Find & Apply For Human Resources / Labor Relations Specialist Jobs in Arcata, California

About the Role The People & Culture Generalist provides broad-based HR support across the employee lifecycle at Wing Group. You'll be a trusted, front-line resource for employees and managers on recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, engagement, compensation, benefits, payroll, HRIS, compliance, leaves, and workplace programs — ensuring practices are consistent, well documented, and fully compliant with California employment law. Who We Are Looking For We're looking for a versatile, people-first HR generalist who thrives on variety and can move confidently between strategic support and hands-on execution. You bring strong judgment, discretion, and a genuine desire to make work better for employees and managers alike. You're comfortable juggling multiple priorities in a fast-paced, cross-border environment, and you know when to solve a problem yourself and when to escalate. If you enjoy being the go-to person for HR questions, take pride in accurate documentation, and want a role where your day-to-day genuinely varies, this is for you. What You'll Do Employee Relations & Manager Support Provide front-line guidance on policy, performance, conflict, and employment processes Coach managers through corrective action, documentation, and difficult conversations Support workplace investigations and offboarding processes (terminations, exits, final pay, equipment returns) Recruitment & Onboarding Manage full-cycle recruitment for hourly and salaried roles Support new-hire compliance documentation, including I-9/E-Verify and California-specific new-hire notice requirements (e.g., Wage Theft Prevention Act notice) Own and improve onboarding, orientation, and new-hire check-ins Performance, Engagement & Development Support performance management cycles, goal setting, and PIPs Coordinate engagement initiatives, recognition programs, and events Track required and developmental training completion Spot people trends and recommend practical fixes Compensation, Benefits, Payroll & HRIS Support job evaluations, wage benchmarking, and annual increase processes Assist with benefits administration and vendor coordination Prepare and submit payroll inputs; support audits and reconciliations Maintain accurate HRIS data and produce standard/ad hoc reports Compliance, Leaves & Safety (California-Focused) Support compliance with California Labor Code wage/hour rules, including meal and rest break requirements, overtime, and final pay timing Administer leaves under CFRA, FMLA, PDL, and California paid sick leave; manage accommodations and interactive process requirements under FEHA and the ADA Support Cal/OSHA reporting, injury and illness prevention program (IIPP) administration, and workers' compensation claims and return-to-work coordination Maintain compliance with California-specific requirements such as wage statement/pay stub rules, required postings, PAGA exposure areas, and pay transparency/pay data reporting obligations Assist with audits, agency inquiries (e.g., CRD, DLSE), and employment-related proceedings Office & Site Support Coordinate office services, vendors, and workplace logistics as needed What You Bring 3+ years of progressive HR generalist/advisor/coordinator experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience) HR degree, diploma, or certificate preferred; SHRM-CP/SCP, PHR, or SPHR a plus Solid working knowledge of California employment law, including wage/hour rules, FEHA, CFRA, and Cal/OSHA requirements Experience supporting employees in California strongly preferred; multi-state experience an asset Payroll experience or payroll certification is an asset Strong communication, organization, and discretion with confidential information Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and HRIS/payroll systems Empathy, resilience, and a continuous-improvement mindset