People and Culture Specialist 9/2026

Exciting Career Opportunity Available Now!

Schedule: Tuesday through Saturday, any time between 8 AM and 5 PM, and occasional evenings for events.

This position is onsite.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Employment Status: Full-Time

Location: Santa Barbara, California

Hourly Wage: $32.00 - 35.00 per hour, DOE

Are you a seasoned Human Resources (HR) Specialist ready to embark on a rewarding journey with our passionate team? 

Are you a people-centric professional with a knack for organizational tasks, adept at leveraging technology and social media, possessing meticulous attention to detail, and fueled by a genuine passion for Wildlife and Conservation? 

If you are skilled at crafting seamless orientation and onboarding experiences that pave the way for success, then we have the perfect role for you!

Join us as a People and Culture Specialist, and play a pivotal role in attracting, retaining, and supporting a high-performing team dedicated to our impactful mission.

At the heart of our strategic priorities is having a dynamic team while having fun along the way.  To support this, we're actively implementing plans to enhance the well-being of our staff and empower individuals to make meaningful contributions. 

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to make a meaningful impact with us! Apply now and let's embark on this exciting journey together.

SUMMARY:

Our people are key to achieving our mission. We need to attract, recruit, support and retain a high performing, highly engaged workforce committed to learning and making a positive impact.

The People & Culture Specialist serves a human resources generalist, supports HR operations, and the employee lifecycle by enhancing talent acquisition, onboarding, employee engagement, learning and development, internal communications, and culture-building initiatives. Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, this position plays a key role in creating a positive and inclusive employee experience while supporting organizational goals related to attraction, development, engagement, and retention of talent.

The People & Culture Specialist collaborates with leaders and employees across the organization to coordinate programs and initiatives that foster a culture of belonging, learning, recognition, wellness, and professional growth, while also providing some HR support.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES include the following:

Talent Acquisition Support

• Support recruitment activities, including attending job and career fairs, job postings, applicant communication, interview scheduling, and candidate correspondence
• Coordinate hiring logistics and maintain applicant tracking records
• Assist with candidate experience initiatives to ensure a welcoming and professional recruitment process
• Partner with hiring managers to coordinate recruitment activities and support candidate selection and hiring processes.

Onboarding & Orientation

• Coordinate new hire onboarding activities and employee orientation programs
• Prepare onboarding materials, schedules, systems access requests, and training resources
• Conduct and ensure a positive and engaging onboarding experience for new employees
• Conduct follow-up activities to evaluate onboarding effectiveness

Employee Experience & Engagement

• Track and analyze key employee experience metrics and provide recommendations to improve recruitment, onboarding, engagement, retention, recognition, wellness, and learning initiatives.
• Assist in the development and administration of employee engagement initiatives and programs
• Coordinate employee events, celebrations, appreciation activities, and team-building opportunities
• Support employee surveys and engagement assessments and assist with action planning
• Promote a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and belonging

Recognition Programs

• Coordinate employee recognition initiatives that celebrate achievements, milestones, and organizational values
• Monitor participation and recommend enhancements to recognition programs

Learning & Development

• Coordinate leadership development, management training, and learning opportunities
• Assist with training logistics, registrations, attendance tracking, and program evaluation
• Maintain learning resources and educational materials
• Support organizational learning initiatives and professional development programs

Career Development Support

• Assist employees and managers in accessing career development resources and opportunities
• Support talent development initiatives, succession planning activities, and internal mobility efforts
• Maintain development tools, learning content, and tracking systems

Internal Communications

• Support People & Talent communications to employees
• Draft and distribute communications regarding programs, events, training opportunities, and organizational initiatives
• Assist in maintaining People & Talent content on internal communication platforms

Wellness Initiatives

• Coordinate employee wellness programs and activities
• Promote employee well-being resources and participation in wellness initiatives
• Assist with wellness-related events and educational opportunities

 

Diversity, Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion (DEAI)

• Support initiatives that foster an inclusive workplace culture, equitable employee experiences, accessibility, and employee belonging.
• Assist in promoting inclusive workplace practices and employee engagement efforts
• Participate in the coordination and communication of DEAI-related activities

 

Administrative, HR Systems, and Reporting 

• Assist with maintaining compliance related to employee records, required notices, trainings, onboarding documentation, and applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Maintain and update HRIS records to ensure employee data accuracy.
• Generate reports and metrics related to recruiting, onboarding, engagement, training, turnover, and workforce initiatives.
• Escalate employee relations concerns, policy interpretation questions, and workplace issues to the Director of Human Resources as appropriate.
• HR Data & Reporting

o   Recruiting metrics

o   Turnover reporting

o   Training participation reporting

o   Survey analytics

• HR Systems

o    HRIS data maintenance

o    ATS administration

o    LMS administration

• Assist with special projects and other duties as assigned

 

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required Education

• Associate degree required; Bachelor's degree preferred or Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Preferred Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or a related discipline

Required Experience

• Minimum of 4 years of professional experience in Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Employee Experience, Learning and Development, or other related field
• Experience coordinating programs, events, training sessions, or employee engagement initiatives
• Experience managing multiple projects and deadlines in a dynamic work environment.

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting recruitment and onboarding processes
• Experience working in a nonprofit, educational, hospitality, cultural institution, or mission-driven organization
• Experience coordinating development, wellness, or employee recognition programs

 

Preferred Certifications

• SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or Professional in Human Resources (PHR)
• Certificate in Learning & Development, Organizational Development, Talent Management, or related discipline
• CA Driver’s License in good standing preferred

 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of fundamental human resources practices and employee experience programs
• High discretion, judgment, and emotional intelligence. Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion
• Strong working knowledge of California labor laws
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to build positive working relationships across all levels of an organization
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through
• Ability to prioritize competing responsibilities and meet deadlines
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment and to foster collaboration across diverse teams and stakeholders
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, conservation values, and institutional integrity
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace
• Ability to work Tuesday through Saturday, any time between 8 AM and 5 PM, and occasional evenings for events

 

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Familiarity with applicant tracking systems (ATS), learning management systems (LMS), and HRIS platforms.
• Knowledge of employee engagement, recognition, wellness, and culture-building best practices.
• Demonstrate a high level of customer service, professionalism, responsiveness, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience creating internal communications and employee-facing materials.
• Understanding of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion principles and practices.
• Experience with survey platforms, employee feedback tools, and reporting metrics.

 

Physical Requirements & Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, and use a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to work successfully in a shared open environment with constant interruptions.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to move throughout the worksite and event locations as needed.
• Ability to attend occasional early morning, evening, or weekend events.
• Ability to attend Job Fairs and career events off-site.

·         Work is performed in a professional office and outdoor environment. This position may require occasional attendance at employee events, training programs, meetings, and organizational functions.

·         Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

 

Tools Used:

·         Personal Computer, platforms, and software (MS365 Suite, Paylocity HRIS, CollaborNation LMS, CareerPlug ATS/Onboarding, Zoom, Teams, and more)

·         Communication and collaboration platforms (email, messaging, video conferencing).

·         Two-way Radio

·         Standard office equipment: telephone, copier, facsimile machine, calculator, and others as required

·         Automotive Vehicle to drive to/from Job Fairs and Career Events

 

Please make sure to check your spam folder if you do not see an email response from the Zoo.

The Zoo reserves the right to revise this job description at any time.  The job description does not constitute a contract for employment, and does not guarantee employment for any specified period of time.  The job description does not in any way alter the at-will employment relationship.

 

The Santa Barbara Zoo is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas.

Compensation: $32.00 - $35.00 per hour

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Do you love animals and working with people? Join the fun, caring, friendly, and energetic team at the Santa Barbara Zoo in our mission of preservation, conservation, and enhancement of the natural world and its living treasures through education, research, and recreation.

Once you apply, please make sure to check your spam folder if you do not see an email response from the Zoo.

The Santa Barbara Zoo is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and is a fully accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Known as one of the world’s most beautiful zoos, it is located on 30 acres of lush botanic gardens overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is home to more than 146 animal species living in open, naturalistic habitats. Our wonderful collaborative team includes up to 220 employees and 50 volunteers.