Position Title: Director of Human Resources
Candidate: TBD
Department: 8010 – Admin
Supervisor: Vice President of Human Resources
FLSA: Full-Time/Salary/Exempt
Salary Range: $120,000
Effective Date: T B D
OUR IMPACT
For over 50 years, Samaritan House has been leading the fight against poverty in San Mateo County. We’re the
only organization that delivers the full breadth of essential services and personalized support to the working poor.
By ensuring our clients are fed, clothed, healthy, and housed, we help them create their own stability and remain
an active, successful part of our community. After all, an enduring community is only possible when every person
has the resources they need to live.
OUR CULTURE
We’re passionate about providing our employees with a supportive work environment and experiences that help
them grow. We offer excellent opportunities for individuals with proven strong, creative, results-driven leadership
skills and stellar work ethics. We welcome candidates who love working with people of diverse backgrounds and
want to make a difference by fostering community care for our neighbors in need.
YOUR IMPACT
Partnering closely with the Vice President of Human Resources, the Director of Human Resources serves as the
organization's primary employee relations expert and trusted HR advisor. This role leads workplace investigations,
performance management, corrective action, policy interpretation, and complex leave and accommodation
matters while ensuring legally compliant, consistent, and values-driven people practices. The Director provides
operational leadership for the Human Resources department, supports the development of HR staff, oversees
departmental operations in the absence of the Vice President of Human Resources, and escalates significant
organizational risks as appropriate.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Please note our preferred and in some cases required qualifications for this position:
EDUCATION:
Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience, including
significant employee relations and workplace investigations.
Minimum of three (3) years of HR leadership or management experience preferred.
Strong knowledge of California employment laws, including wage and hour, FEHA, ADA, FMLA/CFRA,
workers' compensation, and leave administration.
Excellent coaching, documentation, investigation, and conflict resolution skills.
Experience using HRIS, applicant tracking systems, and other HR technologies.
Ability to manage multiple sensitive matters simultaneously with discretion and sound judgment.
Experience working in mission-driven or nonprofit organizations preferred.
SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred.
EXPERIENCE:
HR experience with demonstrated employee relations and investigations capability. Strong knowledge
of California employment practices; familiarity with leaves and accommodations concepts.
Excellent coaching, documentation, and conflict management skills.
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Strong technological skills, working with HRIS systems.
Ability to manage multiple sensitive matters timely with discretion and sound judgment.
Experience working in mission-driven or nonprofit environments preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Familiarity with nonprofit organizational structures and community-based services.
Advanced knowledge of California employment laws and HR compliance.
Ability to interpret employment laws and organizational policies to provide practical, risk-based guidance
to leaders.
Ability to influence leaders without direct authority.
Ability to maintain neutrality during investigations.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to analyze workforce metrics and trends to support data-informed decision-making.
Ability to lead organizational change initiatives while fostering employee engagement and organizational
effectiveness.
High emotional intelligence, executive presence, and exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to
build trust and navigate sensitive workplace situations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presenting to groups.
Ability to build collaborative relationships with employees, managers, executives, vendors, and external
agencies.
Strong technology proficiency, including Microsoft Office Suite, HRIS platforms, applicant tracking
systems, and other business applications.
Ability to work effectively both onsite and remotely as needed to complete tasks and collaborate with
team members.
Strong organizational, project management, and time management skills with exceptional attention to
detail.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced and evolving work environment.
Clear understanding of professional boundaries and the ability to maintain confidentiality regarding
employee information, investigations, compensation, organizational strategy, and agency operations.
Demonstrated professionalism, sound judgment, and ethical decision-making in all aspects of work.
Ability to exercise independent judgment while collaborating effectively with executive leadership and
cross-functional teams.
Resourceful, solutions-oriented approach to identifying challenges and resolving issues.
Strong documentation, record management, and reporting skills with the ability to maintain accurate,
confidential, and legally compliant employment records.
Valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and the ability to travel between Samaritan House locations as
needed.
Flexible schedule including early mornings, evenings, weekends, or holidays as assigned.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND BACKGROUND CHECK
References will be conducted prior to employment. All staff must successfully complete a criminal background
check. The position requires physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform essential job functions, maintain a
safe work environment, and respond to emergencies with or without reasonable accommodation. Work may
involve travel between agency locations and extended periods of sitting while performing computer-based tasks.
The role requires frequent use of a computer, keyboard, and other office equipment to prepare reports, maintain
records, and perform administrative work. The position also requires occasional lifting and moving of items
weighing up to approximately 20 pounds.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB
1. Serve as the primary escalation point for complex employee relations matters, HR risk management
issues, workplace investigations, and policy interpretation. Lead employee relations casework from
intake through resolution, including investigations, findings, and recommendations.
2. Coach and advise supervisors, managers, directors, and executive leadership regarding performance
management, documentation, corrective action, and employee development.
3. Provide guidance on employee conduct, policy interpretation, and workplace conflict resolution.
4. Lead complex ADA/FEHA interactive process discussions and partner with the HR Administrator to
ensure compliant leave administration.
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5. Develop and improve HR processes (intake, tracking, documentation standards, communication
templates).
6. Partner with the Vice President on sensitive employee matters and policy interpretation; prepare case
summaries and risk assessments as needed. Maintain regular communication regarding departmental
operations, organizational risks, and emerging HR issues.
7. Assist with policy updates and manager communications to improve consistency across the organization.
8. Partner with the HR Manager and Vice President of Human Resources to identify organizational training
needs and implement learning initiatives.
9. Supervise, coach, mentor, and evaluate assigned Human Resources staff and interns while fostering
professional growth and departmental excellence.
10. Develop, monitor, and report Human Resources metrics and trends to support strategic planning,
compliance, and organizational decision-making.
11. Oversee employee benefits administration to ensure timely enrollments, qualifying life event changes,
COBRA administration, and terminations.
12. Lead the organization's performance management program, ensuring timely completion, consistency,
and compliance.
13. Partner with VP on development of Human Resources Budget and Annual Staffing Analysis.
14. Oversee workers' compensation administration, workplace injuries, return-to-work coordination, and
claims management.
15. Own Staff Recognition Event with support from People Operations Administrative Coordinator.
16. Support training content related to supervisor essentials (documentation, performance conversations,
respectful workplace).
17. Track trends in HR issues and recommend proactive interventions (training, manager coaching, internal
surveys, policy clarification).
18. Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Human Resources standard
operating procedures and departmental workflows.
19. Ensure appropriate mandated external reporting is submitted in a timely manner. i.e. EEO-1, Mandated
DCR Salary Reporting, OSHA online reporting, mandated internal OSHA postings
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates for this position will be required to submit a cover letter and resume to:
SAMARITAN HOUSE HR Specialist/Recruiter
4031 Pacific Blvd. San Mateo, CA 94403
E-mail: jobs@samaritanhousesanmateo.org Via facsimile: (650) 294-4336
No phone calls, please! Samaritan House is an equal opportunity employer. Because of the volume of
applications Samaritan House receives, we regret we are not able to respond to every applicant
individually. If your skills and experience are a good match for this position, we will contact you for an
interview.
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