People Operations Specialist

We’re on a mission to grow the game and culture of soccer in new ways. You’ll be joining a tight-knit, fast-moving team where your work directly impacts the experience of every teammate. If you're excited to build HR from the ground up—and you believe in the values of teamwork, agility, and passion—this is your chance to shape something meaningful.

Position Summary

We’re looking for a People Operations Specialist to join our growing team and play a key role in building the foundational HR processes that support our mission-driven soccer start-up. This role is ideal for someone who’s highly organized, detail-oriented, and eager to turn manual processes into efficient, scalable systems. You’ll work closely with the Director of People & Culture to support all aspects of the employee lifecycle—from recruiting to onboarding to benefits—while helping shape a positive, values-driven employee experience.

Key Or Essential Functions

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the duties listed below. The essential functions of the position include, but are not limited to the following:

Administration Support

• Assist the Director of People and Culture with scheduling, meeting preparation, and general administrative duties.
• Maintain and update employee records, files, and databases to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Help organize employee events, training, and culture-building initiates.
• Assist with monitoring compliance with company policies and processes including assistance with drafting and/or reviewing of company policies.
  
  

Recruiting

• Develop and post job openings on internal and external job boards.
• Screen resumes and applications, identifying candidates who meet basic qualifications.
• Schedule and coordinate interviews, including preparing interview materials, communicating with candidates, and coordinating schedules between managers and candidates for interview scheduling.
• Assist in tracking candidates through TeamWorks throughout the recruitment process including regular communication and updates to the candidate pool.
• Conduct references checks and assist with the pre-employment background screening and other pre-employment checks.
• Assist with seasonal hires including paid interns.
  
  

Onboarding And Offboarding

• Prepare materials for new hire onboarding sessions, including welcome materials and onboarding packets.
• Coordinate with relevant departments to ensure smooth transitions for new hires and departing employees.
• Meet with new hires, conduct new hire paperwork including benefits and safety, and process all necessary paperwork.
• Conduct employee offboarding paperwork, including COBRA, file management, collection of company equipment, and other processing.
  
  

Job Descriptions

• Collaborate with department managers and the Director of People and Culture to create, update and standardize job descriptions for all roles and/or create new job descriptions as needed.
• Ensure job descriptions accurately reflect responsibilities, qualifications, and expectations.
• Maintain a centralized database of job descriptions and facilitate periodic reviews for updates.
  
  

Performance Reviews

• Support the performance review process by tracking deadlines, sending reminders, and ensuring timely completion of all forms.
• Assist in preparing performance review templates and gathering input from managers.
• Provide logistical and administrative support for any performance related meetings or follow ups.
  
  

Benefits

• Support the Director of People and Culture in managing employee benefit programs, including enrollment, updates, and communications.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding benefits.
• Assist with onboarding new employees into benefits programs and ensure timely submission of forms.
• Maintain accurate benefits records and assist in annual open enrollment processes.
  
  

HR Projects

• Collaborate with the Director of People and Culture to implement and execute special HR initiatives, such as diversity and inclusion programs, employee engagement surveys, and workforce development plans.
• Assist in reporting and rolling out new processes, tools, and resources to enhance employee experience and operational efficiency.
• Provide logistical and administrative support for HR projects, including data collection, reporting, and communication.
  
  

Secondary Functions

• Office & Workplace Management:
• Maintain office supplies, kitchen stock, and workspace cleanliness
• Coordinate with building management and external vendors for maintenance, deliveries, and office security
• Oversee equipment inventory (laptops, monitors, key cards, etc.)
• Plan and execute internal events, team offsites, and holiday gatherings
• The startup nature and growth of USL Spokane requires highly skilled employees who can operate in a fast paced and frequently changing environment. All positions require an entrepreneurial spirit to identify new solutions, a can-do attitude with a goal of always finding a way to success, and the ability to thrive in an environment of ambiguity and change. As individual employees, members of a team, and part of the entire USL Spokane eco system, a passion for solving complex problems and contributing to the overall success of all operations is key. Every single employee contributes to a culture of working collaboratively and contributing to all aspects of the club. Employees must contribute fully to their own position and more broadly to all areas of business as needed to support the mission and drive forward success on and off the field.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in Human Resources, office administration, or related field, internship experience included.
• A combination or accumulation of applicable work-related experience and/or education may be recognized as sufficiently meeting the requirements based upon educational programs and specific experience.
• Strong knowledge of HR processes and employment best practices; familiarity with Washington State labor law is a plus
• Ability to pass comprehensive background check including a motor vehicle report.
• Ability to pass SafeSport training.
• Possess and maintain a current and valid driver’s license and maintain legally required insurance.
• Proven ability to build respectful working relationships and effectively communicate with employees, management, vendors, contractors, and community partners.
• High degree of personal initiative.
• High degree of discretion and ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information.
• Proven track record of personal and team achievements.
• Demonstrates superior customer service skills by ensuring each interaction leaves the individual feeling heard, appreciated, understood, and valued.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

