HR Specialist

HR Specialist
Location: Richmond, CA
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Onsite 5 Days per Week)
Job Type: Ongoing Contract Assignment
Start Date: ASAP
Pay range: $35-42/hour
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced and hands-on HR Specialist to join a growing Human Resources team. This role will serve as a key resource for employees and managers, providing support across benefits administration, leave management, payroll coordination, employee relations, and day-to-day HR operations.
The ideal candidate is a strong HR generalist who can work independently, navigate ambiguity, and confidently manage employee inquiries while supporting a fast-paced, evolving organization. This position requires someone who enjoys being hands-on, takes initiative, and is comfortable balancing both administrative and employee-facing responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
Benefits Administration

• Administer employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and voluntary benefit offerings.
• Manage benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations, and annual open enrollment activities.
• Ensure benefit eligibility is processed accurately, including enrollments effective the first of the month following date of hire.
• Partner with benefits vendors and internal stakeholders to resolve employee questions and enrollment issues.
• Educate employees on available benefit programs and assist with benefit-related inquiries.

Leave of Absence Management

• Coordinate and administer employee leaves of absence, including FMLA, CFRA, pregnancy disability leave, ADA accommodations, and other applicable leave programs.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for employees and managers regarding leave processes and requirements.
• Monitor leave timelines and ensure accurate documentation and compliance.
• Prepare leave management summaries and provide status updates to leadership as needed.
• Coordinate continuation of benefits and employee communications throughout leave periods.

Employee Relations & HR Support

• Respond to employee and manager questions regarding policies, procedures, benefits, leave programs, and HR practices.
• Interpret employee handbook policies and provide guidance consistent with company practices and employment regulations.
• Assist with employee relations matters, including documentation, investigations, performance concerns, and policy interpretation.
• Help maintain a positive employee experience through responsive and professional HR support.

Payroll Coordination

• Partner with payroll and HR leadership to support payroll-related processes.
• Request, review, and analyze payroll reports.
• Assist with payroll audits, reconciliations, and calculations as needed.
• Investigate and help resolve payroll discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Ensure accurate employee data is maintained between HR and payroll systems.

HR Operations

• Manage and organize the HR inbox, ensuring inquiries are routed and resolved appropriately.
• Maintain employee records and HR documentation while ensuring confidentiality and compliance.
• Support onboarding and offboarding processes, including employee communications and paperwork.
• Assist with HR reporting, audits, and special projects.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and increase efficiency across HR operations.

Qualifications

• 4-5+ years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• Strong hands-on benefits administration experience.
• Extensive Leave of Absence (LOA) administration experience.
• Working knowledge of different types of leave of absences such as:
  • FMLA
  • CFRA
  • California employment laws and local ordinances
• Experience coordinating benefits, leave programs, and payroll-related processes.
• Strong understanding of HR policies, procedures, and employee relations practices.
• Ability to interpret and apply employee handbook guidelines and employment regulations.
• Experience responding to employee and manager HR inquiries.
• Payroll knowledge required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel.
• Experience with HRIS systems

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.lhh.com/us/en/candidate-privacy
The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:
• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Benefit offerings include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits, and 401K plan. Our program provides employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. Available paid leave may include Paid Sick Leave, where required by law; any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law; and Holiday pay upon meeting eligibility criteria.
Pay Details: $35.00 to $42.00 per hour
Search managed by: Tiffany Duong
Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
Military connected talent encouraged to apply
To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.lhh.com/us/en/candidate-privacy
The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Massachusetts Candidates Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.