HRAcademia is a Southern California-based HR consulting firm that works exclusively with independent schools. We partner with client schools on both project-based and retained engagements, essentially serving as each school's outsourced HR department. As we continue to grow, we're looking for an experienced HR Support Specialist to join our team in this fully remote role.We're a close-knit team that takes real pride in the work we do.
Being responsive and genuinely helpful to our clients comes first, and we back that up by looking out for each other. We value work/life balance and the different strengths and perspectives each person brings to the team.
Summary of Position The HR Support Specialist provides administrative and operational HR support to client schools, working closely with the HR Client Partner.
The Client
Partner leads on strategic matters and serves as the primary contact for school leadership, while the Support Specialist serves as the day-to-day point of contact for employees, handling onboarding, documentation management, and recruitment logistics. The two coordinate closely to ensure timely, aligned service delivery, and the Support Specialist may also step in as backup support during team absences or peak periods, keeping HR service consistent and responsive. Together, they deliver support that covers both the strategic and operational sides of each client relationship.
Essential Functions
Collaborate regularly with HR Client Partner, including weekly internal check-ins, to ensure alignment on client needs, priorities, and requests.
Manage one client HR inbox, respond to routine client and employee inquiries, provide administrative support to assigned client schools, and escalate complex or sensitive matters to the HR Client Partner as appropriate.
Draft and revise HR documents such as offer letters, employment agreements, job descriptions, onboarding packets and termination packets, and maintain accurate HRIS entries.
Coordinate onboarding and offboarding processes, including new hire setup in Paylocity and Paycor, mandated training assignments, and related HR documentation, ensuring processes are accurate, consistent, and aligned with client expectations and applicable requirements.
Ensure SB 848 compliance for new hires, including assigning mandated reporter (MR) training and confirming completion, obtaining and tracking required authorization forms, verifying prior educational institution employers and tracking responses and follow-up, and maintaining documentation in employee files.
Handle benefits administration tasks, including adding eligible employees to the benefits platform, entering benefit deductions into the payroll system, and connecting employees with the benefits broker for plan-related questions.
Extract and reconcile employee data across HRIS platforms, ensuring accuracy during system transitions.
Monitor client timekeeping dashboards on a regular basis, identifying errors and resolving or escalating them promptly.
Facilitate recruiting processes, including job postings, interview scheduling and coordination, candidate communication, and provide job description copies to hiring managers for review and pay range approval.
Assist with payroll/HRIS onboarding troubleshooting, coordinating directly with vendor representatives to resolve issues.
Maintain organized personnel files and records across HR platforms (e.g., Paycor, Paylocity, Google Drive, Dropbox).
Provide administrative support for workers' compensation claims, including maintaining documentation, coordinating claim-related communications, and assisting the HR Client Partner as appropriate.
Act as backup support for assigned client schools as needed, ensuring operational continuity in the absence of the HR Client Partner.
Participate in internal development opportunities and contribute to team-wide projects as assigned.
Maintain current knowledge of California employment law, HR trends, and best practices relevant to independent schools.
HRAcademia Professional Requirements of all Team Members
Participating in ongoing professional development through in-house training, HRA-promoted webinars, and other approved learning opportunities.
Commitment to maintaining the highest level of confidentiality of all client matters and information.
Commitment to promoting workplace inclusivity and acceptance.
Maintaining clear and timely communication within the team to ensure relevant team members are informed of client updates, priorities, and outstanding matters.
Acknowledging and responding to all emails - client, internal, and other professional contacts - within one business day.
Practicing virtual meeting etiquette at all times, as outlined in the HRA Employee Handbook.
Education / Certifications
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field - or equivalent relevant experience.
PHR, SHRM-CP, or similar HR certification or desire to obtain preferred.
Skills, Specialized Knowledge, Experience
3+ years of experience in HR or administrative operations.
Thorough knowledge of standard Federal and California State HR practices and procedures.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fully remote environment.
Professional objectivity and consistent, fair treatment of everyone you work with.
Exceptional problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Strong computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Drive), Adobe Acrobat, Docusign, and communication tools such as Zoom, Slack, and Calendly.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a professional, approachable presence.
Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple client projects simultaneously and ability to pivot when client urgencies arise.
As we've grown, we've started building out our benefits offerings, including a $350/month company contribution toward your health coverage if you enroll in our benefits plan. We've also added an annual week-long team retreat where employees are welcome to bring their family. Recent retreats have been: Palm Springs in 2024, the Big Island of Hawaii in 2025, Paso Robles wine country this year, and Mammoth Lakes on the books for 2027.
HRA is a great place to work. Our team is the best. If you are the best, too, we want to hear from you.
Pay: $26.00 - $29.00 per hour
Expected hours: No less than 40.0 per week
Benefits
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Parental leave
Professional development assistance
Vision insurance
Education:
Bachelor's (Preferred)
Experience:
remote: 1 year (Preferred)
HR or administrative operations: 3 years (Required)
Work Location: Remote