HR Compliance Manager (CA)

Moon Valley Nurseries•Riverside, CA

4d•$95,000 - $120,000

About The Position

The HR Compliance Manager is responsible for supporting organizational compliance with California and federal employment laws, with a strong emphasis on wage and hour regulations, internal reviews, and regulatory risk mitigation. This role partners closely with HR, Legal, Payroll, and Operations to develop, implement, and monitor compliant practices across the employee lifecycle. The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of California labor laws, strong analytical skills, and a proactive, detail-oriented approach to compliance.

Requirements

5–8+ years of HR experience with a strong focus on California compliance.
Current, active HR credential required (e.g., PHR, SPHR, PHRca, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, and/or additional SHRM California Law HR Specialty Credential designations or equivalent).
Deep knowledge of California wage and hour laws and employment regulations.
Experience conducting HR compliance internal reviews (I-9, wage/hour, personnel files).
Strong understanding of federal employment laws (FLSA, FMLA, ADA, IRCA).
High attention to detail and strong analytical/problem-solving skills.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
Successfully communicate and influence the business on required changes.
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience).

Nice To Haves

Additional HR certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, PHR, additional designations).
Experience supporting multi-state employers, with California as primary jurisdiction.
Familiarity with HRIS/payroll systems and compliance tracking tools.
Experience working with legal counsel or regulatory agencies.

Responsibilities

Wage & Hour Compliance Interpret, apply and monitor compliance with California wage and hour laws (e.g., overtime, meal and rest periods, reporting time pay, split shifts, regular rate of pay).
Conduct regular internal reviews of payroll practices, timekeeping systems, and employee classifications (exempt vs. non-exempt).
Partner with Payroll and HRIS teams to ensure accurate calculation of wages, bonuses, and premiums.
Investigate and resolve wage-related complaints, including missed breaks, off-the-clock work, and pay discrepancies.
Monitor and implement changes related to evolving CA labor laws and Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC) Wage Orders.
Train leaders on compliance related requirements.
Lead internal HR compliance reviews (wage/hour, personnel files, I-9s, leaves of absence, onboarding/offboarding, talent acquisition).
Identify compliance gaps and develop corrective action plans.
Maintain documentation and ensure readiness for external agency reviews (e.g., DLSE, DOL, USCIS).
Track and report key compliance metrics and trends to leadership.
Oversee Form I-9 completion, reverification, and retention processes.
Conduct periodic internal I-9 reviews and correct errors in accordance with DHS guidelines.
Ensure compliance with E-Verify (where applicable) and federal immigration requirements.
Maintain secure and compliant recordkeeping practices.
Manage required California training programs (e.g., harassment prevention, workplace violence prevention, safety training).
Track training completion and maintain records for compliance purposes.
Partner with human resources team to develop and deliver compliance-related training content.
Ensure workplace postings and notices are current and compliant.
Administer and review compliance with FMLA, CFRA, PDL, ADA, and other state/local leave laws.
Partner with benefits and HR teams to ensure proper designation, tracking, and communication of leave entitlements.
Monitor overlapping leave laws and ensure accurate application.
Partner with HR leadership and Legal to review policies and ensure alignment with regulatory requirements.
Communicate policy changes and ensure consistent application across the organization.