HR Specialist (San Diego, CA)

The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is currently hiring for a full-time, hourly, non-exempt and benefited, HR Specialist at our Miramar location.

ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK
Established in 1977, the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is a critical component to the welfare of San Diego County, providing nutritious food to people in need, advocating for the hungry and educating the public about hunger-related issues. For more information about the organization, please visit



OUR MISSION:
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and our North County Food Bank Chapter provide nutritious food to people in need, advocate for the hungry, and educate the public about hunger-related issues.



DID YOU KNOW?

• The San Diego Food Bank feeds approximately 400,000 people every month in partnership with 450 nonprofit community partners.
• We are the fourth largest independent food bank in the country.
• We distributed 52 million pounds of food in fiscal year 2024-2025; almost 45% of that food being fresh produce.
• We have a 99% rating on Charity Navigator.

We are committed to innovation and sustainability to reduce our impact on the environment. We have 1,400 solar panels, we are LEED v4 Gold Certified, we have a 3,600 sq. ft composting and recycling center that houses our recycling and composting machine and received the 2020 Business Waste Reduction & Recycling award.



POSITION PURPOSE
Under the direct supervision of the Human Resources Manager, the Human Resources Specialist supports the coordination of HR activities and daily operations while providing administrative support to the Human Resources department and ensuring efficient office operations. This role places a strong emphasis on core HR functions, including payroll administration, employee records, documentation management and benefits administration. In addition, the Human Resources Specialist is responsible for front desk operations, creating a professional and welcoming environment for employees, visitors, clients, and vendors. By combining HR responsibilities with general administrative support, this position plays a vital role in supporting the HR team and maintaining smooth day-to-day office operations.



PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this position. All duties are expected to be performed in accordance with existing company policy and procedure. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.



Human Resources & Administrative Support

• Provide administrative support to the HR Department, including assisting with recruitment, onboarding, and employee documentation.
• Maintain and update employee records in compliance with HR policies and regulations, ensuring all documentation is accurate, up-to-date, and properly filed.
• Assist with benefits administration, including coordination of open enrollment, updates to employee benefits, and communication with employees regarding HR policies.
• Support HR in processing new hires, including scheduling interviews, preparing materials for employee orientation, and ensuring completion of all required paperwork.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive HR-related information with discretion and professionalism.

Payroll & Benefits Support

• Analyze, prepare, and process payroll and expense reports for 120+ employees.
• Ensure accurate payroll processing by reviewing timecards, tracking employee leave and verifying payroll data prior to submission.
• Maintain payroll records and respond to employee payroll-related inquiries.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local wage and hour laws and regulations.
• Manage benefits enrollments and changes within HRIS systems and Principal, including updates to 403(b) plan contributions and employer matching.
• Conduct audits of payroll and benefits data to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Assist with the annual open enrollment process and employee benefits communications.
• Maintain proper file retention and recordkeeping for payroll and benefits documentation.

Front Desk & Office Operations

• Serve as the first point of contact for visitors, including employees, clients, and vendors, ensuring excellent customer service and a welcoming office environment.
• Answer, screen, and direct calls to the appropriate departments or individuals, ensuring clear communication and professionalism.
• Manage front desk activities, including greeting guests, managing deliveries, and ensuring a positive and organized atmosphere.
• Handle confidential and non-confidential matters, including customer complaints, using sound independent judgment and discretion.

Communication & Collaboration

• Facilitate smooth office processes and communication between the main office and food bank warehouse locations.
• Cultivate and maintain professional relationships with clients, partners, and vendors, ensuring positive and welcoming interactions.
• Contribute to enhancing the organization's reputation and staff morale through professional communication and positive engagement.

Miscellaneous Administrative Support

• Assist with various office-related projects as assigned, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability.
• Provide general administrative support to the management team, including data entry, document preparation, and photocopying.
• Help maintain filing systems and organize office documentation for easy retrieval and compliance with retention policies.
• Perform other administrative duties as required by the organization.

IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate for the Human Resources Specialist role will possess a strong combination of administrative and HR skills, including exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational abilities, and excellent communication skills. This individual will thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and consistently demonstrate professionalism in handling both HR and administrative responsibilities. The ideal candidate will also be a proactive team player who is eager to support the HR department and contribute to the overall success of the organization.



EDUCATION, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE
A typical way of obtaining the necessary education, training, and experience for this position includes:

• Graduation from high school or G.E.D equivalent or equivalent combination of training and experience that obtains the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined below.
• 1-2 years of payroll and/or HR experience.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Operate telephone systems, including answering, screening, and directing calls.
• Use Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) or equivalent software, with the ability to quickly learn new systems and tools.
• Operate standard office equipment such as computers, printers, and fax machines.
• Support HR administrative functions, including recruitment, onboarding, employee documentation, benefits administration, and HR compliance.
• Assist with payroll processes, ensuring accuracy and adherence to established procedures.
• Apply customer service principles and best practices in daily interactions.
• Perform basic troubleshooting for office equipment and connectivity issues.
• Maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive HR and payroll information.
• Support supply management and inventory tracking processes .

ABILITY TO:

• Handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism, particularly in HR and payroll matters.
• Coordinate office supply inventory and manage ordering to ensure adequate stock levels.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with internal teams, external vendors, and clients to support HR and administrative operations.
• Adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment while balancing HR and administrative responsibilities.
• Contribute to a positive workplace environment by delivering professional and service-oriented interactions that support staff morale and the organization's reputation.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills while managing multiple HR and administrative tasks simultaneously.
• Maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail in payroll, employee records, HR documentation, and office inventory.
• Apply problem-solving skills to address employee and customer inquiries, particularly related to HR and payroll matters.
• Maintain a customer-focused approach when handling visitor interactions, employee inquiries, and external communications.
• Remain flexible and proactive in responding to shifting priorities and operational needs.
• Work collaboratively within HR and administrative teams to support overall departmental effectiveness.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Fluent in Spanish / English preferred.

COMPENSATION
This is a full-time, non-exempt/hourly/benefited position.

• A market-level competitive salary is between $27.00 - $29.00 per hour based on experience.
• The compensation package includes a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package including: 403(b) plan with 200% employer matching; excellent health care coverage with free employee medical, dental and vision plans; company paid term life insurance; and a generous accrual of paid vacation and sick leave.

WORK SCHEDULE

• Monday - Friday from 8:00am - 4:30pm.
• This position rarely requires OT, weekend shifts, or long hours.
• This position is not required to travel.

HOW TO APPLY

• Interested and qualified candidates should apply below.
• Submissions missing a resume will not be considered for the position.
• Background check and drug test are required for the position before employment starts.

This is a non-management position
This is a regular full-time position