Human Resources Compliance Specialist

Haynes and Boone•Denver, CO

14h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Human Resources (HR) Compliance Specialist is an exempt position responsible for ensuring the Firm’s compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws across all U.S. locations, as well as supporting the Firm’s HIPAA compliance obligations as both a Business Associate and a Covered Entity. This role proactively monitors legislative changes, audits internal practices, maintains compliant policies and documentation, and partners with HR leadership to mitigate risk. The HR Compliance Specialist serves as a subject matter resource on employment compliance matters, and supports the consistent application of policies, handbooks, and regulatory requirements firmwide. Salary will be based on location and experience

Requirements

3–5+ years of progressive HR experience with a strong emphasis on compliance.
Experience in a multi-state employer environment required; law firm or professional services experience required.
Working knowledge of federal employment laws including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, ADEA, USERRA, and related state laws.
Experience managing handbook updates and jurisdictional addenda.
Familiarity with HRIS systems (Workday preferred) and electronic recordkeeping requirements.
Experience supporting audits, agency responses, and compliance investigations.
Working knowledge of the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with ability to interpret complex regulatory language.
Exceptional attention to detail and documentation accuracy.
Ability to work independently and proactively identify compliance risks.
Strong written communication skills, particularly policy drafting.
Organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential matters.
Project management capability to track legislative updates and implementation timelines.
Familiarity with PHI handling, access controls, and information-sharing protocols in a professional services or legal environment.
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field required; Juris Doctor degree with relevant experience may also be considered.

Nice To Haves

PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Monitor and interpret federal, state, and local employment laws and regulatory updates across all jurisdictions in which the Firm operates.
Assess impact of legislative changes and recommend updates to policies, handbooks, and procedures.
Draft, update, and maintain the employee and attorney handbooks, including state-specific addenda.
Ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, leave laws (FMLA, state equivalents), pay transparency, and posting requirements.
Oversee I-9 and E-Verify compliance; conduct periodic internal audits to ensure accuracy and completion.
Manage compliance-related documentation within Workday or HRIS, ensuring proper recordkeeping and retention practices.
Coordinate required workplace postings across all offices (physical and electronic).
Support responses to government audits, unemployment claims, EEOC charges, and other agency inquiries.
Conduct periodic internal compliance audits and provide corrective action recommendations.
Partner with HR Generalists and department leadership to ensure consistent application of policies.
Develop and deliver compliance training to managers and staff as needed.
Maintain confidentiality of sensitive employee information and investigations.
Create compliance tracking tools and dashboards to monitor regulatory requirements and audit outcomes.
Support annual reporting requirements (e.g., EEO-1, pay data reporting where applicable).
Collaborate with payroll, benefits, and HRIS to ensure regulatory alignment in system processes.
Maintain HIPAA compliance documentation, including privacy and security policies, Business Associate Agreement (BAA) inventories, breach and disclosure logs, and health plan privacy documentation.
Coordinate HIPAA privacy and protected health information (PHI) handling training for applicable personnel, including onboarding training and annual refreshers; maintain completion tracking records.
Support the coordination of annual HIPAA risk analyses on both the Business Associate and Covered Entity sides, working with the designated Security Official and any third-party assessors.