Human Resources Specialist

Job Title: Human Resources Specialist Job Description The Human Resources Specialist manages full-cycle HR operations for a design-focused professional services firm, including recruiting, benefits administration, payroll, employee relations, performance management, and compliance. This role offers the opportunity to own key HR processes, shape HR strategy, and support a collaborative, design-driven culture while partnering closely with leadership and staff across multiple office locations. Responsibilities

- Manage full-cycle recruiting for architects, designers, and support staff, from drafting and posting job descriptions through candidate sourcing, interviewing, selection, and offer negotiation.
- Administer employee benefits enrollment, ensuring accurate and timely processing of all benefits elections, changes, and terminations.
- Administer employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and leave policies, and ensure clear communication of benefits to employees.
- Serve as the primary point of contact with employee benefit providers and brokers, coordinating benefit-related questions, updates, renewals, and issue resolution.
- Oversee payroll processing in ADP and ensure accurate, timely payment for employees across all office locations.
- Coordinate timesheets and review reported work hours to ensure accuracy, alignment with policies, and proper integration with payroll systems.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for employee relations matters, providing guidance to managers, addressing concerns, and resolving workplace issues in a fair and consistent manner.
- Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes to ensure a consistent, positive employee experience, including new hire orientation, documentation, and exit procedures.
- Maintain compliance with federal, Washington DC, and Dallas employment laws and regulations, and ensure HR practices and policies reflect current legal requirements.
- Manage performance review cycles and support managers in goal setting, feedback processes, and documentation of performance discussions.
- Maintain and update the employee handbook, HR policies, and procedures to reflect current practices, legal requirements, and company culture.
- Track key HR metrics, including turnover, time-to-fill, and employee engagement, and prepare reports and insights for firm leadership.
- Support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the firm by partnering with leadership to implement programs and track progress.
- Manage ADP systems and maintain accurate employee records, ensuring data integrity across HR, payroll, and benefits modules.
- Coordinate professional development programs, including licensure support for design staff (AIA/NCARB) and tracking continuing education requirements.
- Collaborate with firm leadership to help shape HR strategy and improve HR processes, systems, and employee experience.
- Provide guidance on HR systems and tools, including ADP and Ajera, and support users with troubleshooting and best practices.

Essential Skills

- 510 years of experience as a Human Resources Specialist or Generalist.
- Experience working in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry or similar professional services environment.
- Demonstrated experience processing and administering payroll within ADP.
- Strong background in employee relations, including conflict resolution and workplace issue management.
- Hands-on experience with onboarding and offboarding processes.
- Proficiency in human resources systems and HRIS platforms, including ADP.
- Working knowledge of Washington DC and Dallas employment law and related regulations.
- Experience administering employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and leave policies.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications for documentation, reporting, and communication.
- Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail in managing HR records, processes, and deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and communicate effectively with employees and managers at all levels.
- Demonstrated discretion and sound judgment in handling confidential employee information.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

- High school diploma required; bachelors degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
- 5+ years of progressive HR experience, ideally within architecture, engineering, or professional services environments.
- Experience using Ajera in conjunction with ADP platforms for HR and payroll-related activities.
- PHR, SPHR, or SHRM-CP certification preferred.
- Ability to interpret and apply employment laws and regulations across multiple jurisdictions.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for policies, employee communications, and leadership reporting.
- Ability to analyze HR metrics such as turnover, time-to-fill, and engagement, and present insights to leadership.
- Demonstrated ability to support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
- Interest in and ability to coordinate professional development, licensure support (AIA/NCARB), and continuing education tracking for design staff.

Work Environment This role follows a hybrid work schedule, with three days onsite in Washington, DC and two days remote each week. Standard hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The environment is collaborative and design-driven, with close interaction among architects, designers, and support staff. The firm emphasizes professional development, including support for licensure and continuing education, and offers a competitive benefits package. The Human Resources Specialist works with modern HR technologies, including ADP and Ajera, and partners with leadership to shape HR strategy and foster an inclusive, engaging workplace culture.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Washington, DC.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $36.06 - $38.46/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Washington,DC.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 16, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.