Human Resources Generalist

About The Company

The Surfrider Foundation is the world’s largest grassroots coastal conservation organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches for all people through a powerful activist network. Since its inception in 1984, the organization has achieved numerous victories by influencing policy at the state, federal, and local levels to safeguard vital coastal and ocean resources. The Foundation’s success is rooted in the active participation of recreational users and coastal communities, emphasizing the importance of community-led stewardship. Surfrider’s reputation is built on its strong track record of advocacy, its vibrant community of passionate coastal enthusiasts, and its commitment to fostering a sustainable future for our oceans and beaches.

Joining Surfrider means becoming part of an inclusive, supportive, and dynamic team that values collaboration, passion, and purpose. The organization promotes a culture where employees work hard, have fun, and are dedicated to making a tangible difference in coastal conservation. Surfrider’s values are reflected in its lifestyle approach—embodying a love for the ocean, active recreation, and environmental responsibility. The Foundation offers an environment that encourages leadership development, innovation, and community engagement, providing opportunities for personal growth within the nonprofit sector.

About The Role

The Surfrider Foundation is seeking a Human Resources Generalist to support its ongoing growth and to enhance employee engagement across its nationwide team. This role is a hands-on, individual contributor position that works closely with the Sr. Human Resources Manager to implement HR programs, ensure legal compliance, and improve the overall employee experience. The ideal candidate is a mid-career HR professional who thrives in a collaborative nonprofit environment, capable of managing day-to-day HR operations independently, and passionate about supporting a mission-driven organization.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to strategic people initiatives, support recruitment and retention efforts, administer employee benefits, and foster a positive workplace culture. The HR Generalist will play a critical role in supporting staff and volunteers who are dedicated to coastal conservation. The role balances operational HR responsibilities with strategic support, providing a strong foundation for long-term career growth within the nonprofit sector. The position is primarily remote, with minimal in-office requirements at the Surfrider headquarters in San Clemente, CA.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4+ years of progressive, hands-on experience working directly in human resources across multiple functional areas
• Strong knowledge of federal, state (including California), and local employment laws and regulations
• Experience supporting or managing the full recruitment lifecycle, including job postings, applicant screening, interviews, and onboarding
• Proficiency with HRIS/HRMS platforms and HR-related software systems
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and professionalism
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, active listening, and conflict resolution abilities
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail
• Comfortable facilitating meetings, training sessions, and presentations
• Advanced proficiency in Mac OS and Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Interested in remote work opportunities in Human Resource? Discover Human Resource Remote Jobs featuring exclusive positions from top companies that offer flexible work arrangements.

• Ability to work independently in a remote environment while collaborating with a distributed team
• Reside in Southern California within reasonable commuting distance to San Clemente, CA
• Authorized to work in the United States
  
  

Preferred qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree or coursework in Human Resources or related field, HR certifications such as PHR, and experience supporting multi-state or remote workforces within nonprofit organizations.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leadership to support talent acquisition, including job description development, applicant review, interview coordination, and onboarding processes
• Support employee retention initiatives by identifying opportunities to improve the employee experience and implementing HR solutions
• Assist in updating and developing training materials, onboarding resources, and organizational knowledge tools
• Administer employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, FSA, HSA, and 401(k) plans
• Manage benefits enrollment, changes, and coordinate annual open enrollment activities
• Support time and attendance systems, monitor employee leave balances, and ensure compliance with policies and regulations
• Provide guidance to employees and managers on timekeeping, PTO policies, and related procedures
• Maintain accurate HR records, ensure compliance with employment laws, and update HR policies as needed
• Support employee relations, including handling sensitive HR matters, investigations, and disciplinary actions

Browse our curated collection of remote jobs across all categories and industries, featuring positions from top companies worldwide.

• Stay informed about HR trends, legal updates, and emerging technologies to recommend improvements
• Perform other HR-related duties as assigned to support organizational goals and compliance
  
  

Benefits

• Health insurance: Medical, dental, and vision premiums paid 100% for employee-only coverage, with options to add dependents at an additional cost
• 401(k) plan with a matching contribution of 0.50¢ per dollar up to 4% of earnings
• Generous vacation accrual, with rollover policies in place
• 20 paid holidays annually
• Summer Fridays: Several half-days to promote work-life balance and outdoor recreation
• Paid parental leave: Six weeks following childbirth, adoption, or foster care placement
• Additional benefits include long-term disability insurance, term life insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
  
  

Equal Opportunity

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.