HR Generalist

SmartStop Self Storage; San Clemente (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Generous PTO and holiday schedule

401(k) with immediate matching

Employee assistance program

Job summary

SmartStop Self Storage, headquartered in California, is hiring an HR Generalist to support recruitment, onboarding, compliance, and employee experience across regions. You will partner with the Director of People & Culture and manage full-cycle recruitment for corporate positions.

This on-site role requires California HR experience, strong communication, and a proactive, customer-service mindset. We offer competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and a collaborative culture that values growth

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field.
• 3+ years of HR Generalist experience in a multi-site, multi-state company.
• Hands-on HR experience in California (required).
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Own corporate recruitment process from start to finish, partnering with hiring managers.
• Handle store-level new hires, terminations, offers, background checks, and forms.
• Manage leaves of absence and workers' compensation claims in designated districts.
• Serve as primary HR contact for field staff within regions.
• Provide guidance to Regional and District Managers on HR matters.
• Process unemployment and workers' comp claims with documentation.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Respond to inquiries from applicants, employees, and managers.
• Act as subject matter expert for HRIS and Applicant Tracking systems.
• Maintain data accuracy and support a positive, inclusive culture.

Skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Conflict resolution

Customer service mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

ClearCo

Job description

Career Opportunities with SmartStop Self Storage

A great place to work.

Join a Company That’s Changing the Game!

At SmartStop® Self Storage, we believe in embracing change, driving innovation, and elevating every team member’s journey.

About Us

SmartStop® Self Storage (NYSE: SMA) is one of the largest self-storage operators in North America and a publicly traded real estate investment trust. Headquartered in sunny Ladera Ranch, California, SmartStop owns or manages more than 460 self-storage properties across 35 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Canada, comprising over 270,000 units and more than 35 million rentable square feet.

Our fully integrated team of more than 1,000 self-storage professionals is dedicated to delivering exceptional customer experience and driving long-term value for our customers, investors, and communities.

SmartStop’s commitment to service excellence and workplace culture has been recognized with multiple industry honors, including being named to Newsweek’s Best Customer Service Award (2021, 2023 and 2024), earning the Reputation 800 Award (2022-2023), and being recognized as a Top Workplace in Orange County (2022-2024), an award based entirely on employee feedback regarding our culture, leadership, and values.

We’re growing fast — and we want you to grow with us.

Salary: $75,000 – $80,000 (based on experience) + annual discretionary bonus

Location: 100% on-site at our beautiful Ladera Ranch, CA corporate office.

HR Generalist Job Summary

As an HR Generalist, you will report directly to the Director of People & Culture and serve as a trusted partner for our teams across multiple regions. You’ll handle a variety of HR functions — from recruitment to onboarding to compliance — while helping us create an outstanding employee experience at every stage of their journey.

What You’ll Do

• Own the corporate recruitment process from start to finish, ensuring a positive candidate experience and timely fill of open positions. Partnering with corporate office hiring managers, you will manage full-cycle recruitment for open positions at the corporate office, from initial requisition through offer acceptance.
• Process all requests for store-level new hires and terminations, including but not limited to offer letters; background checks; communications between hiring managers and field staff members and corporate level staff members; and all necessary internal forms within their designated region(s) within the Company.
• Process and manages all leaves of absence and workers compensation claims within their designated districts.
• Serve as the primary contact for all HR related questions for all field staff within their assigned region(s).
• Provide guidance and support to the Regional and District Managers within their assigned region(s).
• Process, review and respond to unemployment and workers comp claims with appropriate documentation. Review unemployment statements.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommend best practices; review policies and practices to maintain compliance.
• Handle employment-related inquiries from applicants, employees, and managers, referring complex and/or sensitive matters to the appropriate staff.
• Serve as the subject matter expert to the field employees on all HR related software and platforms.
• Manage and maintain the integrity of the HRIS and Applicant Tracking systems, routinely running reports and audits to ensure the highest level of data accuracy.
• Provide an example of possessing the Company’s core values and consistently fosters a positive and inclusive work environment.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field
• 3+ years of HR Generalist experience in a multi-site, multi-state company
• Hands-on HR experience in California (required)
• ADP Workforce Now & ClearCo – helpful but not required
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills
• Proven ability to manage priorities, deadlines, and confidential matters with professionalism
• A collaborative, proactive, customer service, and can-do mindset

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Competitive salary + bonus opportunity
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Generous PTO and holiday schedule
• 401(k) with immediate matching
• Employee assistance and referral programs
• A supportive, inclusive culture where great people do great work

Lead Together.