HR Specialist

About the role

We are seeking an LA-based HR Specialist to serve as a key player in our growing organization. This role sits at the center of our People Operations, with a primary focus on managing complex payroll operations and benefits administration for a dynamic, high-volume frontline workforce.

Responsibilities

• End-to-End Processing: Oversee and manage the weekly payroll process for a high volume of non-exempt employees in California, validating hours, overtime, differentials, and PTO.

• Exempt Payroll: Reconcile and approve semi-monthly payroll for exempt employees in partnership with our PEO, managing reimbursement processes as needed.

• Compliance Expert: Serve as the subject matter expert on California state wage and hour laws, proactively monitoring changes and ensuring deep adherence.

• Issue Resolution: Partner with operations managers to resolve timekeeping discrepancies and proactively identify/resolve complex payroll data issues.

• Tax & Deductions: Manage the preparation and submission of payroll tax filings, and oversee employee deductions, complex benefit deductions, and garnishments.

• Benefits Administration: Program Management: Administer all employee benefit programs (medical, dental, vision, 401(k), life insurance, FSA/HSA), processing accurate enrollments, changes, and terminations.

• Employee Support: Serve as the primary point of contact for escalated benefits and payroll inquiries, assisting employees with claims and liaising with brokers and carriers.

• Open Enrollment: Manage annual open enrollment from initial planning and communication to system configuration and deduction audits.

• Audits & Integrations: Ensure seamless integration between HRIS/Payroll and vendor platforms. Lead internal and external audits (e.g., 401(k), Workers' Comp).

• Onboarding/Employee Relations/HRIS administration: Onboarding & Offboarding: Facilitate new hire paperwork, conduct HR orientations, and coordinate offboarding procedures (exit interviews, final paperwork).

• Employee Relations & Support: Provide guidance on HR policies, assist the HR Manager with resolving tier-1 employee relations issues, and support engagement initiatives.

• HR Administration: Maintain clean data across HRIS, timekeeping, and PEO systems. Process routine HR paperwork (new hires, job changes).

• Talent Acquisition & Performance: Occasionally assist with background checks, onboarding, and supporting managers with performance documentation.

Qualifications

• 1-2+ years of HR/People Operations experience.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or Business Administration.

• Strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and comfort handling highly sensitive employee data.

• A low-ego, service-oriented mindset with the agility to pivot between high-level payroll strategy and routine HR administrative tasks.

• Clear, friendly communication skills with the ability to build trust quickly across all levels of the organization.

Pay

Compensation Range: $65K - $75K