HR Specialist POST NUMBER: 466087

Job Title: HR Specialist
Location: Norwalk, CT (Onsite)

Position Summary

Our client, a mission-driven nonprofit organization, is seeking an HR Specialist to join its Human Resources team. This is a hands-on role supporting a broad range of HR functions, including recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, benefits administration, performance management, compliance, and HR systems.

This opportunity is ideal for an HR professional who values collaboration, strong customer service, and being actively involved in day-to-day HR operations within a purpose-driven environment.

Responsibilities

Employee Relations & HR Support

• Serve as a trusted resource to employees and managers on HR policies, procedures, and employment practices

• Support employee relations matters with professionalism, discretion, and empathy

• Ensure consistent application of policies and compliance with employment laws

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Support full-cycle recruiting, including job postings, screening, interviews, reference checks, and onboarding coordination

• Coordinate onboarding and orientation programs to ensure compliance and successful employee integration

Benefits & HR Administration

• Assist with benefits administration, including enrollments, life events, vendor coordination, and open enrollment

• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records within the HRIS

• Prepare HR reports and metrics to support leadership decision-making

Compliance & Process Improvement

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and internal policies

• Support audits, regulatory requirements, and risk mitigation efforts

• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of HR programs, processes, and systems

Team & Structure

• Reports to the HR Director

• Works closely with senior HR leadership

• Collaborative team culture where everyone contributes

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field

• 3–5 years of progressive HR experience (Specialist, Generalist, or Coordinator level)

• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practices

• Recruiting and end-to-end HR process experience required

• Strong communication skills and customer-service mindset

• Comfortable working onsite and being hands-on

• Experience with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office

HR certifications (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP) and/or a Master’s degree are strongly preferred.

Compensation

• Salary range: $70,000 – $90,000

• Potential flexibility for candidates with advanced credentials and experience

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company’s 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.