Human Resources Manager

Land Trust of Santa Cruz County; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County is looking for an experienced HR Manager to oversee compliance, recruitment, benefits, performance management, HR systems (Rippling), and employee relations. This is a hands-on, in-person role based in Santa Cruz, CA with a 32–40 hour workweek.

We seek a collaborative professional with 3–5 years of HR leadership and knowledge of California employment laws, to drive HR programs and support organizational growth in a nonprofit setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field.
• HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP) or equivalent within a year with Land Trust support.
• 3–5 years of experience managing an HR function, preferably nonprofit or mission-driven.
• Knowledge of California and federal employment laws and HR best practices.
• Experience advising employees and supervisors on sensitive relations and performance matters.

Responsibilities

• Oversee HR functions and day-to-day HR administration ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
• Maintain and update employee policies, procedures, and handbook.
• Serve as a resource to employees and supervisors regarding HR policies and workplace expectations.
• Oversee workplace safety program and incident follow-up; coordinate safety training.
• Manage workers’ compensation administration and coordination with carrier.

Skills

HR knowledge

California employment laws

Employee relations

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field

HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP) or equivalent

Tools

Rippling

Asana

Job description

Position Snapshot

Department: Admin + Ops
Status: Full-time, non-exempt
Location: Santa Cruz Office, in person
Wage: $46/hour, 32-40 hours a week

Overview

The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County (Land Trust) is a nonprofit organization at the forefront of environmental conservation in Santa Cruz County by protecting, caring for, and stewarding more than 19,000 acres of important habitat and farmland in the last 48 years. The Land Trust is seeking a motivated and collaborative person, experienced in human resources, to serve as the organization’s first Human Resources (HR) Manager. The Land Trust employs nearly 40 full-time and part-time employees whose talent and experience are the source of the organization’s success.

The HR Manager will provide compliance expertise, oversee recruitment and hiring, administer employee benefits, coordinate performance management, manage HR systems, and support effective employee relations. Working closely with the Senior Operations Manager and Leadership Team, the HR Manager will implement HR programs, advise supervisors, oversee workplace safety and internal training programs, and contribute to broader Admin + Operations initiatives.

Work Schedule & Location

This position is expected to work 32–40 hours per week, generally during regular business hours of 8 am–5 pm, Monday through Friday. The specific weekly schedule will be established with the selected candidate based on organizational needs and mutual agreement. Occasional evening and weekend work is required. This position will work in the downtown Santa Cruz, CA office.

Responsibilities

Human Resources Administration, Safety & Compliance

• Oversee the organization’s human resources functions and day-to-day HR administration ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Maintain and update employee policies, procedures, and handbook in alignment with best practices and organizational values.
• Serve as a resource to employees and supervisors regarding HR policies, workplace expectations, and employment-related questions.
• Oversee the organization’s workplace safety program, including maintaining required plans and documentation, coordinating safety training, supporting incident reporting and follow-up, and partnering with supervisors and staff to foster a strong culture of safety.
• Manage workers’ compensation administration and compliance, including injury reporting, claims coordination, employee communication, return-to-work processes, and coordination with the organization’s workers’ compensation carrier and other partners.

Recruitment, Hiring & Onboarding

• Lead and coordinate recruitment and hiring processes, including job descriptions, compensation, postings, interview logistics, candidate communications, and offer documentation.
• Partner with hiring managers to support equitable and effective selection processes.
• Lead onboarding for new employees, ensuring a welcoming and consistent experience.

Compensation & Benefits

• Administer employee benefits programs, such as health insurance, retirement plans, leave policies, and wellness offerings.
• Support compensation planning and salary administration in collaboration with leadership.
• Manage the Pay Bands and Steps system, recommend updates, review change requests, and integrate these into the annual employee review process.
• Partner with brokers to research, evaluate, and recommend enhancements to employee benefit offerings.

Employee Relations & Performance Support

• Support positive employee relations, employee engagement, recognition programs, coaching, and problem-solving.
• Oversee and manage employee recognition programs and initiatives, including ongoing efforts to celebrate employee contributions, milestones, and accomplishments and strengthen a culture of appreciation.
• Support supervisors with performance management processes, goal setting, feedback, and employee development.
• Advise and support supervisors in addressing workplace concerns, employee conduct, conflict resolution, disciplinary processes, and separations in a fair and consistent manner.

Training, Procedures & Professional Development

• Coordinate and implement organization-wide training initiatives, including required compliance and safety training, internal training programs, and professional development opportunities.
• Lead the development and ongoing maintenance of organizational career pathways and career ladders, partnering with leadership and supervisors to establish clear and equitable opportunities for employee growth and advancement.
• Support employee professional development by helping identify development opportunities, resources, and training that align individual growth with organizational needs.
• Coordinate the development and maintenance of organizational standard operating procedures, training guides, and other internal resources to support consistent practices and organizational knowledge sharing.
• Track required certifications, training, and employee development plans as applicable.

HR Systems & Data Management (Rippling)

• Maintain accurate employee records, reporting, workflows, and HR documentation within the Rippling platform.
• Recommend and implement process improvements for HR operations and employee experience.
• Prepare and analyze HR data related to compensation, workforce trends, recruitment, and other organizational needs to support compliance, planning, and informed decision-making.

Admin + Operations Support

• Support Admin + Operations projects, process improvements, and organization-wide initiatives in partnership with the Senior Operations Manager and department staff.
• Participate in Land Trust events as part of the organization’s all-staff event staffing expectations, including occasional evening and weekend events.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Ability & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP, or equivalent) or the ability to obtain certification within a year of employment with Land Trust support.
• 3-5 years of experience, including experience independently managing an organization’s HR function, preferably in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
• Working knowledge of California and federal employment laws and HR best practices, including employee relations, wage and hour, leave and accommodations, benefits, and workplace compliance.
• Experience advising employees and supervisors on sensitive employee relations and performance management matters.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build trust, exercise discretion, and communicate sensitive or complex information clearly and respectfully.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities independently.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Ability & Experience

• Experience managing HR systems (HRIS), such as Rippling or similar platforms.
• Experience with project management systems, such as Asana or similar platforms.
• Experience supporting equity-centered HR practices and inclusive workplace culture.
• Familiarity with the greater Santa Cruz County region and demonstrated interest in the Land Trust’s conservation work.
• Experience working in an organization with distributed or field-based staff.