Human Resources Specialist

About the Role

St. Catherine’s School seeks a committed, solutions‑oriented part‑time Human Resources Specialist to support daily HR operations. The specialist will manage recruitment, onboarding, employee records, and regulatory compliance, including Virginia Department of Education Child Day Center Licensing requirements. The role also serves as the primary backup for payroll processing and provides customer service throughout the employment lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Recruitment & Talent Acquisition: Coordinate full‑cycle onboarding for faculty, staff, and seasonal positions; develop and post job advertisements on platforms such as Workable, NAIS, VAIS, NAES; act as backup for drafting employment contracts and offer letters; maintain candidate tracking spreadsheets; partner with division heads to identify staffing needs and improve recruitment strategies.
• Employee Onboarding: Coordinate pre‑employment requirements including background checks, Form I‑9 verification, and required documentation; ensure completion of employment forms, acknowledgements, and benefit enrollments for processing by Payroll and Benefits Manager; arrange technology, building access, and new‑hire setup with internal departments; serve as a resource for new employees during their transition.
• Compliance & Child Day Center Licensing: Maintain compliance with Virginia Department of Education Child Day Center Licensing regulations related to personnel records and staff qualifications; monitor background checks, fingerprinting, child abuse registry searches, staff health forms, and other licensing requirements; track employee certifications, annual trainings, and professional development; maintain documentation for licensing inspections and audits; stay current on applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and licensing requirements.
• Human Resources Administration: Maintain accurate, confidential employee personnel files (electronic and paper); report and document employee status changes, promotions, transfers, salary adjustments, and separations; maintain HRIS data and ensure record accuracy; assist with benefits enrollment during open enrollment and throughout the year.
• Payroll Support: Serve as backup for payroll processing; ensure payroll records are accurate and maintained per established procedures; assist employees with payroll‑related questions.
• General Responsibilities: Maintain strict confidentiality of employee information; assist with HR reporting, audits, and special projects; recommend process improvements to increase efficiency and enhance employee service.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred, or three or more years of progressively responsible HR experience.
• Experience in recruitment and onboarding required.
• Experience supporting payroll processes preferred.
• Experience in a school or nonprofit environment preferred.
• Some knowledge of Virginia Department of Education Child Day Center Licensing regulations strongly preferred.
• HR certification (SHRM‑CP, SHRM‑SCP, PHR, or equivalent) preferred but not required.
• Proficiency in Google Suite/Microsoft Office, including spreadsheets.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently or as part of a team.
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, professionalism, and confidentiality.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The role requires sitting, standing, walking, using hands to grasp and handle objects, reaching, climbing stairs, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, talking, hearing, and moderate physical activity both indoors and outdoors. Occasionally, the employee may lift or move up to 50 pounds. Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and focus adjustment. The employee must be able to become CPR and First Aid certified.

Schedule

Part‑time, 12‑month schedule with a standard work week of 8:00 am – 12:00 pm, flexible.