SENIOR HR GENERALIST
Santa Ana, CA | Full-Time, Exempt | $80,000 - $90,000/year | Onsite
OneOC is proud to partner with Cristo Rey Orange County High School to recruit this exceptional opportunity.
About Cristo Rey Orange County High School
Cristo Rey Orange County High School is a Catholic, college-preparatory school committed to transforming lives through education, faith, and opportunity. As part of the national Cristo Rey Network, students gain professional work experience through the innovative Corporate Work Study Program while preparing for college and future careers.
The Opportunity
This is more than a traditional HR role. Cristo Rey Orange County High School is seeking a Senior HR Generalist to serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to leadership. This is a high-impact “HR team of one” opportunity for an experienced HR professional who thrives in building structure, ensuring compliance, and supporting a mission-driven workplace.
What You’ll Lead & Own
Strategic HR Leadership
- Partner directly with leadership on HR strategy and organizational effectiveness
- Build and strengthen HR systems, infrastructure, and processes
- Serve as a coach and advisor to managers on employee matters
Payroll, Compliance & HR Operations
- Manage full-cycle payroll processing using Gusto
- Ensure compliance with California employment laws, wage and hour regulations, OSHA, and applicable agencies
- Oversee HRIS, personnel records, reporting, and audit-ready documentation
- Manage timekeeping, leave tracking, and benefits administration
- Lead employee handbook updates and policy development
- Oversee workplace safety and workers’ compensation claims
- Track and ensure completion of required trainings
Talent Acquisition & Employee Relations
- Lead full-cycle recruitment, sourcing, screening, and onboarding
- Partner with hiring managers to attract mission-aligned talent
- Manage onboarding, background checks, and fingerprinting
- Lead employee relations efforts, investigations, and conflict resolution
- Support performance management and corrective action processes
- Foster a positive, equitable, and mission-aligned workplace culture
What You Bring
- Familiarity with or openness to the teachings and mission of the Catholic Church, along with commitment to building a vibrant organizational culture aligned with Cristo Rey’s mission and Catholic identity
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 7–10+ years of progressive HR experience, ideally in a nonprofit or educational setting
- Demonstrated experience managing payroll processing (Gusto preferred)
- Strong knowledge of California employment law and HR compliance
- Proven ability to operate independently in an HR team-of-one environment
- Experience advising leadership and handling complex employee relations matters
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail and sound judgment
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and HR systems
- HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP/SCP) preferred
Why Join Cristo Rey Orange County High School?
- Be part of a mission-driven organization transforming students’ lives
- Opportunity to build and shape HR infrastructure in a growing school
- Direct partnership with executive leadership
- Access to a national network of 41 Cristo Rey schools
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary: $80,000 – $90,000 annually
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
- Generous paid time off and holidays
- Eligible employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
How to Apply
Submit your resume and cover letter to MEchevarria@OneOC.org with the subject line:
“Cristo Rey Senior HR Generalist”
Note: This job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Management reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Cristo Rey is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive
consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other
characteristic protected by law.