HR Generalist

LifeMoves; Santa Clara (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

LifeMoves is seeking an HR Generalist to support multi-site operations in a hybrid role with in-office days on Mondays and Wednesdays and optional remote work up to three days per week. The candidate will partner with leadership to advance compliant, trauma-informed HR practices across the organization.

The ideal candidate has California HR experience, strong investigation and coaching skills, and the ability to design learning programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required.
• HR certification strongly preferred (SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP or PHR/SPHR).

Responsibilities

• Independently manage a high-volume, high-complexity employee relations caseload, including escalations, investigations, performance management, corrective action, and resolution planning.
• Lead and/or partner on complex workplace investigations; document findings and recommend appropriate action.
• Advise on ADA accommodations and the interactive process, ensuring trauma-informed practices and documentation.
• Design, develop, facilitate, and continuously improve learning and development initiatives.
• Maintain and update HR policies, procedures, templates, and supervisor tools; recommend improvements based on trends and legal updates.
• Deliver training and coaching to managers on performance management and policy application.
• Support HR compliance efforts, including recordkeeping, audits, and postings; stay current on changes in employment law.
• Collaborate with Payroll to ensure accurate data and compensation updates; leverage HR data to identify trends.

Skills

California HR experience

AD A/interactive process

FMLA/CFRA knowledge

Communication coaching

HR data analysis

HRIS proficiency

Microsoft Office

DeiB trauma‑informed approach

Organization & prioritization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business

SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP or PHR/SPHR recommended

Tools

HRIS systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

About Lifemoves

LifeMoves is the largest and most effective provider of interim housing and services for homelessness in Silicon Valley since 1987. Our Mission is to end homelessness by providing interim housing, supportive services, and building collaborative partnerships. With over two dozen interim supportive housing communities and more on the way, LifeMoves gives our neighbors experiencing homelessness a temporary place to call home while providing intensive, customized case management through site-based programs and community outreach.

POSITION PURPOSE

Reporting to the Sr. HR Generalist, the HR Generalist serves as a trusted advisor to the HR team, leaders and employees across LifeMoves’ multi-site operations, helping advance a consistent, inclusive, and compliant workplace culture in support of our mission to end homelessness.

This role serves as a resource for employment law and policy interpretation, partnering closely with the VP of HR and Sr. HR Generalist to ensure consistent, equitable, and risk-aware practices across the organization. The HR Generalist independently manages a high-volume, high-complexity employee relations caseload, including escalations, performance management, investigations, corrective action, and guidance to leaders. They collaborate with the team member responsible for leaves, benefits, and workers’ compensation and serve as the escalation point for HR-law and compliance questions, translating employment law into practical, trauma-informed approaches that support strong decisions, documentation, and resolution.

In addition, this role partners with the VP of HR and Sr. HR Generalist to design, develop, facilitate, and continuously improve learning and development initiatives, including leadership and staff development, new hire onboarding, policy education, and other organizational training programs that strengthen leadership capability and organizational effectiveness.

The ideal candidate is proactive, highly organized, and approachable, with strong judgment and a continuous-improvement mindset. They bring a trauma-informed, people-centered approach to problem solving and communication, and are skilled at navigating change with empathy, clarity, and accountability.

This role is hybrid, with in-office days on Mondays and Wednesdays (minimum two days per week), and the option to work remotely up to three days per week.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Independently manage a high-volume, high-complexity employee relations caseload, including escalations, performance management, investigations, corrective action, resolution planning and terminations.
• Lead and/or partner on complex workplace investigations; document findings and recommend appropriate action.
• Receives guidance from the VP of HR and Sr. HR Generalist and provides day-to-day HR-law and compliance guidance to our leadership team, and the HR team member responsible for leaves, benefits, and workers’ compensation; serve as an escalation point for complex questions.
• Advise on ADA accommodations and the interactive process, ensuring consistent, trauma-informed practices and appropriate documentation.
• Partner with the VP of HR and Sr. HR Generalist to design, develop, facilitate, and continuously improve learning and development initiatives.
• Partner with the VP of HR and Sr. HR Generalist to maintain and update HR policies, procedures, templates, and supervisor tools; recommend improvements based on trends, best practices, and legal updates.
• Deliver training and coaching to managers on performance management, documentation, respectful workplace expectations, policy application and termination processes.
• Support HR compliance efforts, including recordkeeping practices, audits, and required postings/processes; stay current on federal, state, and local employment law changes and recommend updates.
• Collaborate with HR colleagues and Payroll to ensure accurate employee data, job changes, and compensation updates; leverage HR data and reporting to identify trends and recommend improvements.
• Partner with the VP of HR, Sr. HR Generalist and outside employment counsel on employee relations matters and legal/agency claims by gathering and organizing records, preparing clear case timelines and summaries, and coordinating timely responses while maintaining confidentiality and consistency.
• Coordinate and support separation and termination processes, including risk-sensitive terminations, by advising leaders on required steps and documentation, partnering with outside counsel as needed, and ensuring the employee experience is handled with dignity, clarity, and a service-oriented, trauma-informed approach.
• Contribute to employee experience initiatives (engagement, retention, recognition) in partnership with the HR team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required.
• HR certification is strongly preferred (SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP or PHR/SPHR).

