Closing Date: 7/31/26

Applicants are encouraged to apply early

About Land Trust Of Santa Cruz County

Founded in 1978, the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County brings diverse communities and organizations together to protect and connect people to the lands that define this special place. We protect and steward farmland, watersheds, wildlife habitat, and land for public access in and around Santa Cruz County to support the environment, economy, and quality of life for future generations of people and wildlife.

We understand the critical role land plays in addressing climate change and calibrate our preservation efforts through this lens. At the same time, we know that land is cherished when people connect to it directly. From that perspective, we partner with groups and individuals to preserve and steward land that people can access, enjoy, and fall in love with.

We engage the entire county in our efforts to get bikers, hikers, birders, farmers, ranchers, and everyone who cares about the local environment and our uniquely beautiful vistas to become active stewards of the land.

The Land Trust aspires to be an organization that is representative of the communities we serve. We are looking for people with a passion for nature, land protection, and teamwork. We encourage everyone to apply for our available positions even if they don’t meet all the hiring criteria listed in the job description.

Position Snapshot 

Department: Admin + Ops
Status: Part-time, non-exempt
Location: Santa Cruz Office, in person
Minimum Starting Salary: $95,000 annually, with actual compensation prorated based on a 20-hour-per-week schedule.

Overview 

The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County (Land Trust) is a nonprofit organization at the forefront of environmental conservation in Santa Cruz County by protecting, caring for, and stewarding more than 19,000 acres of important habitat and farmland in the last 48 years. The Land Trust is seeking a motivated and collaborative person, experienced in human resources, to serve as the organization’s first Human Resources (HR) Manager. The Land Trust employs nearly 40 full-time and part-time employees whose talent and experience are the source of the organization’s success.

The Land Trust enjoys a collaborative and positive work culture, strives to surpass industry average employee retention rates, and is committed to paying at least a living wage. The Land Trust is looking for an experienced Human Resources Manager who will provide compliance expertise, oversee recruitment and hiring, administer employee benefits, coordinate performance management, manage HR systems, and support effective employee relations. Working closely with the Operations Manager and Leadership Team, the HR Manager will implement HR programs, advise supervisors, and support organization-wide initiatives.

Work Schedule & Location 

Work hours total approximately 20 hours per week, typically between 8 am – 5pm, Monday through Friday, with occasional early, late, or weekend work as needed.

This position will work in the downtown Santa Cruz, CA office, with potential for hybrid work in the future. This is a part-time position and is ideal for an experienced HR professional seeking a meaningful, mission-driven role with a flexible part-time schedule.

Responsibilities 

Human Resources Administration & Compliance

• Oversee the organization's human resources functions and day-to-day HR administration ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Maintain and update employee policies, procedures, and handbook in alignment with best practices and organizational values.
• Serve as a resource to employees and supervisors regarding HR policies, workplace expectations, and employment-related questions.

Recruitment, Hiring & Onboarding

• Lead all recruitment and hiring processes, including job postings, interview logistics, candidate communications, and offer documentation.
• Partner with hiring managers to support equitable and effective selection processes.
• Lead onboarding for new employees, ensuring a welcoming and consistent experience.

Compensation & Benefits

• Administer employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, leave policies, and wellness offerings.
• Support compensation planning and salary administration in collaboration with leadership.
• Partner with brokers to research, evaluate, and recommend enhancements to employee benefit offerings. 

Employee Relations & Performance Support

• Support positive employee relations, employee engagement, recognition programs, coaching, and problem-solving.
• Support supervisors with performance management processes, goal setting, feedback, and employee development.
• Work with supervisors to address workplace concerns and conduct, conflict resolution, disciplinary processes, and separations in a fair and consistent manner. 

Training & Professional Development

• Coordinate staff training initiatives, including compliance training, professional development opportunities, and safety.
• Track required certifications, training, and employee development plans as applicable. 

HR Systems & Data Management (Rippling)

• Maintain accurate employee records, reporting, workflows, and HR documentation within the Rippling platform.
• Recommend and implement process improvements for HR operations and employee experience.
• Conduct HR data analyses such as compensation benchmarking, pay equity reviews, and demographic analyses, to inform hiring strategy, organizational equity goals, and long-term talent planning.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Ability & Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3-5 years of experience, including experience independently managing an organization's HR function, preferably in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
• Knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices, including employee relations, benefits, and compliance.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and work effectively with employees at all levels.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities independently.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Ability & Experience 

• HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP, or equivalent).
• Experience managing HR systems (HRIS), such as Rippling or similar platforms.
• Experience with project management systems, such as Asana or similar platforms.
• Demonstrated interest in the Land Trust’s conservation work.
• Experience supporting equity-centered HR practices and inclusive workplace culture.
• Familiarity with California employment law and the greater Santa Cruz County region.
• Experience working in an organization with distributed or field-based staff.