Human Resources Generalist

FirstService Residential; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401K match

Tuition reimbursement

Flexible spending account

Job summary

A leading property management firm in California is seeking a Human Resources Generalist to provide day-to-day HR support across multiple locations. The ideal candidate will manage employee relations, onboarding processes, and ensure compliance with California's employment laws. This role requires 3–5 years of HR experience and strong knowledge of HRIS systems. Benefits include medical plans, a 401K match, and a supportive work environment focused on employee growth and satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of California employment laws, including CFRA and FMLA.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct employee relations investigations.
• Experience managing leave of absence cases.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day HR support for multiple locations.
• Conduct employee relations investigations and summary reports.
• Facilitate new hire orientation sessions and ensure onboarding compliance.

Skills

Strong knowledge of California employment laws

Experience in employee relations investigations

Interpersonal and communication skills

Attention to detail

Proficiency with HRIS systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related

3–5 years of HR Generalist experience

Tools

HRIS (ADP, Workday or similar)

Job description

Join to apply for the Human Resources Generalist role at FirstService Residential.

Annual base pay range: $71,000 – $75,000 (depending on experience and interview performance).

Job Overview

The HR Generalist provides day‑to‑day HR support primarily for our Orange County and Los Angeles locations while working out of our Irvine corporate office. This role serves as a trusted partner to associates and leaders, offering guidance in employee relations, leave of absence management, wage and hour compliance, onboarding, and general HR administration. The HR Generalist helps ensure consistent and positive employee experience across multiple sites while maintaining compliance with California’s complex employment laws. The role also facilitates new hire orientation, supports performance and development processes, and collaborates with cross‑functional teams to advance HR initiatives. The ideal candidate is proactive, detail‑oriented, and able to build strong relationships in a fast‑paced, people‑focused environment.

Compensation

Compensation: $71,000 – $75,000. FirstService Residential will compensate the successful candidate in accordance with the posted range. The salary or wage paid to the successful candidate will be commensurate with experience, education, and specific job responsibilities.

Employee Relations & Compliance

• Serve as a point of contact for employee relations questions, concerns, and policy interpretations.
• Conduct and support employee relations investigations, ensuring objective, timely, and well‑documented findings.
• Partner with HR leadership to recommend corrective actions, coaching, or development plans as appropriate.
• Conduct exit interviews and summarize themes or concerns for HR leadership.
• Ensure all HR practices comply with federal, state, and California employment laws.

Leave of Absence Management

• Manage the end‑to‑end leave of absence process in partnership with the centralized leave team.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of CA leave laws, including CFRA, PDL, FMLA, WC, Paid Sick Leave, and other state‑specific leave requirements.
• Provide guidance to employees and leaders on leave eligibility, expected timelines, and return‑to‑work processes.
• Support reasonable accommodation and interactive process discussions under ADA and FEHA.

Wage & Hour Compliance

• Support California wage & hour practices, including meal and rest break compliance.
• Review, follow up, and elevate missed meal/rest break alerts and ensure premium pay is applied as appropriate.
• Assist with CA EDD inquiries and unemployment claims, providing timely and accurate documentation.
• Partner with Payroll on timekeeping concerns, pay corrections, and audit responses.

Onboarding & Orientation

• Facilitate new hire orientation sessions, ensuring engaging, compliant, and accurate onboarding experience.
• Oversee new hire paperwork, I‑9/E‑Verify compliance, and system onboarding tasks.
• Partner with hiring managers to ensure smooth transitions for new associates.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition to support the candidate‑to‑new‑hire transition.

General HR Support

• Assist leaders with performance management, coaching, and documentation.
• Maintain employee records, reports, and HRIS data with accuracy and confidentiality.
• Support HR projects, trainings, and initiatives as needed to enhance culture, development, and engagement.
• Coordinate with leaders to ensure required compliance training are assigned, completed, and tracked in accordance with company and state requirements.
• Coordinate and support final pay processing in accordance with California’s regulatory requirements, partnering closely with Payroll to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
• Ensure adherence to company policies, SOPs, and safety standards.
• Model and reinforce the company’s core values and global service standards in all interactions.

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of California employment laws, including CFRA, PDL, FMLA, FEHA, ADA/Interactive Process, and CA wage & hour rules.
• Experience managing leave of absence cases in partnership with a leave team or third‑party administrator.
• Experience with meal and rest break compliance and wage/hour auditing.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct or support employee relations investigations with confidentiality and professionalism.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship‑building skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail with strong follow‑through and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proficiency with HRIS systems (ADP, Workday, or similar) preferred.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with leaders and associates at all levels.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 3–5 years of HR Generalist experience, including responsibility for employee relations investigations.
• Experience supporting a multi‑site, CA‑based workforce strongly preferred.
• Professional certifications such as PHR, SHRM‑CP, or PHRca are a plus.

Physical Requirements and Working Environment

• This position is a full in‑office role, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (exempt).
• Work is performed primarily in a professional office environment.
• Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer workstation.
• Finger dexterity is required for typing, data entry, and use of a keyboard and other office equipment.
• Talking and hearing occur regularly in the process of communicating with employees, leaders, candidates, vendors, and onsite partners.
• Occasional movement within the office, including walking, standing, reaching, or lifting items up to 25 lbs (such as files, binders, or office supplies), may be required.
• Occasional travel to local onsite locations may be required for meetings and support needs; a valid California driver’s license and state‑mandated auto insurance are required.

Tools & Equipment Used

General office equipment.

What We Offer

• Medical, dental, and vision plans (full time and part time 30+ hours)
• Part time 20+ hours qualify for dental and vision
• 401K match
• Time off including vacation, sick, and company paid holidays
• Pet insurance available
• Tuition reimbursement
• Legal services
• Free emotional wellbeing and daily life assistance support for all associates
• Domestic partner coverage
• Health savings account
• Flexible spending account

About Us

FirstService Residential transforms the property management landscape by providing professional association management services to over 9,000 residential communities across the United States and Canada. Our dedication to associate satisfaction and growth is recognized by our Great Place to Work certification, exemplifying our commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture. Our 19,000 associates can count on competitive salaries, top‑tier medical, dental, and retirement benefits, career training, and support for continued professional development. Experience exceptional service with a fulfilling career in property management with FirstService Residential. To learn more about our company and culture, please visit www.fsresidential.com/california.

Equal Opportunity Employer

FirstService Residential is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, parental status, ancestry, disability, gender identity, veteran status, genetic information, other distinguishing characteristics of diversity and inclusion, or any other protected status. Qualified applicants with arrest and/or conviction records will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with federal and state laws, as well as applicable local ordinances. All offers of employment with FirstService Residential are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

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