At Pacific Science Center, our mission is to ignite curiosity in every child and fuel a passion for discovery, experimentation, and critical thinking in all of us. Our colleagues are passionate lifelong learners who live our mission every day. Each of us commits to bring an inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) focus in every aspect of our work. Join our collaborative team and help steward our warm, welcoming, community-learning environment at PacSci.
As part of our ongoing commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, we’re invested in building teams with a wide variety of backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Data shows that women and BIPOC candidates more frequently do not apply to a job because they don’t feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed. If you have some of the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed and you share PacSci's values and support our mission, we encourage you to apply.
Position Title: People & Culture Generalist
Department: People & Culture
Reports to: Sr People & Culture Specialist
Pay Class: Full-time Regular
Job Level: Intermediate
FLSA Status: Hourly Non-Exempt
Position Summary
Join a mission-driven team helping Pacific Science Center inspire curiosity and fuel discovery for our community. As a key member of the People & Culture (P&C) team, the P&C Generalist supports an inclusive, collaborative workplace by delivering exceptional HR service and operational excellence. The position enhances the team’s ability to deliver strategic, high impact work by providing hands-on support to the P&C team, leaders, and employees, administering core HR programs and policies while contributing to continuous learning, improvement, and positive employee experience.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Recruiting:- Streamlines job posting and candidate communications to ensure a smooth and timely hiring process.
- Optimizes scheduling workflows to create a positive experience for candidates and hiring managers.
Onboarding & Orientation
- Supports the design of a new "Welcome to PacSci" onboarding program re-fresh that accelerates new hire orientation in the first 30 days.
- Facilitates Day 1 orientation and ensures compliance with all onboarding requirements through streamlined processes.
- Oversee provisioning and documentation with accuracy and attention to detail, reducing delays and administrative burden.
Learning & Development
- Coordinates training logistics and systems to enable impactful learning experience. Send out reminders to ensure mandatory training completion.
- Support the annual performance review process by ensuring tools, timelines, and communications are clear and efficient.
Payroll, Benefit & Leave Administration:- Manages Leave and Benefits administration with precision, reducing complexity for employees and managers.
- Partner on Open Enrollment planning communication and implementation to ensure a seamless experience
- Collaborates with payroll to maintain accurate and timeliness in all transactions.
General HR
- Provides backup support to the office administration, including coverage during absences or high-volume periods to ensure continuity of service.
- Supports management and maintenance of the Human Resources Information System (HRIS) to ensure accuracy and reliability.
- Ensures accurate, secure employee recordkeeping and timely completion of documentation in alignment with compliance standards
- Coordinates the P&C inbox, responding promptly to employment, income, verification requests, and general HR questions delivering excellent service.
- Maintains HR SharePoint sites, organization charts, and digital file systems for ease of access and organizational clarity
- Supports HR expense management including vendor coordination, invoice processing, expense reporting, and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
- Oversee HRIS updates, reporting, and data integrity for new hires, separations, transfers, salary changes and compliance reporting.
- Conducts routine audits of payroll and HRIS data with P&C colleagues to maintain accuracy and compliance.
- Participates in process improvement initiatives and internal/external audits to enhance operational efficiency.
- Provides support for employee engagement events and activities that foster inclusion and belonging.
- Ensures adherence to HR policies and procedures while identifying opportunities to streamline processes for better user experience.
Position Requirements – Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of state and federal wage/hour laws and HR compliance fundamentals, with the ability to apply them practically.
- Familiarity with regulations affecting employee benefits (ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, Medicare, Social Security, Workers’ Compensation, DOL guidelines).
- Experience with HR systems (HRIS, ATS, payroll, SharePoint, MS Office).
- Ability to research HR trends and develop practical, creative solutions and ability to leverage technology to streamline processes.
- Strong communication skills across diverse audiences with the ability to build trust and influence outcomes.
- Exceptional organizational and time management skills; able to prioritize meet deadlines independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Customer focused with a commitment to delivering a positive employee experience.
- High level of discretion and integrity in handling confidential information.
- This position is primarily onsite, with the option to work remotely (up to one day per week), based on team needs and operational priorities.
Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in human resources, business, or a related field OR equivalent work experience
- 1-2 years of broad Human Resource experience
- Preferred: Certification such as SHRM-CP or PHR, experience in multi-state employment law and/or compensation. Experience with Dayforce (HRIS).
Physical Demands & Working Conditions
- Work is primarily performed at a desk with frequent use of a computer.
- Regular communication with employees and leaders via in-person meetings, phone, and video conferencing.
- Hybrid work environment, minimum 4 days onsite presence at Pacific Science Center required.
This job description reflects the organization’s current needs and may be subject to change. It is not intended as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the role.
Compensation
Pay is based on several factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and years of experience.
Starting Base Salary Range: $28-$31
In addition to base salary, regular employees working 40 hrs/week can expect the following benefits:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, basic life insurance, and disability insurance
- 4 weeks of vacation, 12 floating holidays, and sick pay
- 403(b) Retirement Savings
- Commuter benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee PacSci Membership
Pacific Science Center stands with those who are courageously fighting against hate, racism, and injustice. We recognize that not being racist is not sufficient. We must be actively anti-racist, and we commit to doing so. We prioritize inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in everything we do. Curiosity and critical thinking are essential to the dialogue and changes that need to happen.
Pacific Science Center complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact us at
HRDepartment@pacsci.org.