Description

Community Water Center is building a movement for community-driven water solutions. CWC has offices in Visalia, Freedom, and Sacramento, CA, and employs four key strategies to achieve its goals:

Educate, organize, and build the capacity of low-income communities and communities of color to address local drinking water challenges.
Support low-income communities and communities of color in the development of drinking water solutions through technical assistance projects.
Advocate for systemic change to address the root causes of unsafe drinking water in California.
Serve as a resource for information and center of expertise on community water challenges.

CWC’s team is passionate, dynamic, and believes in the cause of water justice and making real change that is driven directly by impacted communities themselves. Our organizing and advocacy work, community collaborations, and organizational culture all reflect a concern for equity, mutual respect, appreciation for diversity, and environmental and social justice.

Position Summary
The Human Resources Manager is a regular, full-time, exempt, salary position based out of our Visalia office and will report to the Director of Operations. Must be able to report in-person at least three days per week or more if needed, based on job responsibilities or requested by the supervisor. All employees at CWC are “at will.” This position will work closely with the Director of Operations, other CWC staff , community members, ally organizations and agencies, and interns.

Ideal Candidate
The Human Resources Manager will manage day-to-day HR operations, including employee relations, recruiting, onboarding, payroll, benefits, training, and policy implementation. This role offers the opportunity to drive strong recruitment of talent, increase efficiency of hiring processes, take initiative, inform key decisions, and contribute to a positive, fast-paced work environment that drives organizational success.

Major Responsibilities

HR Administration & Compliance
Serve as the main contact for HR inquiries, requests, concerns, and accommodations.
Manage claims (unemployment, disability, workers' comp) and ensure accurate employee records.
Support employee relations, conflict resolution, and performance management
Ensure legal compliance, recommend policy updates, and stay current on HR best practices.
Coordinate performance evaluations, training schedules, and required certifications.

Recruitment, Onboarding & Offboarding
Guide the recruitment process to attract highly qualified candidates who advance the organization’s mission.
Enhance the structure and experience of the interview and hiring processes by collaborating with hiring managers to advance hiring goals.
Support job description development and ensure alignment with salary scales.
Manage onboarding, benefits enrollment, exit interviews, and offboarding.
Collaborate with leadership on workplace culture initiatives and internal policies to advance best practices.

Compensation & Benefits
Oversee employee benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, FSA, retirement).
Manage open enrollment and collaborate with brokers and providers.
Ensure accurate semi-monthly payroll and support with timekeeping/expense reports.
Implement salary scales and evaluate payroll software.

General Duties
Foster an environment that promotes trust, respect and cooperation amongst staff, management, community members, and affiliate organizations.
Actively participate in staff, management, planning, and program meetings; reporting processes; and staff retreats. 2
Actively participate in CWC activities such as advocacy events and fundraising events.
Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director, Supervisor and other Directors.
Note: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

To apply: Email your resume and cover letter to careers@communitywatercenter.org and note "Human Resources Manager position - [your name]" in the subject line.

Benefits: We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package which includes: medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement contributions; generous vacation, family and sick leave and holiday policies; flex-time; professional development opportunities and more. (Benefits guidelines and eligibility vary based on tenure and employment status, among other factors.)

Community Water Center is a 501(c)(3) organization. As such employees may be able to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Community Water Center is committed to providing equal opportunity to qualifi ed job applicants and employees and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability (including pregnancy), mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship, military service status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
To learn more about the Community Water Center, visit our website at www.communitywatercenter.org

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Education & Experience: B.A. or equivalent, 4-5 years HR experience.
• Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to give and receive positive and growth feedback
• Able to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Excellent collaboration skills and judgment including the ability to share key updates with the team while protecting confidential information.
• Ability to uphold professionalism and integrity in all HR actions and process improvements
• Valid CA driver's license and the ability to drive on highways and between CWC's three offices efficiently.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong track record of talent recruitment and staff retention
• 2-3 years working in a justice-oriented organization
• Demonstrated commitment to social and environmental justice.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English.
• Certifications: SHRM-CP or PHR Certification