People and Culture Manager

This is a hybrid position that requires in-person work 3 days per week in our Brooklyn Office.

Organizational Background

VOCAL-US is a national organization and the infrastructure hub for the VOCAL family of state-based organizations in New York, Kentucky, and Texas. Founded in 1999, VOCAL-NY is a statewide membership organization that builds power among low-income people affected by HIV/AIDS, the drug war, mass incarceration, and homelessness in order to create healthy and just communities. We accomplish this through community organizing, leadership development, advocacy, direct services, participatory research and direct action. VOCAL-US was founded in 2022, and launched its first expansion project VOCAL-Kentucky that same year. VOCAL-Texas launched in September 2023. 

Position

The People & Culture Manager will provide daily Human Resources partnership with employees, including employee benefits, payroll, disciplinary action, recruitment, onboarding and retention. The People & Culture Manager will work closely with our Chief of Staff to develop and implement policies and practices that allow our staff to do their best work, develop professionally, and achieve organizational goals – all while maintaining a healthy and affirming workplace culture. 

You’ll be leading our efforts to provide equitable and compassionate human resources support at a moment of growth and expansion at VOCAL-US. This role will be responsible for ensuring sound human resources practices, including the implementation and assessment of employment policies, legal compliance, benefits evaluation, payroll systems review, and development of our employee manual and intranet.

Specific Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Review and process payroll on a semi monthly basis.
• Serve as the main point of contact for staff to utilize and understand VOCAL-US’s benefits, including: PTO,  health, dental and vision insurance, short-term disability, flex spending accounts, health reimbursement accounts, 401K plan and match, etc.
• Support Human Resources functions in all chapters, including New York, Texas and Kentucky.
• Manage annual renewals and Open Enrollment for health and FSA benefits.
• Coordinate planning and implementation of leaves of absence, including parental, medical, and sabbatical leave.
• Be the in-house expert on  ADP WorkforceNow, and manage our relationships with ADP representatives.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and organizational policies.
• Support staff in mediating workplace conflicts and grievances.
• Maintain accurate and up to date human resources records and employment files.
• Research, develop, and implement policies and procedures, all with an equity lens – including employee handbook, job descriptions, and other materials.
• Support staff in completing the annual evaluation process.
• In close partnership with hiring leads, oversee the full life cycle of recruitment, including job postings, candidate screening, offers, negotiations, and onboarding.
• Coordinate offboarding process for departing staff.
• Plan occasional staff-wide trainings to promote shared learning and growth. 
• Oversee professional development stipend program.
• Develop and implement mechanisms to gather staff feedback.
• Support the Chief of Staff in team-building activities that help advance a culture of inclusion and belonging.

Desired Background

• 5+ years experience working in human resources, preferably at a social justice nonprofit.
• Professional HR certification preferred (SHRM-SCP or SPHR).
• Exceptional problem-solving skills with the emotional intelligence to work effectively with people from all walks of life.
• Self-motivated to produce high quality work, and improve skills.
• Proven track-record of creating and implementing systems.
• Clear & effective communication skills - both written and verbal.
• Experience and training in conflict management and/or mediation.
• Experience with collective bargaining and union relations is a plus.
• Ability to respond with ease to rapidly changing priorities and successfully manage multiple projects at once.
• Must be able to keep sensitive information confidential, have excellent integrity, and impeccable judgment.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), Google applications and a high degree of comfort with technology required; familiarity with ADP Workforce Now is a plus.
• Deep commitment and willingness to cultivate an organization rooted in anti-racism, and that prioritizes & supports the success of staff directly impacted by HIV, the drug war, incarceration, and homelessness. 
• Understanding of and commitment to VOCAL-US’s mission.

VOCAL-US is an equal opportunity employer. People who currently or have a history of using drugs, women, people of color, people who are LGBTQ and people living with HIV/AIDS are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit our website at www.vocal-ny.org.

Full-time benefits: 20 vacation days, 15 wellness days, 13 paid holidays, and two-week paid year-end break in December; 100% employer-covered health, vision and dental insurance; 401k plan with 5% employer match; health and dependent care FSA; cell phone; and unlimited Metrocard.