Immediate Opening! We are seeking a motivated and experienced HR Specialist who is looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity to join our team! Must be a people-person, with skills and interest in Admin duties, and an interest for Wildlife and Conservation in general.

The ideal candidate will thrive on working on multiple projects, be outgoing and energized by working with people, have excellent administrative skills, and the ability to motivate, help, and inspire others.
We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, opportunities for learning, and a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive workplace culture.

Join us and make a difference in the lives of our guests, staff, community, and wildlife in general!

Status: Non-Exempt, Full Time
Compensation: $23.10 - $25.20/hour, DOE Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday, with Sunday/Monday off, any time between 8:00 AM and 5:30PM

SUMMARY:

Our people are key to achieving our mission. We need to attract, recruit, support and retain a high performing, highly engaged workforce committed to learning and making a positive impact.

Under the direction of the Director of HR, as our HR Specialist: People and Culture, you will be responsible for coordinating and engaging in many aspects of the HR function, including: attracting and recruiting candidates, onboarding and training new hires, building and maintaining a positive organizational culture (with the rest of the team), coordinating employee benefits enrollment and wellness initiatives, ensuring all related HR administrative duties are completed accurately and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, managing uniform inventory and distribution, coordinating some Diversity, Equity, Access and Inclusion (DEAI) initiatives, acting as an HR partner with managers, connecting staff to the organization's mission, and providing HR administrative and coordination support for some employee lifecycle activities and HR initiatives in general.

Job Description
ESSENTIAL DUTIES include the following:

• Develop and execute selection, recruiting and outreach strategies to attract and hire qualified candidates
• Responsible for the orientation program for new hires, ensuring a first-class employee experience that sets team members up for success in a fun and professional manner
• Support connection and belonging by implementing culture initiatives to foster collaboration, the development and maintenance of a positive organizational culture through initiatives such as employee engagement surveys, recognition programs, events, education, and opportunities for team building
• Assist with planning, and coordinate and participate in Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) initiatives to foster an inclusive and diverse workplace culture
• Assist with planning, and coordinate and conduct employee wellness initiatives, including health and wellness programs, employee assistance programs, and other wellness-related activities
• Connect staff to the organization's mission and values through effective communication and engagement initiatives
• Provide employee benefits education, coordinate and conduct Open Enrollment in collaboration with Insurance Broker. Assist employees with benefits-related inquiries
• In collaboration with Director of HR, ensure compliance with applicable Federal & CA laws and regulations regarding onboarding paperwork. Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee records for trainings, onboarding, and milestone check-in calendars for managers as well as training reminder notifications
• Maintain confidentiality of employee information
• Manage uniform inventory and distribution, including coordinating laundering services and processing name tags
• Provide administrative support for HR initiatives, such as employee engagement and retention programs, HR process improvement projects, lunch and learn sessions, recognition, and other HR related initiatives
• Other duties as assigned

Key Attributes are:

• Positive attitude and strong ethics
• Demonstrated outstanding level of professionalism in providing support, including the ability to exercise good judgment, discretion, tact, and diplomacy
• Attention to detail and excellent organizational and coordination skills
• Effective time-management skills with emphasis on quality and timely completion of tasks
• Willingness to listen and learn
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with minimal supervision

Education and Experience:

• B.A. or B.S. with course work in business administration, psychology, HR/personnel management, or 4+ years of hands-on paid experience in a related field. SHRM certification or HR Certificate a plus.
• Minimum two years of professional experience in administrative or event coordinator capacity, recruiting and onboarding, or learning and development roles preferred

License, Certification, or Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a zoo, aquarium, museum or nature center setting a plus
• Successful completion of a Department of Justice background check
• Excellent computer skills, working knowledge of ATS, Recruiting, Onboarding, LMS, Benefits and HRIS systems/platforms, and demonstrated skills in database management and record keeping.
• Ability to certify in First Aid and CPR
• Valid California State driver’s license with good driving record

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Hands on experience and demonstrated track record of HR/People/Culture work
• Basic knowledge of CA Labor Laws preferred
• Comfortable using and improving various systems and processes, as well as with adopting and using new technology
• Excellent time management, organizational, coordination, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English; Spanish a plus
• Ability to maintain regular and consistent attendance and punctuality
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with minimal supervision, and to take the initiative to independently complete all tasks within a timely manner, creatively problem solving when necessary
• Ability to multitask successfully
• Ability to function well and adapt to a fast-paced work environment while remaining attentive to detail, calm and composed
• Advanced working knowledge of databases and spreadsheets (Microsoft Suite)
• Handle data with a high degree of accuracy and confidentiality
• A flexible, upbeat, “can do attitude”.
• Ability to be engaged, eager to learn and to assist, and to collaborate
• Project management skills with a focus on detailed planning and execution
• Analytical mindset for process improvement
• Ability to speak effectively in front of large groups of people in an engaging manner
• Active Listening skills: ability to give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Ability to problem solve effectively: identify and resolve problems in a timely manner, review related information to develop and evaluate options and recommend or implement solutions.
• Critical Thinking skills: ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions and approaches to problems. Use reason event when dealing with emotional topics.
• Ability to remain calm and composed in times of emergency and stress, and to make sound decisions quickly.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, discretion, tact, and diplomacy
• Basic knowledge of biology and zoology concepts a plus
• Ability to interact courteously and respectfully with supervisors, fellow employees, volunteers, and our guests.
• Ability to exercise safe work habits.
• Awareness of, sensitivity to, and empathy with animals.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Available to work Saturdays, and occasional holidays, some evenings for training sessions, and when events are scheduled.
• Ability to attend events at different locations locally for outreach (ie Job Expo, Job Fairs, Career Centers, etc.)
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to occasionally move items weighing 10 pounds frequently, and up to 30 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position for up to 2 hours
• Ability to negotiate the zoo work environment including behind-the-scenes, lawns, gravel, hilltop
• Ability to physically operate a variety of office machines and equipment including telephones, printers, projectors, and copiers
• Ability to work successfully in shared work space environment, with interruptions and some conversations taking place
• Supportive and open employment culture

Tools Used:

• Standard office equipment
• Personal computer and software (MS Suite, incl. Word, Excel, Outlook, Applicant and Onboarding platform, Learning Management System, Zoom platform, etc.)
• Two-way radio
• Audio-visual equipment
• Electric cart
• Boxes
• Name Tags printer and name tags
• Vehicle

Please make sure to check your spam folder if you do not see an email response from the Zoo.
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The Zoo reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description does not constitute a contract for employment, and does not guarantee employment for any specified period of time. The job description does not in any way alter the at-will employment relationship.

The Santa Barbara Zoo is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas.