Human Resources Associate

Brief Description Immigrant Defenders Law Center (“ImmDef”) is a next-generation, social justice law firm that provides high-quality representation and legal services to immigrants in Southern California and beyond. ImmDef was founded with the belief that no immigrant should be forced to face an unjust immigration system alone and our universal representation programs are a first step towards that goal. ImmDef represents thousands of adults, children and families annually who have multi-faceted, complex and urgent legal needs as they face our unjust immigration system. Learn more

about us
at www.immdef.org. ImmDef is seeking a detail-oriented and dedicated Human Resources Associate to support the goals of the Human Resources Department. The HR Associate will play a key role in the day-to-day operations of the HR team, with responsibilities spanning payroll and HRIS administration, recruitment and onboarding, benefits administration, employee relations, compliance, and HR-related events and initiatives. This position reports directly to the Human Resources Manager and works closely with staff across all departments to ensure HR services are delivered efficiently and in alignment with organizational policies and best practices. This role is primarily based at ImmDef’s downtown Los Angeles office, with occasional local travel to other Southern California offices or event sites as needed. Essential Functions: Payroll & HRIS:
• Accurately enter, maintain, and/or process employee changes in HRIS platform and internal staff management application.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of payroll updates including new hires, terminations, and changes to pay rates ahead of biweekly payroll processing schedule;
• Prepare and maintain accurate records and reports of payroll transactions. Recruiting & Onboarding:
• Post and maintain job ads for all vacancies within the organization;
• Prepare for and assist with new hire orientation program to include overview of policy and culture, internal procedure guidelines and coordinate orientations with other departments.
• Complete I9 and E-Verify for new hires and rehires (if applicable).

Benefits:
• Maintain employee benefits filing systems and ensure benefits changes are entered appropriately in payroll system for payroll deduction;
• Communicate directly with insurance broker regarding staff benefit enrollment, termination, and changes;
• Supports with benefits monthly statement reconciliations to ensure proper billing is taking place.
• Prepare for and assist with new hire benefits orientation. Employee Relations:
• Ensure thorough understanding of ImmDef policies and procedures.
• Promptly and accurately respond to employee relations inquiries, escalating requests when appropriate. HR Administrative Function:
• Conduct audits of various HR files and procedures, and ensure proper corrective action is taken to maintain compliance;
• Provide administrative support to ImmDef's HR program including maintenance of staff files, employee and labor relations support, assistance with performance management initiatives, etc.
• Other administrative tasks as needed to support the HR department, including verifications of employment, running and analyzing reports, preparing correspondence, completing termination procedures for departing staff, assisting with coordination of staff trainings, etc.
• Assist with organization of annual staff appreciation event, holiday party, and other organization-wide events/engagement initiatives;
• Assist with general tasks as part of ImmDef's Admin Team. Competencies:
• Exceptional organizational skills and strong attention to detail are a must;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships across the organization;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Demonstrated proactive approaches to problem solving and ability to think critically and creatively;
• Highly resourceful team player, with the ability to also excel independently;
• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality with highly sensitive information. Requirements Required Education and

Experience:
• B.
A. with 1-3 years’ experience in with Human Resources; or, High School Diploma with 2-4 years’ experience in Human Resources;
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure.
• Enthusiasm for working at a progressive, start-up organization.
• Passion for social justice for immigrants required DACA Recipients encouraged to apply Preferred

Experience:
• Experience with UKG HRIS and/or other Payroll database(s). Additional Eligibility

Qualifications:
• None required for this position. Supervisory Responsibility:
• None Classification and Work Schedule: This is a full-time, non-exempt position. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may work schedule be flexible based on the needs of the organization and/or the qualified candidate. Work Environment and Physical Demands: This job operates in a professional office environment. This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary. Travel: No overnight travel is expected for this position, although there may be occasional local day travel. Other Duties: Please note this

job description
is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Summary The HR Associate is classified as a confidential employee, and this position is not included in the ImmDef employee union bargaining unit. Starting hourly range is $24.00 to $31.00, depending on experience.  Schedule:  ImmDef’s standard work schedule is 35 hours per week, or 70 hours per pay period. The HR Associate will be required to work on-site Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm but may be approved for a flexible schedule after completing new-hire probation. Flexible scheduling options include compressed schedules that allow staff in this position to take up to one day off per week without needing to use paid time off, or to work from home one day per week (after completion of new-hire probation). Holidays and Paid Time Off :
• 13 paid holidays
• 1-Week paid winter break between Christmas Eve and New Years
• 15 vacation days per year
• 15 Sick Days per year Health, Dental and Vision Insurance:
• ImmDef provides health coverage on the first of the month following 30 days on the job.
• We cover 100% of premiums for our base dental and vision plans for our staff members and 75% of base plan dental and vision premiums for their dependents. ImmDef also covers 89% of the base plan medical premiums for our staff and 69% of the base plan medical premiums for their dependents. FSA and Dependent Care FSA:
• ImmDef offers FSA plans to help offset the costs of eligible health care expenses for you, your spouse, and your eligible dependents using pre-tax dollars
• We also offer Dependent Care FSA to pay for eligible dependent care services, such as preschool, summer day camp, before or after school programs, and child or adult daycare.
• Eligible for Parental Leave which includes six (6) weeks of ImmDef paid leave. 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan & Employer Matching:
• ImmDef staff are eligible to enroll in our 401(k) plans upon three months of service, contributing pre-tax dollars towards their retirement goals
• After three months on staff, ImmDef will match 100% of contributions up to 4% of the employee’s salary
• Funds are vested immediately Public Service Loan Forgiveness:
• As a 501(c)3, full-time ImmDef staff with qualifying student loans are eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Parking and Public Transportation Stipends:
• Staff members assigned to an office without free on-site parking are eligible to receive a parking stipend of up to $130 per month in actual accrued parking or transportation costs.
• Staff in all offices are eligible to receive a public transportation stipend of up to $100 per month in actual accrued public transportation costs. Cell Phone Stipends:
• ImmDef provides a $15 monthly cell phone stipend to staff members whose job duties require them to consistently work at sites outside of ImmDef offices, or travel between ImmDef worksites, and whose jobs require use of their personal cell phones or communications that cannot be accomplished with ImmDef-issued equipment. It is recommended that you submit a Cover Letter to be considered. You can learn more about our programs at www.immdef.org.