Human Resources Generalist

Vaco; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco by Highspring is seeking an experienced HR Generalist to join its Orange County HR team. This hands-on role supports employees and managers across day-to-day HR functions, balancing employee support, compliance, administration, and HR operations.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of progressive HR Generalist experience, strong knowledge of California employment practices, and is comfortable with HRIS, payroll coordination, and handling confidential information.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of HR experience in a broad Generalist capacity
• Strong knowledge of California employment practices and regulations
• Experience with onboarding, payroll coordination, employee records, compliance, and separations
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience with HRIS platforms and Microsoft Office
• Ability to handle sensitive information professionally
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience preferred
• Multi-state HR exposure is a plus

Responsibilities

• Support HR activities across the employee lifecycle including hiring, onboarding, changes, and separations
• Maintain employee records and HR system information
• Assist with payroll-related processes, timekeeping, and data
• Support leaves of absence, workplace claims, and related documentation
• Be a resource to employees and managers on HR policies and procedures
• Ensure compliance with California and federal employment regulations
• Participate in employee engagement and recognition initiatives
• Assist with HR reporting, audits, and process improvements
• Partner with HR leadership on escalated employee matters

Skills

5+ years HR experience

California HR practices

HRIS

Payroll coordination

Documentation & compliance

Confidential information handling

Communication skills

Bachelor's degree preferred

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

HRIS

Job description

We are partnering with a well-established organization in Orange County seeking an experienced HR Generalist to join its Human Resources team. This is a hands-on role supporting employees and managers across a variety of day-to-day HR functions. The ideal candidate is a well-rounded HR professional who enjoys being involved in multiple areas of HR, thrives in a collaborative environment, and is comfortable balancing employee support, compliance, administration, and HR operations.

Key Responsibilities

HR Generalist - Temp to Hire

About the Opportunity

We are partnering with a well-established organization in Orange County seeking an experienced HR Generalist to join its Human Resources team. This is a hands-on role supporting employees and managers across a variety of day-to-day HR functions. The ideal candidate is a well-rounded HR professional who enjoys being involved in multiple areas of HR, thrives in a collaborative environment, and is comfortable balancing employee support, compliance, administration, and HR operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Support HR activities throughout the employee lifecycle, including hiring, onboarding, employee changes, and separations
• Maintain employee records, documentation, and HR system information
• Assist with payroll-related processes, timekeeping, and employee data
• Support leaves of absence, workplace claims, and related documentation
• Serve as a resource to employees and managers regarding HR policies, procedures, and general employee questions
• Help ensure compliance with applicable California and federal employment regulations
• Participate in employee engagement, recognition, and other people-focused initiatives
• Assist with HR reporting, audits, and process improvements
• Partner with HR leadership on employee matters requiring additional guidance or escalation

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, ideally in a broad Generalist capacity
• Strong knowledge of California employment practices and regulations
• Experience supporting areas such as onboarding, payroll coordination, employee records, compliance, and employee separations
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Comfortable working with HRIS platforms and Microsoft Office
• Ability to work with sensitive and confidential information professionally
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience preferred
• Multi-state HR exposure is a plus

What Makes This Opportunity Attractive

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys being a true HR Generalist and wants exposure across multiple areas of the HR function. The position offers variety, visibility, and the opportunity to work closely with both employees and leadership while helping strengthen HR processes and the overall employee experience.

By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions.

Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] .

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

Representation Notice

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

For residents of Ontario, Canada only: to the extent the position for employment is not with Highspring or not otherwise noted as vacant above, candidate should be informed that this role is to replace a presently employed person at Vaco by Highspring's client.

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

• the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
• licensure and certification requirements;
• office location and other geographic considerations; and
• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).