People & Culture Generalist
Monterey, CA
Full Time
Business Administration
Mid Level
Ground Studio is an award-winning landscape architecture studio with offices in Monterey, Napa, and Santa Barbara. Our work celebrates the uniqueness and diversity of each client and place, maintaining a consistent focus on design excellence, thorough project management, and superior service. Our process is rooted in collaboration, and team members are involved throughout the project duration, from design conception to details, demanding dedicated engagement in the entire process.
Currently we are seeking a People and Culture Generalist who shares our commitment to collaboration, accountability, and engagement and who will nurture our studio culture while ensuring HR excellence across our offices.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
The People & Culture Generalist serves as the primary human resources partner for Ground Studio. Reporting to the Director of Finance, with additional oversight and strategic guidance from a Firm Partner, this role has responsibility for HR functions across all three California offices (Monterey, Napa, and Santa Barbara). The ideal candidate brings strategic HR expertise combined with hands-on execution capabilities, balancing compliance requirements with creating an engaging workplace culture.
This role is critical to supporting our team of designers, project managers, and administrative staff while ensuring Ground Studio remains a great place to work. You will be the go-to resource for all employee-related matters, from onboarding to offboarding, benefits administration to performance management, and policy development to culture initiatives.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Required
Preferred
Currently we are seeking a People and Culture Generalist who shares our commitment to collaboration, accountability, and engagement and who will nurture our studio culture while ensuring HR excellence across our offices.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
The People & Culture Generalist serves as the primary human resources partner for Ground Studio. Reporting to the Director of Finance, with additional oversight and strategic guidance from a Firm Partner, this role has responsibility for HR functions across all three California offices (Monterey, Napa, and Santa Barbara). The ideal candidate brings strategic HR expertise combined with hands-on execution capabilities, balancing compliance requirements with creating an engaging workplace culture.
This role is critical to supporting our team of designers, project managers, and administrative staff while ensuring Ground Studio remains a great place to work. You will be the go-to resource for all employee-related matters, from onboarding to offboarding, benefits administration to performance management, and policy development to culture initiatives.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Serve as primary HR contact for employees across all three offices
- Partner with managers and Director of Finance on employee relations, conflict resolution, performance management, and disciplinary actions
- Manage full-cycle onboarding and offboarding including offer letters, new hire setup, exit interviews, and documentation
- Administer all benefits programs (medical, dental, vision, 401k), manage open enrollment, and coordinate with vendors/carriers
- Assist Director of Finance with annual benefits assessments
- Respond to employee benefits questions and resolve benefits-related issues
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws; maintain current knowledge of California HR regulations
- Develop, update, and communicate HR policies and employee handbook
- Maintain accurate personnel files and data; generate reports and metrics for leadership
- Administer timekeeping system and support payroll processing with accurate employee data
- Manage workers' compensation claims and safety incident documentation
- Facilitate performance review cycles and provide recommendations to managers
- Champion company culture through employee engagement activities, recognition programs, and the annual studio retreat
- Conduct HR audits, maintain compliance documentation, and coordinate with legal counsel and HR Consultants as needed
- Partner closely with Director of Finance on strategic HR planning, budgeting, and organizational development
- Collaborate with Operations Coordinator on facilities, IT, and administrative functions
- Participate in the Business Administration team’s weekly L10 meetings
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
- 5+ years of progressive HR experience, preferably in professional services or creative industries
- Strong knowledge of California employment law (FMLA, CFRA, PDL, FEHA, wage and hour)
- Experience with benefits administration, leave management, and open enrollment
- Proven ability to handle sensitive employee relations matters with discretion
- Experience developing HR policies and managing performance review processes
- Proficiency with HRIS, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and DocuSign
- Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work independently across multiple office locations
Preferred
- PHRca, PHR, or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification
- Knowledge of multi-state HR compliance
- Experience working within the AEC
This is a full-time in-person position in our Monterey studio with a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. We follow a Compressed Work Week that typically allows for every other Friday off. Company benefits include paid time off, medical, dental, vision, and term life insurance coverage. Our company perks include education and wellness stipends, the potential for yearly bonuses, and participation in a 401K retirement plan.
At the time of posting this job, the hiring range for this position is between $80,000 and $95,000 annually. Final salary decisions are made based upon the extent and relatedness of the candidate’s education and experience and considering internal equity and external market factors.
At the time of posting this job, the hiring range for this position is between $80,000 and $95,000 annually. Final salary decisions are made based upon the extent and relatedness of the candidate’s education and experience and considering internal equity and external market factors.
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