-based workforces, with a strong understanding of the unique HR challenges in a distributed operations environment. SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification. Physical & Other Requirements Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times. Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities. Must be able to successfully pass a drug test and criminal background check. Must be able to meet MVR requirements per our policy. Benefits Health Care 401k with Match PTO, two weeks for first-year employees 11 paid holidays yearly FSA and Supplemental Benefits EAP (Employee Assistance Programs) Equal Opportunity Employer - Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled $70,000 to $75,000 Annual Salary #J-18808-Ljbffr