Qualifications

• 5+ years of California HR experience with complex employee relations, leaves and workers comp cases.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex employee relations caseloads, including escalations, investigations, performance management, corrective action, and separations.
• Working knowledge of ADA/interactive process, FMLA/CFRA, wage and hour law, and regulatory compliance; ability to translate requirements into practical guidance.
• Experience and interest in designing, developing and/or delivering in-person and virtual training.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and conflict-resolution skills; ability to influence at all levels and build trust quickly.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to handle highly sensitive situations with professionalism and confidentiality.
• Highly organized with strong time-management skills; able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, multi-site environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HRIS systems; ability to analyze HR data and identify trends.
• Demonstrated commitment to DEIB and the use of a trauma-informed, people-centered approach in employee relations and communication.

COMPETENCIES

Employment Law and Policy Interpretation: Applies federal, California, and local requirements to real-time decisions, translating complex rules into clear guidance, consistent practices, and compliant documentation across sites.

Employee Relations and Investigation Excellence: Manages high-risk, high-emotion situations with steady judgment, leading performance and conduct processes through investigation, corrective action, and resolution that balances fairness, dignity, and accountability. Conducts or partners on complex investigations with strong fact-finding, impartial analysis, and audit-ready documentation that supports defensible outcomes and reduces organizational risk.

Leaves, Workers Comp, ADA and California Law Expertise: Demonstrates strong knowledge of California leave laws, workers’ compensation processes, ADA accommodations, and related compliance requirements, using that expertise to resolve issues accurately and compassionately. Ensures consistent communication, thorough documentation, and legally sound practices that protect both employees and the organization.

HR Consultation and Operational Support: Serves as the internal escalation point for HR-law and compliance questions, guiding the Employee Relations Manager and the Leaves/Benefits/Workers’ Comp lead with practical solutions, aligned handoffs, and consistent employee communications.

Learning and Development and Facilitation: Designs, delivers, and continuously improves learning and development programs that strengthen leadership capability, manager effectiveness, and employee performance. Facilitates engaging training and fostering a culture of continuous learning.

Trauma-Informed Communication and Change Leadership: Builds trust and drives adoption of HR practices through calm, respectful communication, effective coaching/training, and change navigation that improves employee experience while raising standards.

Additional Requirements

• Satisfactory results of a background check
• Submitting proof of clear TB test results. Results dated within 60 days prior to hire date are acceptable.

Supervisory Responsibilities

N/A

Travel Requirements

Regular travel around the San Francisco Bay Area to our Administrative office, Housing sites and off-site events or meetings as needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adult professionals. The employee must frequently use hands or fingers and handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee must frequently stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities this position requires include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Compensation And Benefits

This rewarding role offers a competitive annual base salary and an opportunity to participate in the LifeMoves benefits package.

LifeMoves is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) committed to building a culturally diverse staff representing the communities we serve. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, physical or mental disability (non-disqualifying), sexual orientation, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, personal favoritism, lived experiences or any other non‑merit-based factor. Candidates who are bilingual/bi‑cultural, of color, Native/Indigenous, with disabilities, who identify as LGBTQIA+, or who are members of other marginalized groups are strongly encouraged to apply. We aim to create and sustain inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environments where everyone can thrive.

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of LifeMoves. Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties, and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the job holder’s responsibility.

If you require disability accommodation during the application process, please contact the Human Resources Department at [phone].