HR Specialist – Employee Relations & Compliance

USC; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry in Los Angeles, CA is seeking an experienced Human Resource Specialist to support faculty, staff, and leaders through day-to-day HR operations onsite. The role offers a salary range of USD 75,000 to 86,000 per year and opportunities to strengthen employee experience, compliance, and workplace culture through guidance, investigations, and lifecycle support.

You will provide consultation on employee relations, manage investigations, coordinate leave processes,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or a related field.
• At least 3 years of progressively responsible professional HR experience with emphasis on employee relations, leave administration, recruitment, training, and general HR administration.
• Strong knowledge of employment laws, HR best practices, and compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to advise managers and employees, build credibility, and establish trusting relationships across levels of an organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide consultation and guidance to managers and employees on employee relations matters, including performance management, conflict resolution, workplace concerns, and policy interpretation.
• Serve as a trusted HR resource, helping employees and leaders navigate HR processes and workplace challenges with professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment.
• Conduct workplace investigations in a fair, timely, objective, and confidential manner, with proper documentation, resolution, and follow-up.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records and HR systems to support reporting, compliance, workforce planning, and process improvement.
• Support the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, benefits administration, employee support, and offboarding.
• Collaborate with the payroll team to help administer payroll accurately and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, university policies, and established procedures.
• Work with the Leave Administrator to coordinate leave of absence programs, serving as a knowledgeable resource throughout the leave process.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of protected leaves, including medical, family, and disability leaves; maintain documentation; coordinate with benefits and payroll partners; monitor leave status and return-to-work requirements; and support compliance with federal, state, and university policies.
• Design, coordinate, and facilitate training and development programs to strengthen employee capabilities, support leadership growth, and promote compliance and engagement.
• Assist in developing and implementing HR policies, procedures, programs, and best practices that support a positive and inclusive workplace.
• Partner with managers and university colleagues to improve processes, strengthen engagement, and enhance overall employee experience.
• Communicate HR programs, resources, and initiatives clearly to faculty and staff.
• Collaborate across the university to advance shared HR goals and ensure Ostrow employees receive responsive, consistent, high-quality HR support.

Skills

Employee relations

Leave administration

Recruitment

Training

HR administration

Communication

Discretion

Investigations

Project management

AI tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Tools

HRIS systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry in Los Angeles, CA is seeking an experienced Human Resource Specialist to support faculty, staff, and leaders through day-to-day HR operations onsite. The role offers a salary range of USD 75,000 to 86,000 per year and opportunities to strengthen employee experience, compliance, and workplace culture through guidance, investigations, and lifecycle support.

You will provide consultation on employee relations, manage investigations, coordinate leave processes,