Human Resources Assistant

Friendship Shelter•Laguna Woods, CA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Human Resources Assistant supports the employee lifecycle and the effective administration of Human Resources functions at Friendship Shelter, an Orange County nonprofit serving individuals experiencing homelessness. Working closely with the HR Generalist, the assistant coordinates recruitment, onboarding, employee records, benefits administration, employee relations support, and offboarding. The role provides employees and managers with guidance on HR policies and administrative processes and contributes to a positive, inclusive, and engaging workplace rooted in the organization’s values: Compassion & Acceptance, Empowerment & Redemption, Responsibility, Integrity, Creativity & Flexibility, and Community. The position is based at Friendship Shelter’s headquarters in Laguna Woods and is performed in the office five days per week. It involves frequent in-person, phone, and email interactions with employees, managers, and vendors, with occasional local travel to program sites. The employee may spend extended periods standing, walking, bending, stooping, or climbing, as well as sitting and using a computer, and may occasionally lift and carry up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities. This full-time position pays $23.00–$28.00 per hour. It is eligible for FSI’s benefits package, subject to plan eligibility terms, including medical, dental, vision, FSA/HRA, PTO, holidays, and paid sick leave.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
One to three years of experience working in HR, payroll, benefits, or administration preferred; strong candidates with transferable office or customer-service experience are encouraged to apply.
Basic knowledge of California and federal employment requirements, including I-9, FEHA, CFRA, and wage and hour requirements, or a strong willingness to learn.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, especially Excel or Sheets.
Strong organization, attention to detail, and follow-through across multiple deadlines.
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
Warm, clear communication skills and the ability to support employees from diverse backgrounds with empathy.
Desire to be part of a team committed to ending homelessness.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in HR, business, or a related field.
HR certificate or progress toward a PHR, PHR, or SHRM-CP.
Nonprofit or human-services experience.
Experience with an HRIS or payroll system such as Paylocity, ADP, or Paychex.
Bilingual English/Spanish.

Responsibilities

Prepare and send offer and new-hire packets, and track completion of required documents.
Complete Form I-9 verification and E-Verify, if used, within required timelines.
Coordinate background checks in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act and FSI’s process.
Distribute required California notices and pamphlets.
Schedule orientation, set up HRIS profiles, and coordinate equipment and system access with IT and managers.
Track new-hire training completion, including California-required harassment prevention training.
Process separations in the HRIS and notify payroll, IT, and managers.
Help ensure final pay timing meets California requirements.
Prepare and distribute separation notices and benefits information, including the EDD For Your Benefit pamphlet and COBRA/Cal-COBRA materials.
Coordinate return of company property and schedule exit interviews.
Answer employee questions about medical, dental, vision, FSA/HRA, and other plans, escalating complex issues to the HR Generalist.
Process benefits enrollments, qualifying life events, and terminations with carriers and vendors.
Assist with open enrollment logistics and communications.
Reconcile monthly benefits invoices and flag discrepancies.
Track premium payments for employees on leave in coordination with the HR Generalist.
Maintain accurate and confidential personnel, medical, and I-9 files, keeping them separate as required.
Enter and audit HRIS data, including job changes, pay changes, addresses, and status updates.
Respond to employment verification requests according to FSI policy.
Maintain HR trackers, reports, and employee communications.
Keep required federal and California workplace postings current.
Post job openings with required pay ranges, schedule interviews, and coordinate candidate communications.
Support HR events, employee recognition, and engagement activities.
Assist with policy updates, handbook acknowledgments, and compliance audits.
Take on other HR projects and position-related responsibilities as assigned by the HR Generalist or other managers.