Human Resources Manager

Applicants are encouraged to apply early

Founded in 1978, the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County brings diverse communities and organizations together to protect and connect people to the lands that define this special place. We protect and steward farmland, watersheds, wildlife habitat, and land for public access in and around Santa Cruz County to support the environment, economy, and quality of life for future generations of people and wildlife.

• →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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.