Human Resources Specialist

Description

Department: Human Resources

Employment Type: Part-Time, Non-Exempt

Pay: $25.00 per hour

Work Arrangement: In-person, on-site

Locations: Escondido, Perris, and Encanto (San Diego), California

Reports To: Human Resources Business Partner

Position Summary

Heartbeat Music & Performing Arts Academy seeks an experienced, organized Human Resources Specialist to support HR operations across multiple sites. The position requires substantial hands-on experience in recruiting, workplace investigations, new-hire orientation, and developing and improving HR policies, processes, and procedures. The specialist must exercise sound judgment, protect confidentiality, work independently, and collaborate with leadership to maintain consistent and compliant HR practices.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Recruitment and Talent Acquisition

· Manage full-cycle recruiting, including postings, screening, interview coordination, candidate evaluation, and hiring support.

· Partner with hiring managers on staffing needs and recruitment strategies; coordinate offers, background checks, and pre-employment requirements.

· Maintain applicant records and recommend improvements to recruiting efficiency and candidate experience.

Employee Relations and Investigations

· Receive and document employee concerns and workplace complaints; conduct or assist with impartial investigations.

· Interview relevant parties, review evidence, maintain confidential records, and prepare objective investigation summaries.

· Recommend appropriate follow-up to HR management and support consistent, non-retaliatory resolution of concerns.

Orientation and Onboarding

· Coordinate and facilitate new-hire orientation at Academy locations.

· Track onboarding forms, employment eligibility verification, clearances, certifications, and required training.

· Communicate policies, expectations, and procedures to new employees and coordinate readiness with site leadership.

Policy, Process, and Procedure Development

· Develop, revise, and implement HR policies, standard operating procedures, forms, checklists, and workflow guides.

· Review HR practices for consistency, efficiency, accountability, and compliance; recommend improvements.

· Support employee handbook updates and communicate approved procedural changes to employees and leaders.

Compliance, Records, and Operational Support

· Maintain accurate confidential personnel records and HRIS information; support audits and employment compliance.

· Track required employee documentation, training, and childcare-related compliance requirements.

· Assist with timekeeping discrepancies, payroll documentation, benefits inquiries, attendance, leave, and personnel changes.

· Prepare HR correspondence, corrective-action documentation, reports, and separation paperwork under appropriate oversight.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must meet ONE of the following education and experience combinations:

· Associate’s degree from an accredited institution and at least two (2) years of professional HR experience.

· No degree and at least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional HR experience.

Work Schedule and Site Assignments

This is a fully in-person position. The regular schedule is Monday, 8:00 AM–1:00 PM, and Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM, for a total of 25 scheduled hours per week

The HR Specialist must be willing to travel among all Academy sites. Anticipated weekly assignments are two (2) days in Escondido, two (2) days in Perris, and one (1) day at Encanto (San Diego). Specific days and site assignments may change based on organizational needs. Compensable travel time and required business travel expenses will be handled in accordance with applicable California law.

Performance Expectations

Demonstrate initiative, timely follow-through, professional communication, accurate recordkeeping, sound judgment, confidentiality, consistent policy application, and proactive process improvement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Heartbeat Music & Performing Arts Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and makes employment decisions without regard to any status protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as required by law.

Disclaimer

This description summarizes the role and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Responsibilities, schedules, and site assignments may change based on organizational needs, consistent with applicable law.

Requirements

Required Specialized HR Experience

· Recruitment and Talent Acquisition: Extensive experience managing full-cycle recruitment, including candidate sourcing, screening, interviewing, hiring coordination, and recruitment process improvement.

· Workplace Investigations: Strong hands-on experience conducting or supporting impartial investigations, interviewing employees and witnesses, reviewing evidence, documenting findings, and recommending appropriate resolutions.

· Orientation and Onboarding: Proven experience developing, coordinating, and facilitating new-hire orientation and onboarding programs, including employment documentation, training, and communication of workplace expectations.

· Policy, Process, and Procedure Development: Demonstrated experience drafting, reviewing, implementing, and improving HR policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), workflows, forms, and organizational processes.

· Leave of Absence Administration and Employment Law Compliance: Must possess strong working knowledge of California and federal leave of absence laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), California Family Rights Act (CFRA), California Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), and other applicable protected leave requirements. Must have demonstrated hands-on experience administering leaves, evaluating accommodation requests, participating in the interactive process, maintaining appropriate documentation, and ensuring compliance with employee rights, job protection, and return-to-work requirements.

· Candidates must demonstrate substantial, hands-on experience in recruitment, workplace investigations, new-hire orientation, and the development and implementation of HR policies, processes, and procedures.

· Strong working knowledge of California and federal employment laws and HR compliance requirements.

· Strong written communication, interviewing, documentation, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

· Ability to manage confidential matters, prioritize assignments, and work independently across multiple sites.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with HRIS, applicant tracking, and payroll/timekeeping systems.