Payroll Clerk and HR Assistant

The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is currently hiring for a hiring for a full-time, hourly, non-exempt and benefited, Payroll Clerk & HR Assistant at our Miramar location.

ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK

Established in 1977, the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is a critical component to the welfare of San Diego County, providing nutritious food to people in need, advocating for the hungry and educating the public about hunger-related issues. For more information about the organization, please visit

Our Mission:

The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and our North County Food Bank Chapter provide nutritious food to people in need, advocate for the hungry, and educate the public about hunger-related issues.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The San Diego Food Bank feeds approximately 400,000 people every month in partnership with 450 nonprofit community partners.
• We are the fourth largest independent food bank in the country.
• We distributed 52 million pounds of food in fiscal year 2024-2025; almost 45% of that food being fresh produce.
• We have a 99% rating on Charity Navigator.

We are committed to innovation and sustainability to reduce our impact on the environment. We have 1,400 solar panels, we are LEED v4 Gold Certified, we have a 3,600 sq. ft composting and recycling center that houses our recycling and composting machine and received the 2020 Business Waste Reduction & Recycling award.

POSITION PURPOSE
Under the direct supervision of the Human Resources Manager, the Payroll Clerk & HR Assistant will assist in coordinating HR activities and operations and provide payroll and administrative support to the HR department. This role emphasizes HR functions such as payroll processing, employee documentation, and benefits administration. Additionally, the Payroll Clerk & HR Assistant will provide backup for the front desk, ensuring a welcoming and efficient office environment for employees and visitors. This role combines HR-specific responsibilities with general administrative support, making it an essential part of the HR team and daily office operations.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this position. All duties are expected to be performed in accordance with existing company policy and procedure. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Payroll & Benefits Support

• Provide support for payroll processing by ensuring timecards are accurate, tracking employee leave, and verifying payroll data before submission.
• Collaborate with the Payroll Department to ensure timely and accurate processing of payroll data.
• Assist in maintaining payroll records and addressing payroll-related inquiries from employees.

Human Resources & Administrative Support

• Provide administrative support to the HR Department, including assisting with onboarding and employee documentation.
• Maintain and update employee records in compliance with HR policies and regulations, ensuring all documentation is accurate, up-to-date, and properly filed.
• Assist with benefits administration, including coordinating open enrollment, updating employee benefits, and communicating HR policies to employees.
• Support HR in processing new hires, including scheduling interviews, preparing materials for employee orientation, and ensuring completion of all required paperwork.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive HR-related information with discretion and professionalism.

Front Desk & Office Operations

• Occasionally serve as the first point of contact for visitors, including employees, clients, and vendors, ensuring excellent customer service and a welcoming office environment.
• Answer, screen, and direct calls to the appropriate departments or individuals, maintaining clear communication and professionalism.
• Manage front desk activities, including greeting guests, handling deliveries, and maintaining a positive and organized atmosphere.
• Handle confidential and non-confidential matters, including customer complaints, using sound judgment and discretion.

Communication & Collaboration

• Facilitate smooth office processes and communication between the main office and food bank warehouse locations.
• Cultivate and maintain professional relationships with clients, partners, and vendors, ensuring positive and welcoming interactions.
• Contribute to enhancing the organization’s reputation and staff morale through professional communication and positive engagement.

Miscellaneous Administrative Support

• Provide general administrative support to the management team, including data entry, document preparation, and photocopying.
• Maintain filing systems and organize office documentation for easy retrieval and compliance with retention policies.
• Perform other administrative duties as required by the organization.

IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate for the Payroll Clerk & HR Assistant role will possess a strong combination of payroll, HR, and administrative skills, including keen attention to detail, excellent organizational abilities, and effective communication. This individual will thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and demonstrate professionalism when handling HR and administrative responsibilities. They will also be a proactive team player, eager to support the HR department and contribute to the overall success of the organization.

EDUCATION, TRAINING and EXPERIENCE
A typical way of obtaining the necessary education, training, and experience for this position includes:

• Graduation from high school or G.E.D equivalent or equivalent combination of training and experience that obtains the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined below.
• 1 year of payroll/ HR experience.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

• Payroll processing
• Proficiency in operating telephone systems, including answering, screening, and forwarding calls.
• Familiarity with office equipment such as computers, fax machines, and printers.
• Strong understanding of HR-related administrative tasks, including recruitment, onboarding, employee documentation, benefits administration, and HR compliance.
• Basic understanding of payroll processes and the ability to assist in payroll processing and ensure accuracy.
• Customer service principles and best practices.
• Basic troubleshooting skills for resolving connectivity and office equipment issues.
• Understanding of maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive HR and payroll information.
• Familiarity with supply management and inventory tracking.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) or equivalent office productivity software.
• Knowledge of office and HR administrative systems and tools, with the ability to quickly learn and use new systems when required.

Ability to:

• Handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism, particularly in HR and payroll matters.
• Assist with payroll processing while ensuring accuracy in employee compensation and related records.
• Maintain high attention to detail when managing payroll data, employee records, HR documentation, and office inventory.
• Coordinate and maintain office supply inventory, including monitoring stock levels and overseeing supply orders.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with staff, management, external vendors, and partners to support HR and administrative functions.
• Provide customer-focused service by managing visitor interactions, employee inquiries, and external communications in a professional manner.
• Organize and prioritize multiple HR and administrative tasks effectively in a fast-paced work environment.
• Demonstrate problem-solving skills when addressing employee, customer, or operational issues related to HR or payroll.
• Adapt to changing priorities and responsibilities while maintaining efficiency and productivity.
• Collaborate with HR and office administration colleagues to support team goals and maintain a positive workplace environment.
• Contribute to the organization’s reputation and employee morale through professional interactions and effective support services.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Fluent in Spanish / English preferred.

COMPENSATION
This is a full-time, non-exempt/hourly/benefited position.

• A market-level competitive salary is between $27.00 - $29.00 per hour based on experience.
• The compensation package includes a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package including: 403(b) plan with 200% employer matching; excellent health care coverage with free employee medical, dental and vision plans; company paid term life insurance; and a generous accrual of paid vacation and sick leave.

WORK SCHEDULE

• Monday – Friday from 8:00am – 4:30pm.
• This position rarely requires OT, weekend shifts, or long hours.
• This position is not required to travel.

HOW TO APPLY

• Interested and qualified candidates should apply below.
• Submissions missing a resume will not be considered for the position.
• Background check and drug test are required for the position before employment starts.