Human Resource Generalist

SANTA MARIA
HUMAN RESOURCES GENERALIST

Department: Human Resources

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer

FLSA Status: Exempt

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

The Human Resources Specialist is responsible for coordinating and executing the day-to-day human resources functions of Santa Maria, with a strong emphasis on talent acquisition, recruitment, onboarding, and employee support. This position serves as a primary point of contact for employees and hiring managers and works closely with organizational leadership and Santa Maria's external human resources partners to ensure responsive, consistent, and compliant HR practices.

A primary focus of this position is leading the recruitment process from position approval through successful onboarding. The Human Resources Specialist actively recruits and sources candidates, manages job postings and applicant tracking systems, develops community recruiting relationships, participates in job fairs and recruiting events, coordinates interviews and pre-employment requirements, and ensures new employees receive an organized, welcoming, and timely onboarding experience.

The Human Resources Specialist also coordinates employee records, HR systems, training compliance, benefits and leave administration, performance management processes, employee changes, HR reporting, and other human resources activities.

• Leads the day-to-day recruitment process for open positions throughout the organization, from approved position requisition through successful hire and onboarding.
• Partners with hiring managers to understand staffing needs, position requirements, qualifications, and recruitment priorities.
• Creates and maintains job postings and ensures positions are accurately and effectively marketed through appropriate recruitment channels.
• Manages the applicant tracking system, including monitoring applications, maintaining candidate status, and ensuring timely movement of candidates through the hiring process.
• Actively sources qualified candidates rather than relying solely on incoming applications.
• Reviews resumes and applications, conducts initial candidate screenings, and identifies qualified candidates for hiring manager consideration.
• Coordinates interviews and maintains regular communication with candidates and hiring managers throughout the selection process.
• Develops and maintains relationships with colleges, workforce development organizations, community partners, professional associations, and other potential recruitment sources.
• Identifies, schedules, and represents Santa Maria at job fairs, career events, community recruiting events, and other workforce recruitment opportunities.
• Develops strategies to maintain candidate pipelines for frequently recruited and difficult-to-fill positions.
• Coordinates reference checks, background screenings, drug testing, and other required pre-employment processes.
• Prepares and coordinates offer letters and communicates pre-employment requirements to selected candidates.
• Tracks recruitment activity and provides regular reports on vacancies, candidate pipelines, time-to-fill, recruiting sources, and other relevant recruitment metrics.
• Identifies opportunities to improve Santa Maria's recruitment practices, candidate experience, and ability to attract and retain qualified employees.

• Coordinates the onboarding process for all new employees from accepted offer through completion of initial onboarding requirements.
• Maintains regular communication with new employees prior to their start date and ensures required paperwork and pre-employment requirements are completed.
• Coordinates and/or conducts new employee orientation and communicates Santa Maria policies, expectations, benefits, and available resources.
• Ensures new employees are appropriately entered into required HR and organizational systems.
• Assigns and monitors required Blue Basin and other organizational training.
• Coordinates with supervisors and appropriate departments to ensure employees have necessary system access, equipment, identification, and other resources needed to begin employment.
• Monitors completion of required onboarding activities and follows up with employees and supervisors regarding outstanding requirements.
• Supports new-hire check-ins and other activities designed to improve employee retention and the overall onboarding experience.

• Maintains accurate and confidential employee personnel records and HR documentation in accordance with organizational policies and applicable requirements.
• Processes employee status changes, compensation changes, transfers, promotions, terminations, and other personnel transactions.
• Maintains HR systems and ensures employee information is accurate and current.
• Monitors required employee training and communicates with employees and supervisors regarding incomplete or overdue training.
• Generates regular HR reports, including staffing,…