Human Resources & Payroll Coordinator

Part-Time | On-Site | 20-25 Hours per Week

$24-$26 Hourly

Location: Milwaukee, WI

ABOUT TINY GREEN TREES

Tiny Green Trees is a nature-based childcare center committed to high-quality early childhood education, environmental stewardship, and a strong, supportive workplace culture. Our team values professionalism, compliance, collaboration, and care for children, families, and staff alike.

We believe strong Human Resources systems are essential to sustaining a healthy organization and protecting both employees and the center. This role plays a critical part in ensuring that foundation.

JOB SUMMARY / DESCRIPTION

The Human Resources & Payroll Coordinator is responsible for managing and supporting the day-to-day HR and payroll functions of the center. This includes compliant onboarding and offboarding, payroll and benefits administration, employee recordkeeping, and employment law compliance, while partnering closely with leadership to support staff systems and organizational integrity.

This is a hands-on, on-site role ideal for someone who understands both the technical requirements of HR and the human side of people operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

HR Compliance & Employment Law 

• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and childcare-specific regulations
• Ensure proper employee classification, documentation, and recordkeeping
• Support leadership with HR compliance questions and policy interpretation
• Remain current and.reviews policies and practices to maintain compliance

Recruitment, Onboarding & Offboarding

• Oversees talent recruitment, including job postings, candidate interviews, reference checks, and coordination of the hiring process.
• Manage compliant onboarding from offer letter through first day of employment
• Ensure completion and accuracy of I-9s, W-4s, background checks, and required onboarding documentation
• Coordinate compliant offboarding, including final pay, documentation, and system access updates
• Oversees and conducts employee disciplinary meetings, terminations, and investigations.

Payroll Administration

• Process payroll accurately and on time
• Track hours, PTO, wage changes, and payroll adjustments using systems set in place.  
• Ensure payroll aligns with labor laws, center policies, and approved schedules
• Address payroll questions or discrepancies with discretion and urgency
• Researches and proposes competitive base and incentive pay programs to ensure the organization attracts and retains top talent.
• Direct and assist in the annual reviews and makes salary recommendations to the Executive Director

HR Operations & Employee Support

• Maintain confidential personnel files and HR systems
• Support benefits administration and employee inquiries
• Analyzes trends in compensation and benefits
• Assist with audits, licensing documentation, and internal reporting
• Support leadership with employee relations documentation and HR workflows
• Directly participates in the investigation of confidential issues,employee complaints and counsel personnel on employee related matters.

Collaboration & Culture

• Partner with leadership to strengthen HR systems, policies, and procedures
• Bring innovative ideas to assist with the growth and development of our internal processes. 
• Support a positive, professional workplace culture rooted in fairness, clarity, and accountability.
• Assist with coordinating various activities designed to promote and maintain high employee morale.

Other

• Identifies opportunities to minimize workplace injuries, accidents, and health problems.
• Reviews safety training and recommends revisions, improvements, and updates.
• Reviews accidents, claims and incident reports
• Responsible for security systems, building access administration 

REQUIREMENTS

• Degree, HR certification or relevant coursework (SHRM, HRCI, or similar)
• Demonstrated experience in Human Resources administration
• Working knowledge of employment law and HR compliance
• Experience with payroll processing
• Strong understanding of compliant onboarding and offboarding practices
• High level of discretion, organization, and attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

PREFERRED 

• Experience in small to mid-sized organizations
• Experience in childcare, education, or highly regulated environments
• Familiarity with Homebase / Brightwheel / Intellikids  platforms

HR certifications such as SHRM-CP, PHR, or aPHR are strongly preferred and demonstrate knowledge of HR compliance, employment law, and best practices. Additional training or certification in payroll, employment law, HR systems, or workplace safety is a plus and supports success in this position.

WORK SCHEDULE & ENVIRONMENT

• 20-25 hours per week
• On-site work required
• Flexible scheduling within operational needs

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

This position helps ensure Tiny Green Trees operates with integrity, compliance, and care. The ideal candidate is proactive, dependable, and confident in their HR knowledge.  Someone who understands that strong consistent systems create stability, trust, and a healthy workplace for everyone.

Salary : $24 - $26