Human Resources Manager

Walnut Creek, CA (Hybrid) | $110,000 to $125,000 | Full-Time, Exempt | Reports to the Chief Operating Officer

Sequoia Ecological Consulting seeks a people-centric Human Resources (HR) Manager to serve as the primary point of support for our employees and a steady steward of the firm's people practices at a growing California environmental consulting firm.

Position Overview and Responsibilities

Sequoia seeks a people-centric HR Manager to serve as the primary point of contact and support for employees across all HR functions. This is a full-time, hybrid role based in Sequoia's Walnut Creek headquarters (at least 50 percent in office), reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and supervising one HR Assistant. The role pairs hands-on HR delivery with a focus on building strong, sustainable people practices that support the firm's continued growth.

The position calls for an experienced HR generalist with deep expertise in California labor law, employee relations, and HR administration. The right candidate is equally comfortable advising senior leadership on compliance matters and serving as a trusted, approachable resource for staff at every level, and brings sound judgment, discretion, and genuine enthusiasm for helping build a great place to work.

The HR Manager will support the full employee lifecycle, from recruiting and onboarding through engagement, benefits, compliance, and offboarding, while contributing to the culture and long-term direction of the organization.

Team Leadership

• Supervise and develop the HR Assistant, providing direction, regular check-ins, coaching, and performance feedback
• Delegate effectively to balance workload and build team capability

Employee Engagement and Relations

• Serve as a primary point of contact for employee questions on policies, procedures, and benefits programs (health insurance, 401(k), and others)
• Connect regularly with staff across offices to understand their needs and support a positive employee experience
• Support the leadership team with cyclical HR processes, including performance management, compensation planning, and succession planning
• Serve as the primary liaison between out-of-country employees and the employer of record
• Partner with senior leadership on organizational and culture initiatives as the firm grows

Recruiting and Onboarding

• Post openings, track applications and interviews, and source candidates using BambooHR
• Support a fair and consistent hiring process, including reference checks, I-9 and E-Verify compliance, and offer letters
• Lead new employee onboarding, including orientation, BambooHR setup, and first-week coordination
• Engage administrative support or external recruiters as needed

Labor Law and Compliance

• Help ensure HR operations comply with applicable California and federal labor laws
• Provide labor law guidance to inform leadership decisions, and develop or refine HR procedures with related training
• Administer workers' compensation claims and support employees applying for the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), California Paid Family Leave, disability, and other leave programs

HR Operations and Administration

• Maintain accurate, confidential HR records, files, and template libraries in BambooHR
• Keep thorough and timely HR documentation across the employee lifecycle
• Serve as HR liaison for benefits, 401(k), and insurance brokers, and provide payroll support as needed
• Support HR learning initiatives, reporting, and team presentations, and identify opportunities to strengthen HR processes over time

Desired Experience and Competencies

Sequoia seeks a seasoned HR professional with a strong generalist foundation and deep experience in California employment law, employee relations, and people operations, someone who brings both strategic thinking and hands-on capability and thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

This is a meaningful opportunity for an HR professional who wants substantive work at a firm where the environmental outcomes of its projects genuinely matter. The ideal candidate communicates clearly, handles sensitive matters with discretion, and cares deeply about the people they support.

HR Expertise and Compliance

• Five to seven years of progressive HR experience, including experience supervising or leading others
• Strong working knowledge of California and federal labor law, FMLA, California Paid Family Leave, and workers' compensation
• Technical expertise across employee relations, leave administration, human resources information systems (HRIS), benefits, compensation, policy development, and staffing
• Experience with BambooHR or a similar HRIS preferred
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Recruiting and Talent

• Track record managing full-cycle recruiting across diverse roles, including technical, scientific, and senior-level positions
• Experience recruiting at an architecture, engineering, or science-based firm is a plus
• Experience building onboarding that supports cultural integration and retention

Employee Relations and Leadership

• Strong employee relations skills, with experience advising managers on sensitive personnel matters with tact and professionalism
• Experience mentoring supervisors and building trusted relationships at all levels
• Ability to support organizational design, performance improvement, and related HR tools and systems

Communication, Organization, and Analysis

• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, with a strong customer service orientation
• Outstanding organization, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a fast-paced environment
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret data, spot trends, and make actionable recommendations
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), and comfort developing new tracking and management tools

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time (40 hours per week), exempt, benefit-eligible position. The anticipated annual salary range is $110,000 to $125,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Sequoia provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical and dental insurance, a 401(k) program, paid time off, paid professional development, mentoring and career advancement opportunities, and regular company-sponsored staff events.

Location and Requirements

This position is based in Sequoia's Walnut Creek, CA headquarters and is a hybrid role, with the expectation that the HR Manager will be in the office at least 50 percent of each week. Occasional travel to Sequoia's other California offices may be required. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States and willing to attend trainings, conferences, or workshops as needed. A willingness to work occasional extended hours during peak periods is expected.

To Apply

To apply, please submit a resume and a brief cover letter describing your qualifications and what you would bring to the role. You can also send it through email to Bill Montana - [redacted].

Start Date

This is an immediate opening. The anticipated start date will be coordinated with the selected candidate.