Human Services Program Policy Analyst (Departmental Promotional Only)
County of San Mateo
Posted: January 26, 2026 (1 day ago)
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City of Santa Monica
Human Resources
Location
Santa Monica, California, 90401
Salary
$13,421 - $16,569
per month
Type
Full Time
More Human Resources jobs →Closes
This job involves leading a team in a city government's human resources department, handling tasks like hiring, employee relations, training, benefits, and data analysis to support city workers.
It requires overseeing daily operations, ensuring compliance with laws, and making improvements to HR processes across departments.
A good fit would be someone with strong leadership skills, experience in HR management, and the ability to handle budgets and negotiations in a public sector setting.
DEFINITION
Plans, manages, and directs a division responsible for the administration of any combination of the following human resources functions: personnel recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, labor relations, employee relations, training and development, personnel administration, human resources information systems and analytics, and employee benefits.
SUPERVISION
Works under the administrative direction of the Director of Human Resources who outlines work priorities, occasionally reviews work in progress and periodically reviews completed work. Exercises general supervision over assigned professional, paraprofessional, technical, and clerical support staff.
Plans, implements, and manages the staff and operations of a Human Resources division that includes oversight of any combination of the following HR functions: recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, labor relations, employee relations, staff development, personnel administration, human resources information systems and analytics, employee benefits, and other associated programs.
Develops and implements goals and objectives for the division, and administers associated programs, policies, rules, regulations, and procedures across all City departments, consistent with State and federal requirements and sound professional principles and practices; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery; and identifies and implements associated improvements.
Supervises and mentors staff, including assigning, planning, coordinating, and reviewing work; evaluating work performance and completing performance evaluations; maintaining work standards; selecting and hiring personnel; recommending and implementing employee discipline; and providing training and assistance on tools and processes as needed.
Prepares and presents staff reports to the Personnel Board, City Council, and other audiences.
Develops, maintains, and administers rules, policies, procedures, and practices pertaining to human resources functions and activities; ensures that personnel policies and procedures are in compliance with State and federal laws.
Obtains, monitors, and supervises professional services and consultant work to ensure that project objectives, budgets and schedules are consistent and conform to City plans and policies.
Gathers a variety of statistical data and performs research and analysis of complex administrative, technical, or operational issues.
Prepares feasibility studies and makes recommendations on the impact to the Department's operation.
Interprets program and workforce analytics data, and prepares and presents associated recommendations.
Prepares and administers an HR division budget; monitors and approves expenditures.
May act on behalf of the Director of Human Resources as assigned.
Performs other duties as assigned.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES (FUNCTION SPECIFIC)
Manages the recruitment and selection of City staff in accordance with local, State, and federal requirements, including conducting and/or coordinating recruitment and examination activities for highly complex or executive-level classifications.
Assists the Chief Negotiator in the negotiation of wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment with recognized bargaining units. Acts in the capacity of the City’s Chief Negotiator, as assigned.
Develops and recommends strategy for the negotiations of Memoranda of Understandings (MOU) with recognized bargaining units; formulates and implements effective bargaining strategies and techniques; develops and finalizes MOU language; and ensures that the provisions of the negotiated MOU are implemented by operating departments.
Manages the City’s classification and compensation plan, including supervising and/or conducting studies and implementing recommendations; supervises data collection and analysis; assists in the development and presentation of salary recommendations which are consistent with City compensation policies.
Directs a variety of functions related to the administration and processing of employee assignments, including activities associated with manual and automated human resources record-keeping; performing workforce analytics, administering the maintenance of all paper-based and electronic personnel records; and planning, designing, implementing, and continuously assessing the personnel record management, storage, and retrieval systems.
Oversees disciplinary matters within the City; provides training and advises management and supervisory personnel regarding the disciplinary process, performance management, and associated collective bargaining agreement content; and recommends solutions to personnel related issues.
Oversees the development and administration of staff development and training programs, including administering organizational needs assessments and evaluating program effectiveness.
Plans, implements, and monitors information and reporting systems to ensure timely and effective completion of programs and projects and compliance with local, State, and federal statutes and guidelines, contracts, and other plans.
Oversees the investigation of discrimination and harassment complaints, and may conduct such investigations based on Human Resources Department staffing and/or the nature and/or complexity of the complaint.
Reviews and evaluates the results of discrimination and harassment investigations conducted by Human Resources staff or an outside investigator, and develops and makes recommendations for resolution of complaints and allegations.
Serves as liaison with the City Attorney’s Office regarding the investigations and discipline.
Oversees the preparation and administration of the department’s annual budget; performs and prepares a variety of complex financial, budgetary, and fiscal analyses and reports; coordinates the preparation of division budgets and prepares final department budget for department head approval; serves as liaison with the Finance Department regarding the Department's budget.
Plans, coordinates, and directs the activities of the City’s employee benefits programs, including coordinating with carriers and brokers, reviewing and recommending policy changes, and negotiating rates.
Performs other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
Principles, practices, trends, and methods of human resources administration, including those related to personnel selection, labor and employee relations, benefits administration, personnel administration, HRIS administration, and staff development
Principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluation
Laws, rules, regulations, court decisions, and legal interpretations concerning human resources and personnel administration
Principles of report writing
Principles of effective customer service
Principles and techniques of collective bargaining
Investigative techniques and report writing
Principles of financial management, including budget administration and preparation
Office productivity software such as word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs
Integrated human resources information record-keeping systems
Principles and methods for conducting research, quantitative analysis, and qualitative analysis
Principles and practices pertaining to equity, inclusion, and diversity programs and initiatives
Ability to:
Negotiate union contracts in a public sector environment
Implement projects and programs
Research, analyze, solve, and prepare recommendations related to a variety of policies, practices, and other issues
Keep abreast of current developments within human resources
Analyze complex administrative problems, evaluate alternatives, and prepare and adopt effective courses of action
Represent the department in meetings, including making presentations in public forums
Act as a resource for City departments on regarding human resources and personnel matters
Exercise independent judgment and initiative
Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with a wide variety of individuals
Plan, organize, and supervise the work of others
Express difficult situations and concepts effectively in oral and written presentations
Interpret and apply applicable rules, laws, and procedures relevant to human resources operations
Gather, evaluate, and summarize data used to inform decisions
Ensure compliance with City, county, State, and federal regulations and guidelines
Oversee and participate in the preparation and maintenance of a variety of manual and automated personnel records and files
Investigate complaints and make appropriate recommendations
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of City staff and representatives of public agencies and private organizations
Independently plan and organize work to meet schedules and timelines
Work with persons from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds as well as a variety of work styles, personalities and approaches.
Acknowledge, value and support diversity of thought, opinion and approach with customers and colleagues regardless of background, culture and organizational level
Execute work that adheres to the City’s stated principles of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion including, but not limited to, your “duty to act” to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all persons and historically underrepresented groups
Skill in:
Fostering an inclusive and supportive environment in which everyone in the City has an opportunity to thrive
Incorporating an equity perspective to day-to-day work in all responsibilities, decisions and actions of providing public service
REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree.
Five years of recent, paid, professional-level public sector, human resources experience in any of the following areas: employee relations, personnel administration, labor relations, recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, benefits administration, or training and development.
Two of the required years of experience must have included supervising professional staff.
Licenses and Certificates:
Possession of a valid Class C driver license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is primarily performed indoors in an office environment. Office work requires sitting for prolonged periods of time and using a computer keyboard and screen. May be required to work evenings and/or weekends.
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