Human Resources Assistant
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DIRECTOR - HUMAN RESOURCES - HARBOR
City of Long Beach
Harbor - (UC)
Location
Long Beach, California, 90802
Salary
$192,025 - $268,836
per year
Type
Full-Time
More Human Resources jobs →Closes
April 17, 2026
Job Description
Summary
This job is for a top HR leader at the busy Port of Long Beach, where you'll guide daily HR operations like hiring, employee support, safety, and development in a unionized setting with lots of international trade activity.
You'll partner with executives to build a strong, diverse team that fits the port's goals for efficiency and sustainability.
It's ideal for an experienced HR professional who thrives in fast-paced, complex environments and enjoys shaping company culture.
Key Requirements
- Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on HR and talent management strategies aligned with the Port’s Strategic Plan
- Lead day-to-day HR operations including safety, talent acquisition, workforce planning, leave management, leadership development, employee relations, total rewards, and employee engagement
- Provide expert consultation and coaching to drive organizational effectiveness, navigate change, and sustain a resilient workforce in a complex, unionized environment
- Champion an inclusive culture by embedding diverse practices into talent management and leadership development
- Experience in a maritime or transportation industry setting, with knowledge of unionized workforces
- Strong skills in process improvement, data-driven metrics, and fostering employee engagement and well-being
- Ability to position the organization as an employer of choice in a competitive industry
Full Job Description
THE PORT OF LONG BEACH IS SEEKING A
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
(This is an at-will position)
Salary Range: $192,025 – $268,836
ABOUT US
The Port of Long Beach, one of the world's busiest seaports, serves as an international gateway for the reliable, efficient, and sustainable movement of goods and is a leader in environmental stewardship.
Credited with facilitating approximately $300 billion in trade, the Port serves as a vital hub for international commerce and is a major transportation hub.
East Asian trade accounts for the bulk of Long Beach shipments.
Port-related international trade has a significant economic impact, supporting millions of jobs that benefit both the region and the country as a whole.
THE TEAM
The Human Resources (HR) Division cultivates a safe, inclusive and high-performing workplace by delivering an integrated human capital strategy that aligns with the Port’s Strategic Plan, Mission, Vision and Values.
In partnership with all divisions, HR advances the Port’s strategic objective to attract, develop and retain a diverse and highly qualified workforce by providing comprehensive human capital, organizational development, and environmental health and safety services.
Through strategic alignment, data-driven performance metrics, and a collaborative team-oriented culture, HR enables organizational excellence while fostering employee engagement, accountability, well-being, and continuous improvement.
THE ROLE
Reporting to the Managing Director of Organizational Effectiveness, the Director of Human Resources is an at-will management position that leads the day-to-day delivery and continuous process improvement of HR operations—to include safety, talent acquisition, workforce planning, leave management, leadership development, employee relations, total rewards, and employee engagement—in a complex, unionized environment.
As a key partner to leadership, this position provides expert consultation and coaching to drive organizational effectiveness, navigate change, and sustain a resilient, skilled workforce.
The role is instrumental in positioning the Port as an employer of choice within a highly competitive and operationally dynamic maritime industry.
CANDIDATE CONNECT (INFORMATION SESSION)
To learn more about this exciting career opportunity and the Port of Long Beach, please join our virtual information session on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 5:00 – 6:00 PM PDT via Microsoft Teams.
This is a unique opportunity to hear first-hand about the position, speak directly with the hiring manager, ask questions, and learn why the Port of Long Beach is your employer of choice!
Candidates are not required to be on camera. Click here to join the meeting.
To join audio-only, call +1 323-451-1087. Phone Conference ID: 943 616 582#. Please note that the PowerPoint presentation will not be visible to participants joining the meeting through audio-only.
Requirements
HOW YOU GET TO CONTRIBUTE:
- Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership by developing, implementing, and evaluating human resources and talent management strategies that directly support the Port’s Strategic Plan and organizational priorities.
- Champion a winning culture focused on employee experience by embedding inclusive practices into all aspects of talent management, leadership development, and workplace policies.
- Develop and manage the Human Resources budget, ensuring responsible allocation of resources and alignment with organizational priorities.
- Develop, interpret, and administer HR policies and procedures, ensuring consistency, transparency, and alignment with organizational goals.
- Lead the design and execution of high-impact, enterprise-wide initiatives involving complex stakeholders and significant operational or financial implications, ensuring cross-department alignment and delivering measurable improvements in workforce effectiveness, engagement, and organizational performance.
- Lead labor relations strategy, including negotiations, administration of collective bargaining agreements, and fostering productive relationships with labor representatives.
- Identify and implement innovative, data-driven HR solutions that improve organizational effectiveness, operational efficiency, and employee experience.
- Lead organizational design and restructuring efforts, supporting departments through change management initiatives to improve effectiveness and adaptability.
- Direct the development and administration of classification and compensation programs, ensuring internal equity, market competitiveness, regulatory compliance, and fiscal responsibility.
- Direct the development and execution of talent acquisition and retention strategies, including building pipelines for critical roles, strengthening employer branding, and improving the overall candidate and employee experience.
- Oversee the Environmental, Health, and Safety (EH&S) function, ensuring regulatory compliance, mitigating organizational risk, and advancing a proactive culture of safety and environmental health.
- Oversee workforce planning by identifying current and future talent needs, analyzing gaps, and implementing targeted strategies to ensure the organization has the capabilities required to meet its long-term objectives.
