Human Resources (HR) Manager

We are looking for an experienced Human Resources (HR) Manager to join a public sector organization in Salinas, California on a Contract basis through the end of December, with possible extension. This position will provide hands-on support across employee relations, onboarding, recruitment, leave administration, and day-to-day HR operations for a busy workforce. The ideal candidate brings strong knowledge of California employment practices, confidence handling workplace concerns, and the ability to guide managers and employees through complex HR matters.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a primary HR resource for employee relations matters, including addressing complaints, supporting investigations, and advising leaders on appropriate next steps.
• Oversee onboarding activities for new hires, ensuring required documentation, orientation steps, and a smooth transition into the organization.
• Manage leave-related processes and coordinate compliance with applicable federal and California regulations, accommodations, and workers’ compensation matters.
• Support recruiting efforts from opening requisitions through candidate selection, offer coordination, pre-employment steps, and onboarding processing.
• Provide practical guidance to employees and supervisors on HR policies, workplace expectations, and employment-related procedures.
• Maintain accurate personnel records and HR data within designated systems while helping ensure regulatory compliance and audit readiness.
• Partner with leadership on performance-related concerns, employee development efforts, and HR initiatives that strengthen the workplace environment.
• Use HR technology platforms such as Paylocity and Yardi to support reporting, employee information management, and administrative workflow efficiency.
• At least 5 years of human resources experience in roles such as HR Manager, HR Generalist, or HR Specialist.
• Demonstrated strength in employee relations, including handling workplace complaints and supporting issue resolution.
• Working knowledge of California employment law and current HR compliance requirements.
• Experience in unionized environments.
• Proficiency with Paylocity is required.
• Familiarity with HRIS platforms and employee data management; Yardi experience is preferred.
• Strong communication, judgment, and problem-solving skills when working with employees, managers, and sensitive information.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred.