Human Resources Coordinator (Employee Relations Focus)

Sunny Side Accounting is a growing company focused on providing service to the restaurant industry. We are looking for a Human Resources Coordinator (Employee Relations Focus) to join our team. Position is on-site in the Mission Valley area of San Diego.

Job Summary:

The Human Resources Coordinator should be detail-oriented and people-focused with a strong emphasis on Employee Relations to support day-to-day HR operations and foster a positive, compliant, and respectful workplace. This role serves as a key point of contact for employees and managers, supporting employee relations, HR administration, and compliance-driven processes under the guidance of HR leadership.

The ideal candidate demonstrates sound judgment, discretion, strong communication skills, and the ability to navigate sensitive situations and fast paced environments with professionalism, confidentiality, and empathy. This position is expected to demonstrate the Sunny Side Accounting Core Values: Scrappy, Ownership Mentality, Humble, Resilient, and Innovative.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Serve as a point of contact for employee inquiries related to workplace concerns, policies, and procedures.
• Assist with intake, documentation, and coordination of employee relations, including concerns and conflict resolution.
• Maintain confidentiality and neutrality when handling sensitive employee information.
• Assist with gathering disciplinary action and coaching documentation in support of employee relations investigations and close out.
• Uphold and reiterate professional communication, respectful workplace standards, and non-retaliation and company policies. Provide clear, professional, and empathetic communication to employees at all levels.
• Answer HR-related questions within your scope of responsibilities and provide appropriate resource(s) (policies and procedures, benefit enrollments, software troubleshooting, ADP).
• Complete payroll tasks including but not limited to: final paychecks, change of statuses, new hires, terminations, paid sick leave, reimbursements, and benefit deductions.
• Collaborate with the Payroll department on payroll and benefit corrections.
• Assists in payroll processing to ensure it is completed accurately and on-time.
• Maintain a positive, professional, and supportive attitude with clients, co-workers, and vendors.
• Additional duties as assigned.
• Monitor and triage the HR email inbox, respond to administrative inquiries, and escalate sensitive matters appropriately in a timely and professional manner.
• Field, respond to, and direct incoming phone calls.
• Support onboarding and offboarding processes, position and payrate changes, including document collection, system access coordination, checklist tracking, and managerial program activation/deactivation.
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date employee records, both paper and digital, while managing Google Forms and other digital platforms to ensure all client documentation and personnel files are current and audit‑ready.
• Respond to incoming correspondence, including requests from government agencies and insurance providers, such as EDD, DCSS, workers’ compensation, and insurance enrollments.
• Complete special projects by clarifying project objectives, setting timetables and schedules, conducting research, developing and organizing information, and fulfilling transactions.
• Actively seek and implement improvements within the Human Resources processes.
• Ensure HR practices align with company policies and California labor laws, including but not limited to wage-and-hour, paid sick leave, and recordkeeping requirements.
• Provide requested documentation to support internal and external audits.
• Use approved templates and standardized processes for HR communications.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• At least one year of experience in Human Resources and employee full-cycle administration.
• At least three years of experience in employee relations management.
• Aligns with the culture of execution and core values of scrappy, resilient, ownership mentality, humble, and innovative.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish required.
• Experience working with the HRIS, ADP Workforce Now (required).
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and time management skills.
• Possess qualities of self-leadership and an ambition to improve systems, procedures, and personal knowledge every day.
• Proficient in Google Workspace and/or Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to handle data with confidentiality.
• Ability to respond courteously to all inquiries and remain calm and composed in all situations.
• Working knowledge of California employment practices and HR fundamentals.
• High level of discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive matters.
• Experience supporting employee relations matters in restaurants, hospitality, retail, or multi-unit environments (preferred).
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Core Values:

• Scrappy
• Resilient
• Ownership Mentality
• Humble
• Innovative

Equal Opportunity Statement:

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at all levels of the organization. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, reproductive health decision making, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected under applicable law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $28.00 - $32.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Describe a situation in which you handled an employee relations concern from initial intake through documentation and escalation.
• Summarize your experience with core HR responsibilities and the extent of your involvement in payroll processing?
• Please describe your hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now, including the specific functions you have supported and your level of involvement.
• Describe a situation in which you identified a policy violation made by another employee. What actions did you take to address the issue and how did you ensure appropriate follow-up?

Work Location: In person