Senior Human Resources Specialist
The Crucible, Oakland, CA, United States
Description
Department:
Administration / Human Resources Reports To:
Executive Director Status:
Full-Time, Exempt, 30 Hours per week Location:
Oakland, CA (Hybrid eligible; majority onsite presence required)
Position Summary The Senior Human Resources Specialist serves as the sole HR professional for our $3m nonprofit arts education organization. This role is responsible for the full range of human resources functions, including employee relations and engagement, labor relations support, compliance, recruitment, onboarding, performance management, benefits administration, and policy development.
As the organization’s HR generalist and subject matter expert, the Senior HR Specialist provides strategic guidance to leadership while managing day-to-day HR operations. This role requires strong judgment, discretion, and experience navigating labor relations in a unionized or union-organizing environment. The position blends operational execution with advisory responsibility and plays a critical role in maintaining a compliant, equitable, and mission-aligned workplace culture.
The selected candidate will receive structured onboarding and advisory support for several months from a senior HR executive with extensive labor relations experience. This transition support is designed to ensure stability and long‑term success in a unionized environment.
Core Responsibilities Human Resources Operations (35%)
Administer all core HR functions, including onboarding, offboarding, employee records, and HRIS management
Provide HR dashboards and data reporting for Executive Director and leadership team
Ensure compliance with federal, state (California), and local employment laws
Manage employee handbook updates and policy documentation
Oversee benefits administration, open enrollment, and employee communications
Maintain accurate employee files and documentation and any HR reporting systems
Coordinate payroll-related HR input in collaboration with Finance
Utilize and maintain HRIS system proficiently, ensuring quality process and fully leveraging system features as aligned with mission, and stakeholder needs
Labor Relations & Employee Relations (25%)
Serve as HR liaison in unionized or union-organizing environments
Support leadership in collective bargaining preparation and contract administration
Interpret and apply collective bargaining agreement (CBA) provisions
Advise management on grievance handling, investigations, and progressive discipline
Maintain documentation related to labor matters and employee disputes
Promote proactive conflict resolution and compliance
Ensure practices and policies are aligned with support and engagement of staff
Maintain effective working relationship with union representatives
Recruitment & Talent Management (15%)
Manage full‑cycle recruitment processes
Develop job descriptions and compensation benchmarking
Advise managers on hiring decisions and offer structures
Lead onboarding processes and ensure compliance documentation
Support succession planning and workforce development initiatives
Provide seamless off‑boarding process for departing employees
Performance Management & Organizational Development (15%)
Support managers in performance review processes
Provide coaching to supervisors on employee development and accountability
Provide and / or assist in training and professional development initiatives
Promote and help ensure equity‑informed workplace practices
Compliance & Risk Management (10%)
Monitor compliance with Cal/OSHA, wage‑hour laws, leave regulations (FMLA, CFRA), and EDD requirements
Oversee workers’ compensation claims and workplace safety documentation
Ensure required labor law postings and reporting are maintained
Advise leadership on employment risk exposure
Requirements Experience
Minimum 5 years of progressive HR generalist experience in all areas of HR and People Management
Experience as a sole HR practitioner or in a nonprofit organization strongly preferred
Demonstrated experience supporting labor relations and/or working in a unionized environment
Strong working knowledge of California employment law
Education Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience). HR certification (PHR, SHRM‑CP, or similar) is preferred.
Required Competencies
Excellent judgment and discretion with confidential information
Strong track record of innovative mindset and continuance improvement in service delivery
High problem‑solving skills
Strong knowledge of labor law and contract interpretation
Ability to advise senior leadership while executing operational tasks
Ability to analyze People Management process and practices, and suggest improvements and additions
Ability to create and maintain strong working relationships and positive engagement with all levels of staff, students, clients and stakeholders
Clear written and verbal professional communication skills
High attention to detail and documentation discipline
Ability to balance mission sensitivity with compliance requirements
Work Environment This position requires regular onsite presence to support staff and managers in a hands‑on, community‑centered arts environment. Hybrid flexibility may be available depending on organizational needs.
