Human Resources (HR) Specialist

We are looking for a Human Resources (HR) Specialist to join a growing company in the Princeton Nj area. This Contract position supports day-to-day HR and payroll activities, helping maintain accurate employee information, assist with hiring coordination, and provide responsive support to employees and managers. The ideal candidate brings strong administrative experience, sound judgment with confidential information, and the ability to keep multiple processes organized in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate hiring support activities, including preparing job postings, reviewing incoming applications, and scheduling interviews with candidates and hiring teams.

• Maintain employee files and HR records with a high level of accuracy, ensuring documents, status updates, and personal information are kept current and secure.

• Assist with onboarding for new employees by preparing employment paperwork, collecting required documents, and helping facilitate orientation activities.

• Address routine employee questions related to HR policies, benefits, payroll timing, leave balances, and pay documentation in a timely manner.

• Support payroll administration by tracking corrections, monitoring deductions and garnishments, and updating tax withholding and address changes as needed.

• Prepare recurring and ad hoc HR or payroll reports for managers, while keeping organized audit-ready files and maintaining a daily log of issues or follow-up items.

• Monitor employee status changes and help ensure HR and payroll actions are processed correctly and completed on schedule.

• Contribute to compliance efforts by following established policies and supporting adherence to applicable federal, state, and local employment requirements.

• High school diploma or equivalent required; an Associate’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related discipline is preferred.
• 3-4 years of experience in an administrative, human resources support, or payroll support role.
• Working knowledge of core HR practices, employment regulations, and general workplace compliance standards.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Experience with payroll platforms such as ADP and familiarity with HRIS and applicant tracking systems.
• Strong organizational skills with close attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Clear communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact professionally across all levels of an organization.
• Ability to handle sensitive employee and payroll information with discretion and confidentiality.