Senior Human Resources Generalist

California Western School of Law (CWSL) is seeking an experienced Senior Human Resources Generalist to join its Human Resources team. Reporting to the Executive Director of Human Resources and Operations, this position serves as a key resource for faculty, staff, and student employees, providing expertise across benefits administration, payroll, compliance, employee relations, and talent management. The Senior Human Resources Generalist is responsible for administering and enhancing employee benefit programs, including leave management, workers' compensation, wellness initiatives, COBRA administration, audits, reconciliations, and open enrollment activities, while serving as the primary point of contact for employee benefit inquiries. This position also serves as a backup to payroll processing and supports a broad range of human resources functions, including recruitment, performance management, learning and development, policy administration, and process improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate is a collaborative and service-oriented HR professional with strong analytical skills, payroll experience, and a commitment to fostering an exceptional employee experience while ensuring compliance with applicable federal and state employment laws.

Primary Responsibilities (includes but not limited to):

• Benefits Administration
  • Administer benefit programs, including all reporting, billing reconciliations, audits, COBRA benefits, eligibility orientations, LOAs, workers compensation, open enrollment activities, wellness programs, and compliance and legal issues.
  • Develop, manage, and administer benefit programs, including all reporting, statistical analysis, reconciliations, audits, COBRA benefits, eligibility orientations, LOAs, workers compensation, open enrollment activities, wellness programs, and compliance and legal issues.
  • Act as main contact for benefit questions and concerns.
  • Work with the Senior Director to review and process employee accommodation requests.
  • Work with carriers and brokers on claim issues.
  • Conduct health plan billing and GL reconciliations to ensure all enrollments are up to date. Follow-up with payroll to make deduction and Employer contribution updates in a timely manner.
  • Develop the annual wellness programing to ensure it is within budget. Ensure all programming includes an educational piece. Responsible for monthly wellness newsletter.
  • Assist with the administration of annual benefits' renewal process, including participation in renewal negotiations, and plan and coordinate Open Enrollment meetings and events.
  • Review and approve benefit enrollments in HRIS.
  • Complete annual ACA review for annual reporting.
  • Coordinate ongoing employee education for the 403(b) retirement plan.
• Payroll
  • Assist with student onboarding, timecard review and processing as needed.
  • Act as backup for payroll processing for student and staff payrolls.
  • Assist with the preparation of government surveys (BLS-worksite) and other surveys such as CILE and IPEDS, etc.
  • Assist with the preparation of compensation data for Form 990 at fiscal year end and annual year end.
  • Assists with annual audits, such as Workers' Compensation and 403(b) retirement plan audit, perform internal audits of the I-9s, W-4s, and YTD earnings, etc.
  • Partner with the Business Office to clear general ledger discrepancies.
• Recruiting
  • Assist with recruitment efforts to identify, source, and qualify candidates.
  • Contribute to the development of recruitment strategies, with a focus on candidate outreach.
  • Assist with the development of recruiting materials such as interview questions, presentation prompts, etc.
• Performance/Talent Management
  • Assist with the performance evaluation process, including system updates, goal assignment, and system training.
  • Administer the learning management system and implement ongoing engagement to increase utilization.
  • Assist with the ongoing review and updating of job descriptions.
  • Assist with quarterly supervisor training and other development events.
• Department Support
  • Maintain current knowledge required to assure compliance with federal, state, county regulations concerning all employment related actions.
  • Evaluate current HR department practices and processes and make recommendations for improvement in providing effective and efficient services to our employees and the school.
  • Assist in the administration of all HR policies, procedures and practices ensuring that the school complies with employment, safety, labor relations, EEO, and other state and federal required practices.
  • Assist with providing properly authorized information from personnel or payroll records including verification of employment.
  • Prepare and maintain sensitive and confidential correspondence.
  • Assist with planning and coordination of HR events including arranging facilities, venue, equipment, catering, presentations, announcements, attendance, and materials.
  • Participate in department meetings and other committees, groups, and task forces as assigned.
  • Proactively advise the Executive Director of project status, potential issues, and overall work progress.
  • Work collaboratively in the organization and in planning for process improvement initiatives within the HR department.
  • Perform, with a team approach, other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related area.
• Must have at least 7 years' experience with Human Resources with at least 4 years in a professional role.
• Payroll processing experience is required.
• Must be familiar with Federal/State laws such as ACA, FMLA, CFRA and CA Disability.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
• At least 1 (one) year of experience in recruiting and/or performance management preferred.
• Experience administering worker's compensation a plus.
• Experience with LMS administration a plus.
• Experience in Higher Education preferred.
• Experience with Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) preferred. Familiarity with ADP Workforce Now is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability and interest in working with a highly diverse student and employee population.
• Effective time management skills, organizational skills, analytical and problem-solving ability, strong process orientation, project management skills and flexibility.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize with the appropriate level of urgency.
• Highly proficient at managing multiple priorities and accomplishing simultaneous demands while maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills are essential.
• Professional attire and presentation are required.

Computer Skills:

• Intermediate level computer skills.
• Experience in word processing is essential.
• Advanced experience in Microsoft Office Suite, including MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint required.
• Advanced proficiency with formulas, creating macros and charts, and managing data.
• Knowledge and proficiency in social media essential.
• General Internet skills are essential.
• Knowledge of effective internet search properties.
• Familiarity with website management, electronic communication and database systems, data analysis and interpretation.
• Familiarity with HRIS and Payroll processing systems are a plus.
• Aptitude for learning new technology.

Compensation: $72,000.00 - $90,000.00 Annual Salary

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for this role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The higher end of the range will be considered for well qualified candidates. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the law school reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the law school anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity and budget.

The law school offers competitive benefits for eligible employees, including, but not limited to:

• Generous employer contribution for Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (depending on which plan/level the employee elects).
• 403(b) Employer Retirement contribution of 8% (up to 8k per year) Fully and immediately vested.
• Company Paid Life and AD&D Insurance.
• Paid Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• Flexible Spending Plan.
• Paid Fall and Winter Breaks
• Additional 10+ Paid Holidays
• Accrued Paid Time Off
• Wellness Programs

Perks:

• Little Italy/Downtown location for convenient access to great restaurants and after-hour activities.
• Free on-campus parking facilities provided.
• Employee engagement events are held both virtually and on-campus.
• On-Campus Convenience Store.
• Complimentary bottomless Specialty Coffee.
• Use of on-campus Law Library facilities.

Resume, Cover Letter Required.

APPLY NOW

Complete an application through the CWSL Career Center website at or visit our website at CWSL.edu and search Current Job Openings.

About us:

Established in 1924, CWSL is an ABA accredited and AALS member, non-profit law school located in downtown San Diego, California. CWSL has the distinction of being San Diego's oldest law school. CWSL is the recipient of numerous community service awards, including the State Bar of California President's Pro Bono Service Award, and the federal government's President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. The law school is also home to numerous outstanding programs, including the Innocence and Justice Clinic, Community Law Project, and New Media Rights Program. The faculty are dedicated to teaching, research, and service to the community. Detailed information is available at

California Western School of Law is committed to using the law to prevent and solve human and societal problems. In conjunction with our mission - to train ethical, competent, and compassionate lawyers, representative of our diverse society and equipped to use the law effectively and creatively on behalf of all members of society - we value a rich diversity among our students, alumni, faculty, and staff, as well as in the larger communities of which we are a part.

The law school is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to excellence through diversity. The law school provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities upon request.