Senior Human Resource Analyst

Under general direction of the Human Resources Director, performs advanced, complex, and specialized professional human resources work in multiple program areas including recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, labor and employee relations, benefits administration, risk management, training and organizational development, and workers compensation. Serves as a senior-level analyst responsible for leading major HR initiatives, conducting complex studies, and providing technical supervision to professional, technical, and clerical staff. Exercises independent judgment, discretion, and maintains strict confidentiality in handling sensitive personnel matters.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the advanced journey-level and lead professional classification within the Human Resources series. Incumbents perform complex and high-impact assignments that require substantial expertise, sound judgment, and a high degree of independence.
Positions at this level:

• Lead major human resources programs, initiatives, and cross-departmental projects.
• Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and functional direction to professional and support staff.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in one or more specialized human resources disciplines.
• Participate in labor negotiations and provide analytical and strategic support in complex employee and labor relations matters.
• Exercise independent judgment and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential issues.

This classification is distinguished from the Human Resources Analyst by its broader scope of responsibility, greater autonomy, leadership of complex projects, involvement in policy development, and more significant organizational impact. The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. Management reserves the right to modify work assignments and make reasonable accommodations so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the position .

• Lead full-cycle recruitment and selection processes, including development of job announcements, examinations, eligibility lists, and hiring procedures in compliance with merit system principles.
• Develop job announcements, recruitment strategies, and outreach plans.
• Design, validate, and administer written, oral, and performance examinations, create eligibility lists and ensure recruitment best practices.
• Provide guidance to oral boards and ensure legal and procedural compliance.
• Conduct complex classification and compensation studies, job audits, and organizational analyses.
• Prepare and revise class specifications and salary recommendations.
• Conduct salary and compensation surveys; analyze market data.
• Assist the Director on employee and labor relations matters, including investigations, grievances, performance management, discipline, and policy interpretation.
• Analyze and apply Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), personnel rules, and federal and state employment laws, including FLSA, FMLA/CFRA, ADA, FEHA, and related regulations.
• Conduct confidential workplace investigations and prepare detailed findings, recommendations, and supporting documentation.
• Lead and conduct complex classification, compensation, and organizational studies; prepare and revise class specifications and salary recommendations.
• Perform salary and total compensation surveys; analyze internal equity and market competitiveness; develop fiscally responsible recommendations.
• Oversee and administer employee benefits programs, including open enrollment, vendor coordination, plan analysis, and employee consultation.
• Coordinate employee benefits program and contracts, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, COBRA, Section 125, disability, and EAP.
• Coordinate the Citys workers compensation program; monitor claims, facilitate return-to-work efforts, and communicate with third-party administrators.
• Facilitate interactive process meetings and reasonable accommodation discussions; provide guidance on industrial and non-industrial leave administration.
• Prepare complex analytical reports, staff reports, and presentations.
• Maintain the Human Resources Information System (HRIS); ensure data integrity, confidentiality, and accurate reporting.
• Coordinate employee training programs, including supervisory and compliance training; conduct new employee orientations and exit interviews.
• Provide technical leadership, project management; lead cross-departmental HR initiatives and special projects.
• Serve as liaison between employees, vendors, consultants, and administrators.
• Support compliance with Public Records Requests involving personnel matters.
• Lead cross-departmental HR initiatives.
  
  After the evaluation of minimum qualifications, examination parts for this recruitment may include, but are not limited to the following: written exam, performance exam, oral appraisal interview, physical ability test, oral presentation, project assignment, etc. If moved forward, candidates will be notified via email of the type of examination required for this recruitment.

Any combination equivalent to training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities would be acceptable for employment. A typical background for minimum qualifications in both education and experience would be:

Education
Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, or a closely related field. A Masters degree is desirable.
Experience
Six (6) years of progressively responsible professional human resources experience, including experience in multiple functional areas such as recruitment, classification, labor relations, and benefits administration. Public sector experience in a California municipal agency is highly desirable. Supervisory or lead experience is preferred.

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
Possession of or ability to obtain a valid California Class C Drivers License.
PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification is highly desirable.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge Of

• Principles and practices of public sector human resources administration
• California employment laws and regulations, including FLSA, FMLA/CFRA, ADA, FEHA, and related statutes
• Labor relations principles and collective bargaining practices in a public agency setting
• Classification, compensation, and salary survey methodologies
• Recruitment, selection, and examination development techniques consistent with merit system principles
• Workers compensation laws, claims administration, and return-to-work programs
• Benefits administration, vendor management, and plan design analysis
• Organizational development, workforce planning, and training methodologies
• Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) and data analysis techniques
• Principles of public administration and municipal operations

Skilled In

• Conducting complex classification, compensation, and organizational analyses
• Researching, interpreting, and applying laws, regulations, MOUs, and personnel policies
• Investigating employee relations matters with discretion, objectivity, and sound judgment
• Preparing clear, comprehensive analytical reports, staff reports, and executive-level presentations
• Managing multiple high-priority projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Utilizing HRIS systems, spreadsheets, and analytical tools to evaluate workforce data
• Communicating effectively and persuasively, both orally and in writing
• Facilitating discussions and resolving conflict in sensitive workplace situations

Ability To

• Analyze complex personnel issues and develop practical, legally defensible solutions
• Exercise independent judgment while maintaining strict confidentiality
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, management, labor representatives, and external partners
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to professional and support staff
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local employment laws in a municipal environment
• Adapt to changing priorities and organizational needs in a small-city setting
• Present information clearly and confidently before executive leadership, advisory bodies, or City Council

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions. The position requires frequent use of a personal computer and related software applications (including word processing, spreadsheet, database, and HRIS systems), telephone, copier, scanner, and other standard office equipment. Duties involve continuous sitting for extended periods, intermittent standing and walking, occasional bending, reaching, twisting, and fine manual dexterity for keyboarding and document handling. The incumbent must be able to lift and carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

The position requires regular verbal and written communication, including extensive telephone and electronic communication, and may require attendance at evening meetings or travel to off-site meetings, recruitment events, training locations, conferences, or other City facilities.
Work may occasionally be performed outdoors at recruitment testing sites, special events, or field locations, with exposure to sun, varying temperatures, wind, uneven surfaces, and other typical outdoor environmental conditions. The incumbent may also be exposed to moderately loud noise levels in field settings.

The position requires frequent interaction with employees, members of the public, and other stakeholders, including individuals who may be experiencing stress or conflict, necessitating professionalism, composure, and effective interpersonal communication.