Human Resources (HR) Manager

We are looking for an experienced Human Resources (HR) Manager to join a public sector organization in Salinas, California on a Contract basis through the end of December, with possible extension. This position will provide hands-on support across employee relations, onboarding, recruitment, leave administration, and day-to-day HR operations for a busy workforce. The ideal candidate brings strong knowledge of California employment practices, confidence handling workplace concerns, and the ability to guide managers and employees through complex HR matters.Responsibilities:• Serve as a primary HR resource for employee relations matters, including addressing complaints, supporting investigations, and advising leaders on appropriate next steps.• Oversee onboarding activities for new hires, ensuring required documentation, orientation steps, and a smooth transition into the organization.• Manage leave-related processes and coordinate compliance with applicable federal and California regulations, accommodations, and workers’ compensation matters.• Support recruiting efforts from opening requisitions through candidate selection, offer coordination, pre-employment steps, and onboarding processing.• Provide practical guidance to employees and supervisors on HR policies, workplace expectations, and employment-related procedures.• Maintain accurate personnel records and HR data within designated systems while helping ensure regulatory compliance and audit readiness.• Partner with leadership on performance-related concerns, employee development efforts, and HR initiatives that strengthen the workplace environment.• Use HR technology platforms such as Paylocity and Yardi to support reporting, employee information management, and administrative workflow efficiency.