Human Resources Specialist I

Human Resources Specialist I - Newport Beach, CA

The HR Specialist provides comprehensive support to employees and management across a broad range of human resources functions, with a primary focus on HR operations support, employee support, HR administration, policy interpretation, compliance, and employee lifecycle support. This role serves as a key resource for employees by addressing general questions and concerns workplace concerns maintaining accurate employee records and ensuring consistent application of company policies and employment practices.

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Essential duties & responsibilities:

• HR Operations & Department Support
• · Primary customer service contact for department; phone calls, HR Mailbox, ticket system
• · Processes, verifies, and maintains employment-related documents, records, and files.
• · Manages HR-related invoices and ensures timely payment processing
• · Compiles and prepares HR metrics, reports, and analytics
• · Assists with policy updates, handbook maintenance, and process improvements.
• · Maintains an attitude and philosophy consistent with the company's standards.
• · Maintains required employment records and assists with audits and reporting requirements
• Employee Support & Administration
• · Provides customer service to employees regarding benefits, leaves of absence, payroll-related inquiries, policies, and other employment matters
• · Monitors and manages HR email and voicemail inboxes and responds or escalates inquiries as appropriate.
• · Maintains accurate and confidential employee files, employment records, and HRIS data
• · Coordinates employee status changes, including new hires, transfers, promotions, compensation changes, and terminations
• · Facilitates the property offboarding process
• · Manages Employee Terminations and Exit Process
• · Manages incoming and outgoing department mail
• · Creates, tracks and manages Employee Separation agreements
• · Manages employee recruiting/background process
• · Assists with the new hire process (Insperity then Paylocity)
• · Prepares employment verification requests, employee correspondence, reports, and other HR documentation
• · Fulfills employee file requests
• · Gathers employee information and date as required for legal and/or Employee relations matters
• · Manages ticketing system and submits I.T. Tickets (End User, Change User, LOA's)
• · Assists with employee communication initiatives and HR-related programs
• Employee Relations
• · Serves as a primary point of contact for general employee questions and/or workplace concerns, through HR Mailbox, ticketing system, phone calls
• · Assists management and employees with interpretation and application of company policies, procedures, and employment practices.
• · Supports employee relations matters by conducting intake meetings, gathering information, documenting concerns, and assisting with investigations.
• · Partners with managers and HR leadership to address performance concerns, workplace conflicts, corrective actions, and employee engagement initiatives.
• · Maintains confidentiality and handles sensitive employee matters with professionalism and discretion.
• · Assists in the administration and documentation of disciplinary actions, performance improvement plans, and employee separations.
• Leave Administration & Compliance
• · Assists with administering leaves of absence, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, workers' compensation coordination, and other protected leaves.
• · Assists with tracking employee leave activity and ensuring required documentation is collected and maintained.
• · Supports compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Performance Management & Employee Engagement
• · Supports annual performance review processes and employee development programs
• · Assist managers with performance documentation and coaching conversations
• · Coordinates employee recognition, engagement, and retention initiatives.
• · Participates in employee surveys and helps identify opportunities to improve the employee experience.

Required competencies and skills:

• Strong customer service, organizational, and time management skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain strict confidentiality
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
• Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and attention to detail
• Ability to build effective working relationships at all levels of the organization

Education and experience:

• 3+ years of related experience and Associate's degree or equivalent from two-year college or technical school, or equivalent combination of education and experience

Other qualifications:

• Paylocity HRIS experience.
• Outlook Email, Calendar and Contact systems experience
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel and Word experience
• Knowledge of local, state and federal employment laws, government regulations and agency rules.
• Knowledge of principles and procedures of Human Resources functions including: recruitment and selection, onboarding, benefits, training, compensation and HRIS systems

Salary range is $60K-$70K (non-exempt). We offer a competitive compensation package that includes a 401(K) match, rental incentive and renewal compensation, bonuses, and rental discounts depending on location. Regular full-time employees who work between 30-40 hours a week are eligible for medical, dental, vision, other voluntary benefits and vacation accrual, Sick time accrual is provided in accordance with law.