Senior Human Resources Specialist

 Department: Administration / Human Resources
Reports To: Executive Director
Status: Full-Time, Exempt, 30 Hours per week
Location: Oakland, CA (Hybrid eligible; majority onsite presence required)

Position Summary

The Senior Human Resources Specialist serves as the sole HR professional for our $3m nonprofit arts education organization. This role is responsible for the full range of human resources functions, including employee relations and engagement, labor relations support, compliance, recruitment, onboarding, performance management, benefits administration, and policy development.

As the organization’s HR generalist and subject matter expert, the Senior HR Specialist provides strategic guidance to leadership while managing day-to-day HR operations. This role requires strong judgment, discretion, and experience navigating labor relations in a unionized or union-organizing environment. The position blends operational execution with advisory responsibility and plays a critical role in maintaining a compliant, equitable, and mission-aligned workplace culture.

The selected candidate will receive structured onboarding and advisory support for several months from a senior HR executive with extensive labor relations experience. This transition support is designed to ensure stability and long-term success in a unionized environment.

 Core Responsibilities Human Resources Operations (35%)

• Administer all core HR functions, including onboarding, offboarding, employee records, and HRIS management
• Provide HR dashboards and data reporting for Executive Director and leadership team
• Ensure compliance with federal, state (California), and local employment laws
• Manage employee handbook updates and policy documentation
• Oversee benefits administration, open enrollment, and employee communications
• Maintain accurate employee files and documentation and any HR reporting systems
• Coordinate payroll-related HR input in collaboration with Finance
• Utilize and maintain HRIS system proficiently, ensuring quality process and fully leveraging system features as aligned with mission, and stakeholder needs 

Labor Relations & Employee Relations (25%)

• Serve as HR liaison in unionized or union-organizing environments
• Support leadership in collective bargaining preparation and contract administration
• Interpret and apply collective bargaining agreement (CBA) provisions
• Advise management on grievance handling, investigations, and progressive discipline
• Maintain documentation related to labor matters and employee disputes
• Promote proactive conflict resolution and compliance
• Ensure practices and policies are aligned with support and engagement of staff 
• Maintain effective working relationship with union representatives

Recruitment & Talent Management (15%)

• Manage full-cycle recruitment processes
• Develop job descriptions and compensation benchmarking
• Advise managers on hiring decisions and offer structures
• Lead onboarding processes and ensure compliance documentation
• Support succession planning and workforce development initiatives
• Provide seamless off-boarding process for departing employees

Performance Management & Organizational Development (15%)

• Support managers in performance review processes
• Provide coaching to supervisors on employee development and accountability
• Provide and / or assist in training and professional development initiatives
• Promote and help ensure equity-informed workplace practices

Compliance & Risk Management (10%)

• Monitor compliance with Cal/OSHA, wage-hour laws, leave regulations (FMLA, CFRA), and EDD requirements
• Oversee workers’ compensation claims and workplace safety documentation
• Ensure required labor law postings and reporting are maintained
• Advise  leadership on employment risk exposure

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of progressive HR generalist experience in all areas of HR and People Management
• Experience as a sole HR practitioner or in a nonprofit organization strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience supporting labor relations and/or working in a unionized  environment
• Strong working knowledge of California employment law

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience). HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP, or similar) is preferred.

Required Competencies

• Excellent judgment and discretion with confidential information
• Strong track record of innovative mindset and continuance improvement in service delivery 
• High problem-solving skills 
• Strong knowledge of labor law and contract interpretation
• Ability to advise senior leadership while executing operational tasks
• Ability to analyze People Management process and practices, and suggest improvements and additions 
• Ability to create and maintain strong working relationships and positive engagement with all levels of staff, students, clients and stakeholders 
• Clear written and verbal professional communication skills
• High attention to detail and documentation discipline
• Ability to balance mission sensitivity with compliance requirements

Work Environment

This position requires regular onsite presence to support staff and managers in a hands-on, community-centered arts environment. Hybrid flexibility may be available depending on organizational needs.