The Human Resource Generalist role supports Goodwill Industries of South Central California in Bakersfield by managing employee relations, investigations, compliance, leaves administration, and HR operations across retail and warehouse environments. This onsite position emphasizes collaboration with staff and leadership to uphold policies and regulatory requirements.
Position Details
Location: Bakersfield, CA (onsite)
Salary: USD 70,304 - 75,000 per year
Education: Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
Minimum Experience: 1 year
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with staff and management to interpret and communicate HR policies, procedures, and employment laws.
- Lead and conduct workplace investigations addressing employee relations concerns such as discrimination, harassment, retaliation, misconduct, and policy violations.
- Provide expert guidance and administer state and federal leave laws including FMLA, CFRA, PDL, and ADA accommodations, along with related workplace adjustments.
- Manage complex accommodation requests through the interactive process to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Serve as the HR lead on employee relations matters and recommend corrective actions and resolution approaches.
- Oversee and advise the HR Coordinator on recruitment, onboarding, and orientation to maintain consistency and compliance.
- Review HRIS workflows for accuracy and support system configuration and process improvements.
- Ensure precise data entry, documentation standards, and maintenance of personnel records.
- Analyze HR data and trends to inform management decisions and drive continuous improvement.
- Provide guidance to supervisors and managers on performance topics, workplace concerns, and policy interpretation.
- Maintain compliance with state and federal employment regulations through research, consultation, and policy application.
- Prepare HR correspondence, reports, documentation, and communications with timeliness and accuracy.
- Support HR operations and act as a secondary reviewer of personnel files for accuracy and compliance.
- Maintain understanding of operational environments including retail, warehouse, and production settings to support workforce needs.
- Participate in professional development activities such as trainings, conferences, and HR-related learning opportunities.
- Perform other HR-related duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 1–3 years of progressive HR experience in employee relations, HR compliance, or related functions.
- Strong knowledge of state and federal employment laws, with emphasis on leave administration and workplace accommodations.
- Experience conducting workplace investigations.
- Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and HRIS systems.
- Understanding of HRIS workflows, data structure, and system processes.
- Valid California driver’s license and ability to travel between work locations as needed.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to handle sensitive employee relations matters.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to shifting operational needs.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced operational environment.
- Ability to act as a professional HR representative across diverse employee groups.
Technologies
Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, and HRIS systems
Department
Human Resources
Supervision
Supervision Received: Vice President of Human Resources and Safety
Supervision Exercised: Human Resources Coordinator
Classification
Exempt
Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions
This position is primarily office-based with occasional travel to other locations and potential visits to retail, warehouse, or production environments. The role supports a range of physical activities with lift/carry requirements up to 70 pounds and variables in activity levels. The work may occur indoors and outdoors and involve exposure to dust, weather conditions, loud noises, and other environmental factors.
