Onboarding Specialist, Operations & Compliance

Woodcraft Rangers•Empire, CA

5d•$24 - $30•Hybrid

About The Position

The Onboarding Specialist, Operations & Compliance anchors the operational and compliance foundation of Woodcraft Rangers’ onboarding process. This role is the primary owner of pre-employment clearances, compliance documentation, payroll setup, and onboarding logistics — ensuring every new hire is brought in compliantly and that nothing falls through the cracks. Compliance and data accuracy do not stop at the point of hire: this role maintains ongoing responsibility for site transitions and employee data changes throughout the employee lifecycle. This role sits within the People Experience team and reports to the Associate Director of People Experience. During peak hiring season, this role flexes to support co-facilitation of orientation, LMS enrollment, and shadow day coordination as needed.

Requirements

3+ years of experience in HR operations, onboarding, or people operations, preferably in a high-volume or multi-site environment
Working knowledge of California employment law, I-9 compliance, and pre-employment clearance requirements
Knowledge of Adverse Action processing
Experience with HRIS and payroll systems (ADP Workforce Now)
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously
Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism
Comfort working in a fast-paced, seasonal environment with shifting priorities

Nice To Haves

Experience in a youth-serving nonprofit, education, or expanded learning organization
Experience supporting new hire orientation or onboarding facilitation
Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Responsibilities

Manage all pre-employment compliance requirements for new hires, including background checks, LiveScan fingerprinting, TB clearances, and required certifications
Track clearance status across all new hire populations and follow up proactively to ensure no hire is delayed or missed
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of California employment law and district-specific requirements to ensure compliance at every step
Serve as the primary point of contact for new hires navigating pre-employment requirements, providing clear guidance and timely follow-up
Own the collection, review, and processing of all new hire paperwork, including I-9 verification, tax forms, direct deposit, and required policy acknowledgments
Enter and maintain accurate employee records in ADP and other HR systems; audit data regularly to ensure completeness and accuracy
Coordinate payroll to ensure all new hires are paid correctly and on time from their first paycheck
Process employee data changes including site transfers, role updates, and separations in a timely and accurate manner
Coordinate onboarding logistics for new hires across all staff categories, including scheduling, communication, and materials preparation
Maintain the onboarding tracker and ensure all steps are completed and documented for every new hire
Partner with the Onboarding Specialist, Experience & Learning to ensure a seamless handoff between compliance tasks and the new hire experience journey
Communicate clearly and proactively with hiring managers and program staff about new hire start dates, clearance status, and onboarding timelines
Maintain accurate and current employee records through site transitions, schedule changes, and other employee data updates throughout the year
Conduct regular audits of employee records in ADP and related systems to identify and resolve discrepancies
Support compliance reporting requirements and respond to internal data requests from Talent, People Experience, Finance, and Program leadership
During high-volume hiring periods, flex to support co-facilitation of new hire orientation alongside the Onboarding Specialist, Experience & Learning
Support LMS enrollment and shadow day coordination as needed during peak season