People Generalist (Foster City)
About MidPen
At MidPen, we build communities that change lives. Since 1970, we have been committed to our mission: to provide safe, affordable housing of high quality to those in need; establish stability and opportunity in the lives of residents; and foster diverse communities that allow people from all ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds to live in dignity, harmony, and mutual respect.
We develop affordable housing, provide professional property management for all our communities, and coordinate robust onsite support programs that help residents thrive. We are active in 12 Northern California counties and have earned recognition as one of the nation’s leading non-profit developers and stewards of affordable housing. Our current portfolio of more than 142 properties is home to 22,800 working families, seniors, and people with special needs. We take pride in delivering affordable housing solutions, and we invite you to join us on a journey toward social, economic, and racial equity.
Location: Foster City
People Generalist
The People Generalist is a welcoming first point of contact for MidPenners and the managers who lead them. This role helps keep the everyday work of the People Team running smoothly by answering questions, providing guidance, supporting performance and development activities, maintaining accurate People information, and turning data into clear insights. The Generalist helps ensure employees and managers receive consistent, timely, and respectful support.
Working across the People Team and alongside People Business Partners, the People Generalist provides hands-on support across manager and employee needs, performance management, compliance, People data, and team initiatives. The role requires strong follow-through, sound judgment, attention to detail, and a service-oriented approach. Through exposure to broader People Team and business partnership work, the Generalist has opportunities to build business acumen and expand their People expertise over time.
Responsibilities:
Employee and Manager Support
- Serves as a first point of contact for routine employee and manager questions about MidPen policies, procedures, and People Team processes.
- Provides guidance to managers on routine People matters, including performance expectations, feedback, documentation, attendance, workplace communication, and application of People policies; supports routine performance management questions and engages Employee Relations when additional support is needed.
- Partners with People Business Partners to support assigned departments while developing an understanding of their operations, workforce needs, organizational structure, and People priorities; gathers information, prepares materials, and coordinates follow-up on routine People matters.
- Builds relationships with managers and employees across assigned business areas to develop credibility and an understanding of the employee experience; helps employees navigate available resources, including the policy platform, Employee Assistance Program, and benefits information, in partnership with People Operations.
- Recognizes and escalates complex, sensitive, or higher-risk matters to the appropriate People Business Partner or Employee Relations partner.
Employee Lifecycle
- Supports internal mobility by coordinating communication and follow-up among employees, managers, People Business Partners, and other People Team partners
- Supports the employee offboarding experience by coordinating assigned communications and follow-up in partnership with People Operations and People Business Partners
People Team Operations and Data
- Prepares routine and ad hoc reports from People Team systems, including performance, learning, employee experience, and exit data; translates People data into clear summaries and visuals that help People
- Business Partners and leaders identify trends and understand workforce needs.
- Maintains accurate, organized, and confidential employee personnel files and People Team records in accordance with established recordkeeping practices; partners with People Operations to resolve employee data discrepancies and support data accuracy.
- Identifies friction in People Team processes and suggests practical improvements; assists with maintaining and updating People policies, procedures, and the employee handbook.
- Manages employee housing license agreements, including move-in and move-out activities, in partnership with Property Management.
Performance and Development
- Coordinates performance review cycles in Lattice, including communications, reminders, completion tracking, reporting, and helping managers and employees navigate the process and platform
- Coordinates logistics, communications, materials, and follow-up for trainings, workshops, manager office hours, and other People Team learning activities
Compliance and Policy
- Supports the consistent interpretation and application of MidPen policies and procedures by providing routine guidance and escalating questions when additional review is needed
- Assists with required notices, postings, documentation, audits, and other compliance activities
- Exercises sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential, sensitive, and employee-related information
Culture and Employee Experience
- Supports People Team initiatives and employee experiences that reinforce MidPen’s values of Integrity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence
- Supports engagement surveys, recognition efforts, listening sessions, and People Team events through communications, coordination, materials, reporting, and follow-up
- Performs other duties as assigned, including supporting special projects and People Team initiatives
Qualifcations:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the education, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Psychology, Communication, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
- One to three years of experience in a People Team, HR, coordinator, or customer-facing support role
- Experience in a nonprofit, multi-site, or affordable housing environment is preferred, but not required
- aPHR, PHR, SHRM-CP, or a People/HR certificate is preferred, but not required
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Foundational understanding of California and federal employment laws and People Team best practices.
- Approachable, warm, and trustworthy, with the ability to build relationships with employees at all levels.
- Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organization, follow-through, and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities, deadlines, and ensure accuracy and thoroughness.
- Learning agility, with the ability to step into unfamiliar situations, ask thoughtful questions, and navigate challenges; demonstrates a coaching mindset that helps others reach their own solutions.
- Ability to analyze reports, identify trends, and communicate findings clearly.
- Proficient in Microsoft 365, including Outlook, Teams, Excel (filters, pivot tables, and charts), SharePoint, and Forms.
- Familiarity with HRIS (such as ADP Workforce Now), performance management (such as Lattice), learning management (such as Bridge), applicant tracking (such as Greenhouse), policy management (such as Grace Hill), and e-signature platforms, or similar systems; willingness to learn new tools as MidPen grows.
- Comfortable using AI tools to draft, summarize, and organize work, with sound judgment when handling confidential employee information and a habit of verifying outputs against established policies.
- Must possess a valid California Driver’s License, proof of current auto insurance, and reliable transportation.
Physical Requirements
- Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks, frequently sitting
- Occasionally stand/walk, reach/work above shoulders, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, use a telephone, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 20 pounds
- Rarely twist/bend/stoop/squat, kneel/crawl
Working Conditions
- Must be available to work 8a-5p, Monday through Friday
- Occasional travel to properties and offices to connect with field teams
Pay Range
$95,000.00 - $105,000.00 Annual Salary - Pay based on applicable experience and qualifications
Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred
Benefits and Compensation (see here for full details)
- Health Insurance
- Dental, Vision, Life & Disability Insurance
- 403(b) Retirement Investment
- Employee Education Reimbursement Program
- Paid Parental Leave
- FSA for Childcare, Medical, and Commuter Benefits
- EAP Program
- Pet Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Company Holidays
- Wellness Days
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
MidPen Housing Corp. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please notify your recruiter. Consistent with its obligations under the law, MidPen Housing Corp. will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.
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