- Oversee the performance management program, ensuring leaders are equipped to set clear expectations, provide ongoing feedback, address performance gaps, and hold employees accountable for results.
- Oversee, conduct, and provide expert HR guidance on employee relations functions, including investigations, discipline, conflict resolution, and ensuring consistent application of policies and procedures.
- Establish and lead succession planning and leadership development efforts to build a strong internal talent bench and ensure continuity in key positions.
- Drive employee engagement and retention by implementing programs that enhance performance, career development, coaching, and feedback, while fostering a high-performing and inclusive workplace culture.
- Represent Human Resources before executive leadership, governing bodies, and external stakeholders; prepare and present reports, recommendations, and policy proposals.
- Foster cross-functional collaboration and build strong partnerships across departments to address workforce challenges and advance strategic initiatives.
- Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications
Current City of Long Beach employees with active status will receive priority consideration for this opportunity. If an insufficient number of qualified internal candidates apply, external applicants may be considered.
EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:
Educational Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in human resources management, business administration, industrial/organizational psychology, organizational development or leadership, public administration, industrial relations, psychology, sociology, communications, or a related discipline is required;however, candidates may substitute professional experience offering specific and substantial preparation for the duties of the position for the required education on a year for year basis.
Professional certification such as SHRM-CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR, IPMA-CP/SCP, CCP, and/or AWI-CH is desired.
Experience Requirements: Ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional human resources experience, including five (5) years of direct supervisory experience is required.
Supervisory experience must be in a human resources functional area and involve oversight of professional-level employees.
What we are looking for:
To be successful in this role, you must be a collaborative and operationally strong HR leader with a demonstrated history of building effective cross-functional relationships and successfully implementing programs that enhance organizational service and value.
Political savviness is critical as the role operates at the intersection of leadership priorities, workforce needs, and organizational dynamics that are influenced by competing interests, public accountability, and stakeholder scrutiny.
The ideal candidate brings experience working with diverse teams and technical human resources disciplines, along with a deep understanding of human resources practices—particularly within California’s complex employment environment and the public sector.
The successful candidate must exercise sound judgment in applying employment law, policies, and procedures, and demonstrate strong organizational, planning, and communication skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
Additional Information
The final filing date for this recruitment is Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PDT.
The Port reserves the right to extend the closing date without notice in order to accept additional applications. Those individuals determined to be most qualified for the position will be invited to participate in the selection process.
To be considered for this opportunity, please submit your cover letter and resume as a single PDF to hrexecrecruitment@polb.com. Incomplete submissions (without a cover letter and resume) will not be considered.
Individuals who are most qualified for the position will be invited to participate in the selection process, which may include a work-related assessment to further evaluate qualifications.
A panel interview is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026 (in-person). Candidates should ensure they are available on the specified date.
The successful candidate will be appointed shortly thereafter. An employment offer is contingent on a comprehensive background check that may include contacting references.
The Port of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act.
You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer.
If the Port of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.
Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act or https://www.longbeach.gov/hr/about-us/talent-acquisition/the-fair-chance-act/.
If you require accommodation because of a disability in order to participate in any phase of the application/selection process, please contact (562) 283-7500 or email hrexecrecruitment@polb.com.
THE BENEFITS:
The Port of Long Beach has established an annual salary range of $192,025 – $268,836. An attractive package of executive-level benefits is also included, with the opportunity to work in one of the most diverse and dynamic areas of the United States. The Port’s generous benefits package includes:
- Auto Allowance – $550.00 per month
- Executive Leave – 40 hours per year.
- Retirement – CalPERS 2% @ 62, coordinated with Social Security. Current member contributions are 8.00% for CalPERS and 6.2% for Social Security, paid by the employee.
- Pay for Performance – Pay for Performance is awarded based on employee performance as demonstrated through achievement of individual goals, demonstration of required competencies, and available budget funds.
- Deferred Compensation – The City contributes up to 5% of the base salary for all qualified members contributing to the 457(b) plan.
- Group Health Insurance – Medical and dental options (HMO and PPO). Free vision coverage.
- Life Insurance – City-paid life insurance policy of $20,000 plus executive insurance benefit equal to three times annual salary up to a maximum of $500,000.
- Disability Insurance – City-paid short- and long-term disability insurance.
- Vacation – Vacation is accrued at 3.7 hours per pay period to begin, which is equivalent to two weeks on an annual basis. Vacation can be used after six months of service.
- Sick Leave – Accrued at 8 hours per month. Accruals may be converted upon retirement into cash credits toward health and/or dental insurance premiums or retirement service credits.
- Paid Parental Leave – After six (6) months of City employment, the City pays up to 30 consecutive days (160 hours) for eligible employees to take paid time to bond with the child upon birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, up to the age of 17.
- Holidays – 11 scheduled holidays per calendar year and four (4) personal holidays.
- Bereavement Leave – 5 days for the death or critical illness of an immediate family member.
- Education Reimbursement – Tuition reimbursement allows employees to obtain additional education or training.
- Annual Physical – Eligible to receive an annual physical examination at the city's expense through the city-provided program.
- Public Student Loan Forgiveness – As the Harbor Department of the City of Long Beach, a governmental agency, the Port of Long Beach is a qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
529 college savings plan – The ScholarShare529 plan is an account that allows employees to invest specifically for future education expenses through the Long Beach City Employees Federal Credit Union.
Funds can be used from your 529 savings plan to send your grandkids, kids, or even yourself to any accredited public or private U.S.
college or university, or two-year technical or vocational institution.
The Port of Long Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer
We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
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