HR Support Specialist

Sunshine Schools•Winterville, NC

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The HR Support Specialist manages HR functions including benefits administration, payroll, onboarding and offboarding, employee relations, training and development, compliance with North Carolina labor laws and federal regulations, and COBRA compliance. The position requires a self-directed, proactive, highly organized HR professional who can independently manage multiple HR functions while supporting recruiting needs. The role reports directly to the Executive Director for HR matters and to the CEO and CFO for finance matters. All hires and terminations require CEO pre-approval. The position supports leadership and Site Administrators, maintains accurate staff and student files, and uses BambooHR to document every HR-related action. The job description is not all-inclusive; duties may change, and employees may be expected to support other teams or operational needs. Duties may not be altered, redefined, or self-assigned without prior written authorization. This is a full-time, hourly, non-exempt position eligible for overtime under the FLSA and North Carolina Wage & Hour Act. Standard hours are Monday through Friday, up to 40 hours per week. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required. The role is hybrid, based at the corporate office, with onsite work for events, job fairs, center visits, and other needs. Regular travel among Sunshine Schools locations and project sites is required, with occasional statewide travel for job fairs, community engagement, and creative projects. Scheduling is flexible based on company needs, enrollment priorities, and HR deadlines. The position requires maintaining confidentiality, following organizational policies, demonstrating initiative and reliability, completing responsibilities personally unless delegation is approved in writing by the CEO, CFO, or Executive Director, and communicating professionally with staff and leadership. Sunshine Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and organizational need, without discrimination on protected grounds.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
At least 3 years of HR management experience; educational or childcare setting experience is preferred.
In-depth knowledge of early childhood education credentials.
In-depth knowledge of North Carolina labor laws and COBRA regulations.
Strong understanding of HR best practices, including benefits administration, payroll processing, and employee relations.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information professionally.
Highly organized, proactive, and self-directed.
Strong time-management skills and ability to manage multiple HR functions.
Proficiency with HRIS systems, specifically BambooHR, and Google Workspace.
Ability to work standard hours Monday through Friday, up to 40 hours per week, with occasional evening or weekend work as required.
Ability to travel regularly among school locations and project sites, including occasional statewide travel.

Nice To Haves

HR certification such as SHRM-CP or PHR.
Experience in an educational or childcare setting.

Responsibilities

Screen applicants daily and follow up immediately.
Schedule in-person second interviews unless an exception is approved in advance.
Complete hiring paperwork before employees’ first day and enter information into BambooHR promptly.
Maintain accurate staff and student files, HRIS records, licensing documentation, and compliance records.
Manage benefits enrollment, changes, and terminations; ensure COBRA compliance and timely communication.
Process payroll accurately and on time, and maintain payroll records and adjustments.
Oversee onboarding and conduct offboarding procedures, including exit documentation.
Address employee concerns professionally and confidentially, document employee-relations matters, and escalate issues immediately to the Executive Director.
Ensure HR practices comply with North Carolina labor laws and federal regulations.
Keep job descriptions and job postings accurate and current, support recruiting, coordinate screenings and interviews, and build a strong candidate pool.
Prepare HR documents, letters, and reports.
Provide weekly HR updates to the Executive Director and support the CEO and CFO with finance-related HR reporting.
Respond promptly to HR and finance requests and track open tasks and deadlines.
Partner with the Executive Director, CEO, and CFO, and support Site Administrators with hiring and documentation.
Use BambooHR to document HR-related actions, including payroll issues, employee relations and complaints, onboarding, job postings, phone screenings, interview scheduling, CEO-approved hiring, terminations, attendance issues, call-offs, policy violations, coaching conversations, corrective actions, licensing updates, staff-file audits, and communications with Site Administrators and leadership.
Maintain confidentiality, adhere to organizational policies, demonstrate initiative and follow-through, and communicate professionally.
Complete assigned responsibilities personally unless written delegation approval is provided by the CEO, CFO, or Executive Director.
Travel among Sunshine Schools locations and project sites, and attend onsite events, job fairs, center visits, or other activities as needed.