HR Generalist

Job Details: Job Location: Sacred Heart Schools Atherton - Atherton, CA, Position Type: Full Time 12 - Month Schedule of Duties, Salary Range: $75000.00 - $90000.00Salary/year, Job Category: Human Resources, Why Work at Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton?

Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton offers more than a job, it’s a chance to be part of a mission-driven community dedicated to shaping the next generation. Whether you’re coming from education or seeking a career change, you’ll find meaningful work in a collaborative, values-based environment.

Our school calendar supports strong work-life balance while still reflecting the dedication our work requires. Staff receive 19 paid holidays annually, and faculty receive 30, along with extended time off in the summer. Both staff and faculty also receive PTO and sick time, allowing for flexibility and real opportunities to recharge.

We offer exceptional benefits, including a generous retirement plan that does not require employee contributions, along with complimentary lunches and on-site parking to make your day-to-day experience easier.

Most importantly, Sacred Heart is a place of purpose and community, where employees can engage beyond their primary roles and contribute to an environment focused on growth, learning, and developing future leaders.

Position Title: HR Generalist

Department: Human Resources

Reports To: HR Director (HRD)

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Full-Time Equivalent %: 100%

Schedule of Duties: 12-Month

Salary: $75,000 - $90,000 annually, depending on experience

Position Purpose: The HR Generalist supports the administration and delivery of Human Resources programs, with primary responsibility for employee benefits, leaves of absence, workers' compensation, compliance, onboarding, HRIS data administration, and general HR operations. The position serves as a key point of contact for employees and partners closely with the Director of HR, Payroll, Finance & Accounting, Operations, benefits brokers, carriers, and other external partners.

Specific Expectations for Human Resources Staff

In addition to duties and essential job functions listed in job descriptions, the following responsibilities are expected of all employees in the HR and Director’s Office:

Professional development as required and approved by your supervisor, work beyond your regular hours when required and approved by your supervisor, and attendance of, or participation in, mandatory meetings and/or events as directed by your supervisor, including but not limited to the bi-annual Director’s Days.

Essential Functions

Benefits Administration

Collaborate with the HRD to administer employee benefit plans, partnering with plan providers, the benefits broker, HRIS and payroll partners, and Finance & Accounting to support accurate enrollment, deductions, invoicing, and plan administration.
Administer the day-to-day operation of health, FSA, HSA, commuter, life insurance, voluntary benefits, and other employee benefit programs. Manage the full life cycle of benefit plan renewals, including timelines, vendor or carrier implementations, contracts and amendments, plan documents, employee communications, education, and enrollment activities.
Partner with the benefits broker, carriers, and vendors to plan and execute annual open enrollment and ongoing benefits administration.
Serve as a primary point of contact for employee benefit questions and issues, coordinating with the benefits broker or carriers as appropriate. Support employees with benefits enrollment, changes, and termination of coverage.
Reconcile monthly benefit invoices and employee deductions, investigate discrepancies, and coordinate with Finance & Accounting regarding allocations and corrections.
Coordinate employee benefit and wellness events, including open enrollment meetings, vendor education sessions, and other employee programs.

Leaves of Absence, Accommodations & Workers' Compensation

Support administration of leave programs including FMLA, CFRA, ADA accommodations, and other protected leaves
Partner with the HRD and Operations to coordinate workplace and ergonomic accommodation requests, maintaining appropriate documentation and confidentiality.
Collaborate with the HRD and Payroll and HRIS Administrator to support leave of absence administration, including employee communication, documentation, HRIS tracking, and coordination of payroll and benefit impacts.
Administer employee workers' compensation claims, including filing claims with the carrier and coordinating with employees, managers, safety personnel, and carriers regarding claim status and return-to-work arrangements. Complete required logs, summaries, reports, and audits.

HRIS & Employee Data Management

Maintain accurate employee and benefits data in the HRIS, process approved employee and benefit changes, perform routine data audits, generate reports, support HRIS workflows and testing, and assist employees with HRIS self-service questions.

Compliance, Policies & HR Records

Support HR compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including required notices, records, reporting, audits, and related documentation.
Assist with the administration, communication, and consistent application of HR policies and procedures, and maintain organized HR records in accordance with applicable requirements.

Onboarding & Employee Experience

Plan and coordinate the annual new employee orientation and provide ongoing support for onboarding new employees.

Payroll & Cross-Functional Support

Provide backup support for payroll and employee data processing, including entering approved personnel actions and other employee changes as assigned.
Perform other duties as needed and assigned.

Required Qualifications

A clear commitment to the educational philosophy of the schools as articulated in the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools and professional behavior based on it.
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. A minimum of three years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience is required. HR certification such as PHR, SHRM-CP, or similar is preferred.
Proficiency with HRIS platforms, Microsoft, and Google Suite. Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate data, perform audits, generate reports, and learn new systems and technology.
Working knowledge of employee benefits administration, HR operations, workers' compensation, leave administration, and applicable employment compliance requirements.
Ability and willingness to participate in professional development and maintain current knowledge of Human Resources practices, systems, and regulatory requirements.
Strong judgment, problem-solving skills, and ability to interpret and carry out written and verbal instructions.
Ability to assess priorities, respond appropriately to employee needs, and escalate urgent or sensitive matters when necessary.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines with appropriate professional boundaries.
Ability to work efficiently and collaboratively, both independently and as part of a team, in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
Strong interpersonal and customer-service skills, with the ability to build trust and communicate effectively with individuals across a diverse school community, including during difficult or sensitive situations.
Ability to communicate effectively with all constituents in a school environment, both verbally and in writing. Similar ability in Spanish is strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

Works in a fast-paced and challenging environment serving a varied constituency and dealing with a wide variety of requests, deadlines, and complexities.
Ability to travel safely and comfortably across a 64-acre campus.
Regularly uses close and distance vision working at a desk and computer screen/keyboard for extended periods of time.
Works in a traditional climate-controlled office environment.
Regularly sits, talks, hears, turns, bends, and reaches. Must be able to lift 12 lbs. regularly and occasionally lift up to 30 lbs., with or without reasonable accommodation.
Regular and reliable attendance consistent with the requirements of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Qualifications: