HR Generalist

Nexus HR; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 97,424,000 - 114,616,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental

Vision

Medical

401k

Paid Leave

Job summary

Nexus HR in Sacramento, CA is seeking an experienced HR Generalist with a payroll focus to guide new employees from pre-employment through onboarding, orientation, and initial training. This role covers payroll processing, benefits, and compliance while ensuring a smooth transition for new hires.

You will manage onboarding workflows, handle background checks, and coordinate with IT/facilities to ensure first-day readiness, while maintaining accurate records and supporting training programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 2-4 years of HR experience focusing on onboarding or recruitment.
• Experience with 940 and 941 forms is required.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with HRIS and onboarding software.
• Proficiency with payroll management software (e.g., Paychex, QuickBooks, Prism, TimeCo).
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Able to work in Sacramento, CA.

Responsibilities

• Payroll Administration: process bi-weekly, semi-monthly, monthly, and off-cycle payrolls.
• Calculate and process compensation, deductions, bonuses, and expenses.
• Reconcile payroll data to general ledger; manage time tracking and attendance.
• Maintain payroll records and compliance with federal, state, local laws.
• Manage 401(k) deductions and funding; serve as payroll SME and train staff.
• Prepare and process 940 and 941 tax forms.
• Onboarding Process Management: coordinate full onboarding, offers, background checks, welcome materials, scheduling.
• Conduct new hire orientations and ensure policy understanding.
• Coordinate IT and facilities for first-day access and equipment.
• Pre-Employment Activities: complete background checks, drug tests, eligibility verification.
• Manage new hire paperwork and benefits enrollment.
• Training & Development: organize initial training and role-specific programs.
• Collaborate with department heads to develop training; monitor progress.
• Employee Engagement & Integration: implement onboarding engagement activities, be the main contact.
• Compliance & Documentation: ensure onboarding/legal compliance, maintain records, assist audits.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: work with HR and managers to ensure consistent onboarding; communicate progress.
• Respond to employee inquiries on HR policies, benefits, payroll.

Skills

Payroll processing

Onboarding

Interpersonal skills

Document compliance

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Tools

HRIS

Onboarding software

Payroll software (Paychex, QuickBooks, Prism, TimeCo)

Job description

HR Generalist - Sacramento, CA

Compensation: $34 - $40 per hour

Nexus HR is looking for an experienced HR professional to work with an HR company based in Sacramento, CA.

The HR Generalist with a special focus on Payroll is responsible for guiding new employees through the onboarding process, ensuring a seamless transition into the organization. This role involves coordinating all aspects of onboarding, from pre-employment paperwork to orientation and initial training.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Payroll Administration:

  • Processing bi-weekly, semi-monthly, monthly, and off-cycle payrolls.

  • Calculating and processing employee compensation, deductions, bonuses, and expenses.

  • Reconciling payroll data to general ledger accounts.

  • Managing employee time tracking and attendance systems.

  • Maintaining accurate payroll records and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws.

  • Managing 401(k) and other benefit plan deductions and funding.

  • Serve as a payroll subject matter expert and provide training and support to employees as needed.

  • Preparing and processing 940 and 941 tax forms

• Onboarding Process Management:

  • Coordinate and execute the full onboarding process for new employees, including offer letters, initiating background checks, preparation of welcome materials, necessary paperwork, and initial scheduling.

  • Conduct new hire orientations, ensuring that employees understand the policies and procedures.

  • Work with IT and supervisors' facilities teams to ensure all necessary equipment and access are provided on the employee's first day.

• Pre-Employment Activities:

  • Ensure that all pre-employment documentation is completed, including background checks, drug tests, and verification of employment eligibility.

  • Coordinate and manage new hire paperwork such as contracts, tax forms, and benefits enrollment.

• Training & Development:

  • Organize initial training sessions and ensure new employees know essential systems and processes.

  • Collaborate with department heads to develop role-specific training programs.

  • Monitor new hires' progress during onboarding and provide support as needed.

• Employee Engagement & Integration:

  • Develop and implement engagement activities that help new employees feel welcome and integrated into the team.

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for new hires during their initial weeks to address any questions or concerns.

  • Gather feedback from new hires about their onboarding experience and work to improve the process continuously.

• Compliance & Documentation:

  • Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements related to the onboarding process, including I-9 verification and employment law adherence.

  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date records for all new hires.

  • Assist with audits and ensure all onboarding documentation meets internal and external standards.

  • Ensuring compliance with employment laws and regulations, and recommending best practices for HR policies and procedures.

  • Maintaining confidential employee records and HR information systems (HRIS).

  • Ensuring compliance with employment laws and regulations, and recommending best practices for HR policies and procedures.

• Cross-Department Collaboration:

  • Work closely with HR colleagues and department managers to ensure a consistent and positive onboarding experience across the organization.

  • Communicate regularly with hiring managers to inform them of new hires' progress and any concerns.

  • Responding to employee inquiries regarding HR policies, benefits, and payroll.

  • Assisting with employee relations matters, including addressing grievances, disciplinary actions, and promoting a positive workplace culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.

• 2-4 years of HR experience focusing on onboarding or recruitment.

• Experience in 940 and 941 forms is required.

• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Proficiency with HRIS (Human Resources Information Systems) and onboarding software.

• Proficiency with payroll management software (e.g., Paychex, QuickBooks, Prism, TimeCo)

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion

• Able to work in Sacramento, CA

Benefits

• Dental

• Vision

• Medical

• 401k

• Paid Leave