NICOLE VARGAS
Spring,USA
Summary
Dynamic Human Resources Manager with a proven track record at Spectrum of Hope, excelling in employee relations and compliance. Expert in benefits administration and performance management, driving employee engagement initiatives that enhanced retention. Skilled in HRIS systems like Paylocity, coupled with strong leadership coaching abilities to foster a productive workplace.
Overview
1
1
Certification
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Spectrum of Hope
Houston, TX
03.2025 - 08.2026
- Directed day-to-day HR operations for a multi-site ABA therapy organization, partnering with executive, clinical, and operational leaders on employee relations, compliance, workforce planning, and organizational initiatives.
- Managed complex employee relations matters, workplace investigations, corrective actions, performance improvement plans, separations, and unemployment/agency responses while maintaining consistent documentation and risk-conscious practices.
- Administered ADA accommodations, FMLA and other leaves, pregnancy-related accommodations, and interactive-process documentation in alignment with federal and state requirements.
- Led benefits administration and open enrollment, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement plans, Qualified Life Events, employee education, vendor coordination, eligibility, and enrollment troubleshooting.
- Completed and supported Form 5500, ACA, EEOC, retirement-plan, and benefits audits; gathered and validated records, responded to audit requests, reconciled discrepancies, and coordinated corrective documentation with vendors and plan partners.
- Developed and updated employee handbook provisions, HR policies, SOPs, attendance practices, onboarding requirements, workplace conduct standards, and compliance processes.
- Built and improved HR programs supporting employee engagement, retention, onboarding, training surveys, leadership coaching, recognition, and RBT workforce initiatives.
- Managed HRIS processes in Paylocity and benefits administration through Bswift, including employee lifecycle changes, records, reporting, acknowledgments, surveys, and benefits workflows.
- Partnered with leadership on compensation changes, promotions, job descriptions, offer letters, bonus structures, staffing decisions, and sensitive employee matters.
- Supported credentialing-process transition and compliance initiatives for ABA staff, including required screenings, documentation standards, and onboarding procedures.
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
DM Clinical Research
Houston, TX
01.2022 - 01.2025
- Led HR operations spanning benefits, employee relations, policy compliance, performance management, compensation reviews, onboarding, offboarding, and HR records.
- Administered benefits and compliance activities, including Form 5500 filings, 401(k) audits, enrollment changes, and regulatory documentation.
- Partnered with employees and management to address workplace concerns, conflicts, grievances, and performance matters confidentially and consistently.
- Managed employee lifecycle transactions and HR data across Paycor, ADP Workforce Now, and Paycom.
HUMAN RESOURCES BENEFITS & COMPENSATION MANAGER
DM Clinical Research
Houston, TX
- Managed medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement benefits; oversaw annual open enrollment and Qualified Life Events.
- Administered FMLA, parental, medical, and personal leave and supported ADA accommodation processes.
- Maintained ERISA, ACA, and COBRA compliance; coordinated benefits documentation, reporting, audits, and employee communications.
- Supported compensation and benefits analysis, vendor relationships, employee education, and issue resolution.
HUMAN RESOURCES COORDINATOR / HR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
DM Clinical Research
Houston, TX
- Employee Records & HR Data: Maintain and update employee records in HR databases.
- Payroll Support: Assist in payroll preparation by providing relevant employee data.
- HR Coordination: Organize HR projects, meetings, and training seminars.
- Onboarding Assistance: Support new employee onboarding activities.
INTERNAL MEDICINE OFFICE MANAGER
Newport Concierge Medical Care
02.2016 - 05.2017
- Managed office and HR operations, supervised staff, supported patient services, maintained documentation, and resolved customer and operational issues in a fast-paced medical environment.
OFFICE MANAGER / MEDICAL ASSISTANT
Helen Stosel M.D. Inc.
Mission Viejo, CA
09.2011 - 01.2016
- Oversaw office operations and HR functions including recruitment, training, supervision, performance evaluation, medical billing, insurance follow-up, recordkeeping, and staff leadership.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration - Human Resources Concentration
University of Houston-Victoria
Victoria, TX05.2022
Skills
- Employee Relations & Investigations
- HR Compliance & Audits
- ADA / FMLA / Leave Administration
- Benefits & Open Enrollment
- ERISA / ACA / COBRA
- Performance Management & Corrective Action
- Policy & SOP Development
- HRIS & Payroll
- Compensation
- Employee Engagement & Retention
- Leadership Coaching
- Onboarding & Offboarding
- Paylocity
- Bswift
- Paycor
- ADP Workforce Now
- Paycom
- Microsoft Office
- Google Workspace
- HR Reporting & Data Analysis
- Payroll
- Benefits Administration
- 401(k) Administration
Certification
- Employment Law Certification, 2024
- Benefits Manager Certification, 2024
- Compensation Metrics Certification, 2024
Hr Systems And Technical Skills
- Paylocity
- Bswift
- Paycor
- ADP Workforce Now
- Paycom
- Microsoft Office
- Google Workspace
- HR Reporting & Data Analysis
- Payroll
- Benefits Administration
- 401(k) Administration
Timeline
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Spectrum of Hope
03.2025 - 08.2026
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
DM Clinical Research
01.2022 - 01.2025
INTERNAL MEDICINE OFFICE MANAGER
Newport Concierge Medical Care
02.2016 - 05.2017
OFFICE MANAGER / MEDICAL ASSISTANT
Helen Stosel M.D. Inc.
09.2011 - 01.2016
HUMAN RESOURCES BENEFITS & COMPENSATION MANAGER
DM Clinical Research
HUMAN RESOURCES COORDINATOR / HR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
DM Clinical Research
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration - Human Resources Concentration
University of Houston-Victoria