HR Operations Specialist (ASAP contract: Payroll, Benefits, HR admin)

The Choice is managing an immediate contract opportunity for our client, a national nonprofit organization in the higher education and fundraising sectors.

The HR Specialist will play a key part in HR Operations. You will join a collaborative team led by a forward-thinking manager who champions fresh ideas, continuous improvement, and smarter, more efficient ways of working.

This position begins as an immediate temporary engagement, but for the right candidate, it has strong potential to evolve into a permanent role.

• Location: Washington, D.C. Close walking distance to Metro Center. The first 30 days are fully in person. After 30 days it will be 3 days in office/2 days remote.
• Duration: Temporary/possible temporary to hire
• Salary: $30/h-$32/h

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Previous HR, payroll, or administrative experience for a non-profit
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage sensitive information confidentially
• Experience with HRIS systems (Dayforce preferred, but very open to other HRIS experience)
• Strong technical skills
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Ability to multitask and thrive in a fast-paced environment

Key Responsibilities

HRIS & Data Management

• Manage day-to-day data entry and maintenance in HRIS (Dayforce)
• Maintain electronic and physical employee files
• Generate ad-hoc HR reports and maintain organizational charts
• Update internal staff intranet and global HR calendar
• Track key deliverables (e.g., performance evaluations, employment verifications)
• Coordinate onboarding and offboarding tickets and processes

Benefits & Payroll

• Support and help lead annual benefits enrollment (presentations, data file feeds)
• Serve as a key point of contact for employee benefits inquiries
• Assist with benefits audits, updates, and compliance
• Track employee leave, payroll updates, and year-end/new year transitions
• Maintain accurate records for semi-monthly payroll changes in Dayforce
• Partner with Payroll and Accounting to confirm transactions

General HR Administrative Support:

• Code and process benefits invoices
• Draft internal HR communications
• Support recruitment processes (reference checks, offer letters, background checks via HireRight and SkillSurvey, I-9 compliance)
• Serve as the primary contact for incoming HR inquiries
• Assist with planning and executing HR events in the D.C. office

This is a temp position to start, but for the right person could become perm. If perm, the role is eligible for excellent benefits including PTO, medical, vision and dental insurance, 401k, and more!