HR Specialist

The HR Specialist works under the direction of the Regional Human Resources Business Partner and is responsible for coordinating and executing the administration of key human resources programs, processes, and compliance functions. This role serves as a critical HR resource to employees, contractors, and leaders throughout the employment lifecycle.

The HR Specialist plays a pivotal role in creating an excellent onboarding experience for employees and contractors while ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant HR records. This position requires a highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-driven HR professional who can independently manage priorities, identify process gaps, and proactively drive work to completion.

The ideal candidate demonstrates strong HR and compliance knowledge, exceptional customer service, sound judgment, and a solutions-focused mindset. The HR Specialist II is expected to embody and promote the Giving HEART culture while providing consistent and professional HR support to the local office and broader organization. #INDNM/ABQ

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary HR point of contact for employees throughout the onboarding process, providing timely, professional, and solutions-focused support.
• Coordinate and manage the end-to-end onboarding process to ensure employees and contractors have a positive, organized, and compliant onboarding experience.
• Track and maintain onboarding documentation for employees and contractors, ensuring records are complete, accurate, and compliant.
• Monitor ongoing licensure, certifications, credentials, and other required documentation necessary to maintain compliance with state and federal regulations and company requirements.
• Coordinate and track caregiver health requirements, including health documentation, authorizations, screenings, and other applicable compliance requirements.
• Conduct routine and scheduled HR compliance audits, identify documentation or process deficiencies, and proactively follow up to ensure timely resolution.
• Monitor completion of required Learning Module and HealthStream training assignments and provide timely follow-up and escalation when compliance requirements are not met.
• Collaborate with Compliance, Learning and Development, and operational leaders to audit employee and contractor records and support timely completion of annual training requirements.
• Maintain accurate employee and contractor information within HR systems and ensure data integrity across applicable HR platforms.
• Provide guidance to employees and managers regarding HR policies, procedures, onboarding requirements, and standard HR processes.
• Independently manage assigned HR projects from planning through completion, including tracking deadlines, communicating updates, identifying risks, and escalating barriers when appropriate.
• Develop and maintain HR tracking tools, audit reports, and process documentation to support compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Identify process gaps, recurring concerns, and opportunities for improvement and recommend practical, sustainable solutions.
• Respond to employee, contractor, and leadership inquiries with a high level of professionalism, urgency, confidentiality, and customer service.
• Exercise sound judgment and problem-solving skills when researching and resolving HR-related concerns.
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Compliance, Payroll, IT, Learning and Development, and other departments to resolve employee and contractor issues.
• Support the onsite HR team with employee relations documentation, HR initiatives, special projects, and other operational HR needs.
• Assist with maintaining HR standard operating procedures (SOPs), workflows, and best practices to promote consistency and accountability.
• Prioritize and independently manage a high-volume workload while meeting established deadlines and compliance expectations.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive employee and organizational information.
• Maintain current knowledge and understanding of federal and state employment laws, regulations, and HR best practices affecting human resources management.
• Consistently demonstrate the Giving HEART values and contribute to a positive, collaborative, and professional workplace culture.
• Perform other comparable and related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent HR experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of progressive Human Resources experience, preferably in an HR Specialist, HR Generalist, compliance, or HR operations role.
• Previous experience supporting HR compliance, employee onboarding, personnel records, credential tracking, or regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify discrepancies and proactively resolve issues.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated customer service and relationship-building skills.
• Strong critical thinking, research, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive HR matters.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and experience working with HRIS and learning management systems.
• Experience with UKG and HealthStream preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful HR Specialist II will be:

• Highly organized and detail oriented.
• Independent, proactive, and self-driven.
• Accountable and committed to following tasks through completion.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced and evolving HR environment.
• Skilled at managing projects, priorities, and competing deadlines.
• Compliance-focused with a strong auditing mindset.
• Solutions-oriented and able to identify problems before they escalate.
• A strong communicator who provides exceptional internal customer service.
• Collaborative and capable of building positive relationships across departments.
• Adaptable and willing to support changing organizational priorities.
• Professional, approachable, and committed to the Giving HEART culture.