To perform this jo successfully, an individual must meet the minimum qualifications listed below. These qualifications are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required to perform this position:

• Leadership: All positions at USL Spokane must perform their position with the mindset of leadership whether leading a team or department, a project, or one’s own daily work; proactively identifies barriers to success for the position and the organization and presents solutions; steps in to help other members of the team even when outside the scope of the position; demonstrates commitment to the growth and success of others at USL Spokane and in the community; empowers others to make decisions and share ideas; has empathy and compassion for others and their experiences; values and embraces diverse perspectives.
• Community and Environmental Stewardship: Ability to perform all work with continued commitment to seek solutions with minimal environmental impacts; generates and embraces ideas to adjust work methods to reduce waste; good overall understanding of the Spokane, WA community and makes business decisions to contribute to the overall health of the community.
• Adaptability: Ability to be flexible and adapt of changes, expectations, or delays, or unexpected events in the work environment while maintaining professionalism; ability to manage competing demands and prioritize tasks; ability to change approach or method to best fit the situation and prospect needs; ability to multi-task; and ability to thrive in a fast-paced changing environment with multiple interruptions while maintaining the ability to quickly refocus and shift priorities; must be mentally adaptable and flexible in dealing with a variety of people with the ability to answer questions in a professional and friendly manner.
• Analytical Ability: Ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and report on information; ability to use intuition, experience, and creativity to spot trends in data; ability to utilize strong conceptual and strategic mindset in the evaluation of information.
• Computer Ability:
• Thorough knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office with extensive experience in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Internet research with ability to troubleshoot problems, conduct extensive research and analysis, and utilize technology for increasing efficiencies
• Club provided laptop and in office phone system
• Other software as applicable
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability work with all personality types at all levels including staff, management, vendors, contractors, and the community; ability to build strong, meaningful, and respectful relationships; excellent customer service skills; good overall understanding of appropriate human relations; ability to constructively receive and apply feedback to improve performance.
• Communication Skills: Ability to articulately draft emails, strategic plans, operational manuals, and other written communication; excellent communication with ability to adjust communication style to meet the preferences of others; ability to actively listen and value other thoughts, experiences, and feedback; effective negotiation skills; ability to effectively present information and respond to questions.
• Dependability: Ability to consistently keep work organized to ensure follow through with completing tasks; ability to follow instructions; ability to meet deadlines; ability to consistently arrive on time and be at work as scheduled.
  
  

Equipment / Tools Utilized

• Frequent use of:
• Computer operations (laptop & desktop hardware), including 10-key functions
• Office equipment including copy machines, computers, and phone
• Other equipment deemed necessary
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Work is performed primarily in an office setting; some work performed in the field which includes traveling out of town, conducting work in various soccer stadiums and within the USL Spokane soccer stadium.
• Ability to work with moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noise while performing work in the field and at the stadium.
• Essential position functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to:
• Stand or sit for prolonged periods of time
• Regularly walk, talk, hear
• Occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist
• Lift, carry, push, and /or pull light to moderate amounts of weight up to 15 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds
• Operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard with ability to grasp and reach
• Utilize verbal and written communication to exchange information
  
  

Working Conditions

While performing the essential job functions, the employee may experience the following conditions:

• Position may require flexible hours which may include extended days, nights, weekends, holidays, and overnights due to travel.
• Deadlines and goals may generate stress.
• Noise Conditions: exposed to a variety of noise conditions including noise consistent with a standard office environment on a regular basis and exposed to loud noise while in stadium, on the road, and working directly with coaches and players.
• Heat/Cold: May be subject to heat, cold, wet and/or humid weather conditions, and occasionally extreme heat and/or cold.
• Atmospheric Exposure: Exposed to typical office environment conditions as well as some work conducted while outside and in the soccer stadium.
• Injury Exposure: May be exposed to mechanical equipment used to support players in their training.
• The club may accommodate some work from home and remote work based upon the needs of the club and suitability for the position.
  
  

Compensation And Benefits

• Exempt position with salary range of $55,000 - $65,000
• Eligible for annual discretionary bonus
• Unlimited vacation and paid sick leave (prorated sick leave the first year of employment)
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance provided with a 75% employer contribution for employee premiums.
• 50% employer contribution for dependent/spouse medical, dental, and vision.
• Employer paid employee life insurance and AD&D.
  
  

Note: USL Spokane retains the right to add or change the job description at any time. This position description is not all-inclusive, and employees may be required to perform duties outside this description to meet the organization’s needs.

USL Spokane is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. USL Spokane provides a work environment for employees that is free from unlawful discrimination. All employment-related decisions including hiring are made without consideration of an employee’s race, color, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, gender identify and expression, religion, age, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, marital status, genetic information, use of a trained service animal or dog guide, HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C status, or any other basis protected by local state or federal law.