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Department:
Administration / Human Resources Reports To:
Executive Director Status:
Full-Time, Exempt, 30 Hours per week Location:
Oakland, CA (Hybrid eligible; majority onsite presence required)
Position Summary The Senior Human Resources Specialist serves as the sole HR professional for our $3m nonprofit arts education organization. This role is responsible for the full range of human resources functions, including employee relations and engagement, labor relations support, compliance, recruitment, onboarding, performance management, benefits administration, and policy development.
As the organization’s HR generalist and subject matter expert, the Senior HR Specialist provides strategic guidance to leadership while managing day-to-day HR operations. This role requires strong judgment, discretion, and experience navigating labor relations in a unionized or union-organizing environment. The position blends operational execution with advisory responsibility and plays a critical role in maintaining a compliant, equitable, and mission-aligned workplace culture.
The selected candidate will receive structured onboarding and advisory support for several months from a senior HR executive with extensive labor relations experience. This transition support is designed to ensure stability and long‑term success in a unionized environment.
Core Responsibilities Human Resources Operations (35%)
Administer all core HR functions, including onboarding, offboarding, employee records, and HRIS management
Provide HR dashboards and data reporting for Executive Director and leadership team
Ensure compliance with federal, state (California), and local employment laws
Manage employee handbook updates and policy documentation
Oversee benefits administration, open enrollment, and employee communications
Maintain accurate employee files and documentation and any HR reporting systems
Coordinate payroll-related HR input in collaboration with Finance
Utilize and maintain HRIS system proficiently, ensuring quality process and fully leveraging system features as aligned with mission, and stakeholder needs
Labor Relations & Employee Relations (25%)
Serve as HR liaison in unionized or union-organizing environments
Support leadership in collective bargaining preparation and contract administration
Interpret and apply collective bargaining agreement (CBA) provisions
Advise management on grievance handling, investigations, and progressive discipline
Maintain documentation related to labor matters and employee disputes
Promote proactive conflict resolution and compliance
Ensure practices and policies are aligned with support and engagement of staff
Maintain effective working relationship with union representatives
Recruitment & Talent Management (15%)
Manage full‑cycle recruitment processes
Develop job descriptions and compensation benchmarking
Advise managers on hiring decisions and offer structures
Lead onboarding processes and ensure compliance documentation
Support succession planning and workforce development initiatives
Provide seamless off‑boarding process for departing employees
Performance Management & Organizational Development (15%)
Support managers in performance review processes
Provide coaching to supervisors on employee development and accountability
Provide and / or assist in training and professional development initiatives
Promote and help ensure equity‑informed workplace practices
Compliance & Risk Management (10%)
Monitor compliance with Cal/OSHA, wage‑hour laws, leave regulations (FMLA, CFRA), and EDD requirements
Oversee workers’ compensation claims and workplace safety documentation
Ensure required labor law postings and reporting are maintained
Advise leadership on employment risk exposure
Requirements Experience
Minimum 5 years of progressive HR generalist experience in all areas of HR and People Management
Experience as a sole HR practitioner or in a nonprofit organization strongly preferred
Demonstrated experience supporting labor relations and/or working in a unionized environment
Strong working knowledge of California employment law
Education Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience). HR certification (PHR, SHRM‑CP, or similar) is preferred.
Required Competencies
Excellent judgment and discretion with confidential information
Strong track record of innovative mindset and continuance improvement in service delivery
High problem‑solving skills
Strong knowledge of labor law and contract interpretation
Ability to advise senior leadership while executing operational tasks
Ability to analyze People Management process and practices, and suggest improvements and additions
Ability to create and maintain strong working relationships and positive engagement with all levels of staff, students, clients and stakeholders
Clear written and verbal professional communication skills
High attention to detail and documentation discipline
Ability to balance mission sensitivity with compliance requirements
Work Environment This position requires regular onsite presence to support staff and managers in a hands‑on, community‑centered arts environment. Hybrid flexibility may be available depending on organizational needs.
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