Description

Human Resources Manager

The Occidental Arts and Ecology Center (OAEC) is an 80-acre demonstration, education, and advocacy center, and Fiscal Sponsor located in western Sonoma County, California. OAEC's work focuses on cultivating ecological literacy and building the capacity of civic and social movement leaders and organizations to guide their communities toward an ecologically regenerative, economically viable, and socially just future. 

OAEC is in an exciting moment of program expansion as we celebrate our 32nd year of change-making, with expansions in our Resilient Communities Design Program, management of a large state-funded Beaver Coexistence Program through our WATER Institute, and growth in our Fiscally Sponsored Projects Program. This is a tremendous opportunity for a values-driven human resources professional to join OAEC’s passionate and dedicated staff. 

Job Summary

The Human Resources Manager supports the organizational leadership and staff collective in developing and implementing HR processes that align with the organization’s mission, values, and operational goals. This role oversees all day-to-day human resources operations and compliance, fosters equitable people practices, and supports effective employee engagement and performance. This position supports all the activities of OAEC’s multifaceted land-based and programmatic operations, and plays an important role in supporting the enhancement of our organizational culture for individual staff, the staff collective, and overall organizational well-being. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB

HR Operations & Compliance

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws across multiple jurisdictions (OAEC currently has staff in 5 states). 
Lead periodic organizational evaluation of all organizational employment policies and procedures to identify and implement improvements.
Manage and maintain the process to update employee handbooks, policies, and procedures.
Manage the organization's HRIS and payroll system (currently Bamboo HR), personnel records, and reporting requirements.
Process state-related employee claims, including garnishments, disability, paid family leave, and unemployment.
Oversee bi-monthly payroll administration in partnership with the finance team. Ensure accurate compensation for all employees across the organization, including the implementation of annual compensation changes and bonuses.
Manage the annual review, selection, and enrollment of organizational benefits, including 401K, HSA/FSA, and health insurance. Manage benefits administration throughout the year following the enrollment period.
Manage all aspects of workers’ compensation insurance, including claim reporting and coordination, compliance with state regulations, and contract renewal across all states.

Employee Relations & Performance Management

Support staff in navigating OAEC’s Conflict Resolution Policy, and coordinate mediation if needed (either in-house or with an outside party) for interpersonal conflict among staff. 
Steward review and updates (with the Staff Executive Council and Staff Collective) of OAEC’s Structure and Governance Document. 
Serve as point of contact for all staff questions about navigating OAEC’s Governance Document and Human Resources processes.
Facilitate investigations and resolutions of formal complaints and performance issues.
Work with supervisors to craft and implement Performance Improvement Plans as needed.
Schedule and ensure the timely completion of OAEC’s annual Staff Performance Review process for all salaried staff.
Support training and evaluation among and for supervisors in supervisorial technique, communication, and oversight that is aligned with organizational values and supports a healthy workplace culture.
Schedule and conduct regular re-orientation for all staff on key organizational employment policies and procedures. 
Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive matters and documents with discretion. 

Recruitment, Onboarding & Offboarding

Coordinate all aspects of hiring processes (working in collaboration with staff hiring committee), including creation of job descriptions, job announcements, outreach, interviews, offer letters, etc.
Facilitate onboarding for all new OAEC salaried, hourly, and Fiscally Sponsored Project Program (FSP) staff, including creating and updating all onboarding content.
Oversee off-boarding processes for all departing salaried and hourly staff. 

Organizational Participation

Participate in weekly Thursday morning OAEC staff meetings and serve on appropriate committees.
Serve as a standing member of the Staff Executive Council and act as the coordinator for meeting scheduling, note-taking, and document organization.
Participate in the annual Staff Performance Review process.
After 18 months on staff, lead occasional OAEC public, retreat, and private tours.

COMPENSATION, LOCATION, AND WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The annual salary for the HR Manager at 40 hours/week is $82,400 per year. 30 hours/week schedule possible. 
On site position at OAEC, with up to two days per week remote possible. 
OAEC offers a paid health and wellness benefit, currently set at 100% of the value of a Kaiser Permanente Silver HMO Plan for each employee. We intend to offer a full organizational health insurance plan for all salaried staff beginning in 2027 - this will replace the current health and wellness benefit.
OAEC offers generous family leave and disability leave, as well as an employee-only contribution 401(k) option, and a cell phone plan stipend of $50/month.
OAEC offers generous paid time off: a total of 5 weeks and 3 days per year of vacation and floating holidays combined, as well as 10 paid sick days off (plus an additional week for those with dependents).
The HR Manager will work in one of the offices at OAEC in Occidental, CA, with up to two days per week of remote work possible (after the onboarding period). This is not a residential position at OAEC.
All staff may enjoy the use of OAEC’s beautiful facilities, including our swimming pond, hot tub and sauna, and wildlands. Staff are invited to harvest from the extraordinary array of organic produce, flowers, and fruit grown in our Mother Garden and orchards.
When working on-site, staff may participate in the renowned organic meals prepared for retreats by OAEC’s amazing kitchen staff. Staff may take an OAEC Permaculture course free of charge and attend the various theater performances, small concerts, talks, and celebrations happening on-site throughout the year. We welcome visits from family and friends.
 
HOW TO APPLY

Before applying, please spend some time looking at our website: www.oaec.org
to better learn about the site, the organization, and to understand what OAEC does in the world. You might also look at our 2025 Annual Update, 30th Anniversary Timeline; check out some of our program pages, including Fiscally Sponsored Projects; and watch a visual tour of our Retreat Center.
We are accepting applications until 5:00 pm PT, Thursday, April 30, 2026. Early application is encouraged as applicant screenings will begin immediately. The Human Resources Manager's start date is flexible, but our strong preference is for late June 2026, or sooner.  
OAEC actively seeks a diverse applicant pool and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. OAEC does not discriminate based on an individual’s race, sex, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or on any other basis prohibited by law.

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

(Please do not apply if you do not meet the following requirements)

Have enthusiasm for OAEC’s broader mission and programs that work to restore and protect biological and cultural diversity, and to create just and sustainable communities.
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience).
5+ years of HR experience, preferably in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
Demonstrated experience managing HR across multiple states or in a distributed workforce.
Strong knowledge of employment law, compliance, and HR best practices.
Experience managing HRIS systems and benefits administration (experience with BambooHR is a plus).
Precise attention to detail and accuracy when managing data, documents, and systems with sensitive financial information. 
Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive matters and documents with discretion. 
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and progressive values.
Experience with various tax filings (sales tax, property tax, 990, etc.) and legal personnel reporting (EDD, payroll).
Fluent in Google Suite and Microsoft Office. OAEC staff use Apple Mac computers.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to help others understand technical and legal language and processes.
Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across OAEC’s diverse teams. Interest in and ability to help resolve conflicts within organizational relationships.
Ability to be self-motivated and self-managed, as this role will often require independent work.