Senior HR Compliance Specialist - Remote

*Please note this is a fully remote position. Ideally this person will need to be located in the CST or MST time zone*

Job Title: Senior HR Compliance Specialist

Job Classification: Full Time, Non-exempt

Company Overview: Headquartered in Westport, Connecticut, PetVet Care Centers is a nationwide veterinary network operating more than 450 general, specialty, and emergency hospitals with over 10,500 employees. Each location is managed locally and supported globally through our connected network.

Position Overview: We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented individual to join our corporate team as a Senior HR Compliance Specialist. This position would report to the Employee Relations Manager.

Primary responsibilities include virtually verifying U.S. employment eligibility and completing Form I-9's for all newly hired employees at PetVet Care Centers and its veterinary hospitals located throughout the United States, as well as re-verifying the employment eligibility for any current or rehired employees as needed to ensure PetVet's compliance with federal and state regulations. The Senior HR Compliance Specialist will manage and monitor PetVet's internal electronic I-9 tracking system and the E-Verify system administered U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Additionally, the Senior HR Compliance Specialist will support the Employee Relations Manager in other employee and compliance workstreams, including process implementation, records maintenance, and audit and Background check management.

The ideal candidate will be located in the central or mountain time zone.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

• Functions as Form I-9 and E-Verify reviewer and preparer for PetVet employees (including remote employees) and serves as primary point of contact for resolving any employee employment eligibility verification issues.
• Verifies accuracy of employee demographic data (name, SSN, DOB, citizenship status, visa validity information), photo identification documentation and that the individual presenting has been offered employment by PetVet and/or one of its veterinary hospitals.
• Ensures the timely completion of new hire Form I-9s and E-Verify employment eligibility verifications and coordinates with affected employees and internal stakeholders (HR, Legal, etc.) to resolve non-compliant I-9s and E-Verify cases with tentative non-confirmation / mismatch results and determine the appropriate subsequent course of action (e.g. suspension or termination of employment relationship).
• Processes all re-verifications of employment eligibility for current or rehired employees, including the attainment of valid and current required supporting document from the employee that demonstrates continued work authorization and completion of necessary supplements to Form I-9.
• Assists all employees by clarifying, explaining, and/or interpreting PetVet employment eligibility policies and applicable federal and state government regulations related to employment eligibility.
• Evaluates and escalates irregular employment eligibility compliance issues to Employee Relations Manager and Legal, as needed.
• Responds to telephone calls and emails regarding I-9 related or other compliance questions, as necessary.
• Reviews all background check results to determine eligibility for employment.
• Interprets and enforces internal policies and federal regulations to ensure I-9 and background check compliance.
• Monitors and runs reports in PetVet's internal electronic I-9 tracking system and the E-Verify system as needed to monitor I-9 compliance.
• Assists with other HR, Employee Relations, Talent Acquisition, and Legal duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or graduation equivalent
• Administrative or HR Compliance experience
• Additional education may substitute for required experience
• 2-3 years of HR Generalist experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• I-9 processing knowledge
• Immigration experience

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Must possess exceptional attention to detail and deadlines.
• Must problem solve independently on a daily basis. Sound and consistent judgment is essential to comply with I-9 regulations and resolve E-Verify cases.
• Must possess excellent and mature interpersonal skills to deal with a group of diverse clients from different countries, backgrounds, socioeconomic status, educational background, etc.
• Must be an outstanding team player.
• Must remain calm and focused under stressful situations.
• Must be able to adapt to an extremely dynamic work environment as priorities change.
• Must be able to anticipate change as well as adapt professionally.
• Must possess and continually develop interpersonal skills and professional development.
• Must be able to represent the organization positively at all times.