HR Generalist

At the San Diego Rescue Mission, we are driven by a profound belief in compassion, service, and the transformative power of Jesus' love. Our mission goes beyond charity; it is a calling to love our neighbors and provide hope and healing to those experiencing homelessness. We are committed to creating a holistic approach to recovery and rehabilitation, ensuring that our programs serve as safe havens for men, women, and children in need.

Position Summary 

The HR Generalist (HRG) ensures that HR practices reflect SDRM’s Christ-centered values and comply with California labor law while fostering an environment of accountability, compassion, and excellence. This position supports program objectives, ensures operational integrity, and reflects our values in every interaction with clients, staff, and the public. The HRG serves as a strategic partner and trusted advisor to staff, exercising discretion and independent judgment in administering key HR functions that support the mission of SDRM. This role is responsible for day-to-day duties of human resources, employee relations, policy interpretation, recruitment strategy, compliance oversight, and support of organizational culture.  

Key Responsibilities 

The HR Generalist is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Human Resources department, ensuring that all aspects of the employee life cycle—from recruitment and onboarding to development, engagement, and separation—are carried out with excellence, compassion, and accountability in alignment with SDRM’s Christ-centered mission and values.

• Employee Relations & Advisory 

• Serve as the primary HR advisor to managers on corrective action, performance concerns, and conflict resolution. 

• Conduct confidential investigations and recommend outcomes that align with policy and risk mitigation. 

• Interpret and apply HR policies, making informed recommendations to leadership. 

• Recruitment & Workforce Planning 

• Partner with department leads to determine staffing needs and develop hiring strategies. 

• Screen candidates, conduct interviews, and recommend hiring decisions aligned with mission and job requirements. 

• Oversee onboarding, orientation, and new-hire ministry alignment. 

• Policy Interpretation & Compliance 

• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local employment laws (FMLA, CFRA, ADA, FEHA, PDL, AB2188, OSHA, etc.). 

• Recommend updates to policies and procedures, ensuring consistent and lawful implementation. 

• Maintain confidential and compliant employee documentation. 

• Leave Management & Benefits Support 

• Administer protected leaves and accommodations, exercising judgment on eligibility and process. 

• Educate employees on benefit programs and serve as a liaison for escalated questions. 

• Track compliance and coordinate with payroll and leadership as needed. 

• HRIS & Payroll Support 

• Manage employee records, position changes, and data accuracy in Paycom. 

• Review and recommend corrections or process improvements to enhance data integrity. 

• Assist with payroll-related actions involving classification or status changes. 

• Performance & Organizational Development 

• Guide leaders through performance documentation and employee development plans. 

• Support training initiatives and reinforce culture, accountability, and retention practices. 

• Strategic HR Projects 

• Recommend and support department-wide initiatives such as handbook revisions, SOP development, or audit preparation. 

• Collaborate on process improvements and HR operational planning. 

• Culture & Mission Integration 

• Model SDRM’s commitment to a Christ-centered workplace in communication and conduct. 

• Support prayer partnerships, ministry alignment, and values-based decision-making. 

• Support and participate in ministry-wide activities and chapels as applicable. 

Staff Expectations 

As a representative of San Diego Rescue Mission, all employees are expected to: 

• Adhere to the Statement of Faith, upholding biblical principles in all aspects of work and life. 

• Be prepared to share the hope you have in Christ. As a representative of Christ, be ready to gently and respectfully share the Good News of Jesus Christ at all times. 

• Live out the Mission, Vision, and Values of the SDRM by safeguarding the Mission, pursuing the Vision, and reflecting our core values—Faith, Compassion, Excellence, and Integrity—in both your personal and public life. Remain focused on serving, demonstrating a deep desire to see God transform the lives of those experiencing homelessness. 

• Intentionally spend time in God’s Word, prayer, staying rooted in a biblical community (local church, ministry, small group) to deepen your relationship with Christ. 

• Model servant leadership in all interactions, encourage and support SDRM staff in their walk with Christ, putting the needs of others before yourself. 

• Foster a coachable, approachable, and humble spirit, remaining open to feedback, growth, and guidance. 

Education: 

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or related field preferred, or a Human Resources Certificate through an accredited college or university. 

• PHR, SHRM-CP, or equivalent certification preferred. 

Experience: 

• 3–5+ years of professional-level HR experience with demonstrated decision-making responsibilities. 

• Strong knowledge of California employment law and HR compliance. 

• Nonprofit or ministry experience is a plus. 

Skills & Abilities: 

• Ability to function effectively in a dynamic, faith-based environment. 

• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality. 

• Strong communication and administrative skills are required. 

• Capable of maintaining emotional resilience in challenging situations. 

• Ability to exercise independent judgment and handle confidential matters. 

• Ability to build trust and work collaboratively across departments. 

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills. 

• Proficiency in HRIS systems (Paycom preferred) and MS Office Suite. 

• High attention to detail, follow-through, and organization. 

• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.  

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. 

• Ability to prioritize tasks and delegate them when appropriate. 

Work Environment and Physical Demands 

• This role may require walking, standing, lifting up to 25 lbs, and working irregular hours, including evenings or weekends. 

• The environment includes residential program sites and client-facing spaces. 

Travel/Transportation:  

• The employee must travel as the job requires to our locations (Warehouse, National City, North County).  

• The employee must have reliable transportation.  

• If the employee receives authorization to use a Mission vehicle to perform duties, the incumbent must present a current California driver’s license and good driving record to be placed on the Mission’s insurance policy. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The San Diego Rescue Mission (SDRM) Is both an equal opportunity employer and a Christian Ministry. We conduct hiring without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age, sex (which included breastfeeding, or a medical condition related to breastfeeding), marital status, parental status, military status, veteran's status, pregnancy, medication condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, disability or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

However, as a registered non- profit religious organization, SDRM does reserve the right to discriminate in hiring persons whose lifestyle is contradictory to Biblical principles.

Pursuant to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 702 942 U.S.C 2000e (a)), SDRM has the right to, and does hire only candidates who agree with SDRM's Statement of Faith and conduct themselves in accordance with our religious beliefs.

Background Check Disclaimer

SDRM conducts background checks in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act, and the California Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act. If you accept a position with SDRM, as part of your conditional offer of employment, you will be asked to submit to a virtual background check AND a California Livescan Fingerprint.

You will be provided the following notifications as an example:

1. You will be provided with appropriate written notice of the company's intention to obtain information by way of a background check and will give applicants and employees the opportunity to obtain a free copy of any report obtained.

2. Applicants and employees will be asked to authorize a background check before such check is performed.

Drug Screen Disclaimer

SDRM is a Nonprofit Religious Organization and as such, we require all employees to submit to our drug screen as a condition of employment once they have accepted a position with SDRM. Because of our religious affiliation, we do not allow employees to use or consume recreational or medicinal marijuana, along with all other federally recognized substances. You will be notified prior to any employment decisions if your drug screen is returned with negative findings. Refusal to submit to testing will result in disqualification of further employment consideration.

E-Verify Statement

San Diego Rescue Mission participates in E-Verify. We will provide the Social Security Administration, and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Please note that we do not use this information to pre-screen job applicants.