Sr. People Operations Specialist

Location : Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Schedule : Monday – Friday | 9:00am - 4:00pm
Work Type : Hybrid (4 days onsite required)
FLSA Status : Non-Exempt
Compensation: $44.38 – $53.25 per hour ($75,000 – $90,000 annually, based on a 32.5-hour workweek), depending on experience and alignment with the role

Who We Are

Clearly Filtered is a fast-growing direct-to-consumer brand focused on helping people access cleaner, safer water through advanced filtration technology. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to maintaining a thoughtful, people-centered workplace where employees feel supported, challenged, and empowered to do great work.
Our People team plays an important role in supporting the structure, consistency, and employee experience that help the company scale while continuing to invest in the people behind the business.

About the Role

The Sr. People Operations Specialist plays a key role in executing core People operations across the employee lifecycle. This role helps ensure payroll, benefits administration, recruiting coordination, employee records, and HR processes run smoothly, accurately, and compliantly.
This position is ideal for someone who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and dependable, someone who takes pride in operational excellence, communicates clearly, follows through consistently, and handles sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.
You’ll work closely with the People team to help create a strong employee experience while keeping day-to-day People operations running efficiently behind the scenes.

This role is based in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. Candidates should only apply if they are comfortable working onsite at least 4 days per week.

What You’ll Do

Payroll & HR Operations

• Process payroll updates and assist with payroll administration with a high degree of accuracy
• Audit timecards, employee changes, deductions, and payroll-related data for completeness and compliance
• Maintain employee records and ensure HRIS data remains accurate and up to date
• Execute onboarding, offboarding, promotions, compensation changes, and other employee lifecycle processes
• Prepare and maintain HR documentation, forms, and employee files
• Assist with reporting, audits, and compliance-related administrative processes

Recruiting & Hiring Coordination

• Coordinate interview scheduling and hiring logistics across departments
• Maintain communication with candidates throughout the interview process
• Manage job postings, candidate tracking, and hiring documentation
• Support offer preparation, background checks, and new hire setup activities
• Help create a professional, organized, and positive candidate experience

Benefits & Leave Administration

• Serve as a point of contact for employee questions related to benefits, payroll, and People processes
• Coordinate benefits enrollments, changes, and related administrative activities
• Manage leave of absence coordination, including documentation tracking and employee communication
• Partner with employees, managers, and vendors to help ensure leave processes are handled accurately and professionally

Employee Support & Process Coordination

• Respond to employee questions and day-to-day People-related requests in a timely and professional manner
• Help maintain People documentation, internal resources, and operational processes
• Support training coordination, policy acknowledgements, and employee communications
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and process consistency
  
  

What You Bring

• 3–5 years of experience in People Operations, HR administration, payroll, or a related role
• Experience reviewing payroll and timecard data with strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Working knowledge of California wage and hour requirements, including overtime, meal/rest breaks, and final pay requirements
• Familiarity with benefits administration and leave of absence coordination
• Experience supporting recruiting coordination and hiring processes
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
• Comfort working within HR systems and handling confidential information with discretion
• Strong follow-through, responsiveness, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and adapt in a fast-moving environment

Preferred

• Experience working in a small or high-growth company environment
• Familiarity with Paycom or similar HRIS/payroll systems
• Exposure to payroll administration within a California employer environment

Who You Are

• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with a strong sense of ownership and follow-through
• Reliable and dependable, consistently delivering accurate work in a fast-paced environment
• Professional and discreet when handling sensitive employee information and situations
• A strong communicator who keeps processes moving and follows through consistently
• Adaptable and resourceful, able to manage shifting priorities and solve problems independently
• Comfortable balancing operational administrative work with employee-facing support

What We Offer

• A collaborative, hardworking, and supportive team environment
• A consistent Monday – Friday schedule, working 9am – 4pm (yes, really)
• Hybrid work flexibility
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid holidays, floating holiday, and PTO
• The opportunity to be part of a growing brand focused on helping people live healthier lives

What to Expect

Our interview process is designed to help us get to know you beyond your resume while also giving you a clear understanding of the role, team, and work environment.
The process typically includes:

• An initial video interview with a member of the People team
• A second video interview with the hiring manager focused on operational experience, attention to detail, and problem-solving
• A final onsite interview with team members and cross-functional partners

We aim to keep the process thoughtful, communicative, and respectful of your time throughout each stage.
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Clearly Filtered is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees and applicants. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.