Salary : $158,860.04 - $218,318.54 Annually
Location : City of Stockton, CA
Job Type: At-Will
Job Number: 0926-Assistant HR Director
Department: Human Resources
Opening Date: 09/28/2026
DEFINITIONMANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY FLSA STATUS: Exempt
FIRST REVIEW DATE: October 18, 2026
The City of Stockton Human Resources (HR) department is seeking to fill one (1) vacancy for the Assistant Director of Human Resources position.
Under direction, assists the Director of Human Resources in planning, directing and managing the City Human Resources Department; administers and directs one or more program areas; provides expert professional assistance to City management staff in human resources and related matters; acts as the Director of Human Resources in his/her absence; and performs related work as assigned.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS This single position class assists the Director of Human Resources in all activities throughout the City related to the broad function of human resources, including providing day-to-day direction for one or more of the following areas: Workforce Planning, Labor/Employee Relations, Risk Services and/or Employee Benefits. This class is distinguished from Director of Human Resources in that the latter has overall management responsibility for all human resources activities and functions.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES (Illustrative Only) The duties assigned typically emphasize one or more of the following areas, but are not limited to those listed below.
- Assists in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the department.
- Prepares and administers the department's budget; recommends allocation of division funds within proscribed guidelines; monitors expenditures to ensure adherence to the final budget.
- Plans, organizes, administers, reviews, and evaluates the activities of professional and technical support staff.
- Confers with City management regarding human resources related activities or problems.
- Coordinates with and advises departments on non-legal questions regarding interpretation of agreements.
- Represents the City or assists in the representation of the City; ensures City compliance with laws governing City employee relations activities.
- Assist in managing the labor relations program, assist in developing, planning and implementing negotiation goals, objectives and strategies; may serve as Chief Negotiator in collective bargaining.
- Provides ongoing contract administration with departments and reviews compliance with contract terms.
- Performs various human resources functions as required for complete cross-training and cross-functioning of the Human Resources team.
- Provides management over major divisions and directs activities for City staff.
- Recommends the appointment of personnel; selects staff and provides for their training and professional development; interprets City policies and procedures to employees.
- Directs and conducts analytical studies; develops and reviews reports of findings, alternatives, and recommendations.
- Represents the City in meetings with representatives of governmental agencies, professional and business organizations, employee organizations, and the public.
- Monitors developments and legislation related to human resource matters, evaluates their impact upon City operations and recommends and implements policy and procedural improvements.
- Participates in the establishment of strategic short-term and long-range division planning.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS Education/Experience:Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited four year college or university with major course work in business or public administration, industrial relations, human resource management or a closely related field; AND six (6) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in human resources, employment law or policy interpretation with a minimum of three (3) years of management or supervisory experience in a generalist capacity in multiple areas of the human resources function. Experience in a public agency setting is desirable.
The following specific advanced degrees may substitute on a year for year basis up to a maximum of three years for the required work experience: MS in Human Resources Management, MS in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, J.D., MPA in Public Administration or MBA in Business Administration.
Other Requirements:- Must possess and maintain a valid California driver's license at the time of appointment.
Knowledge of:
- Principles, practices, and techniques of public human resource administration;
- Administrative principles and methods, including goal setting, program and budget development and implementation, and employee supervision;
- Sources of data pertaining to public sector employer-employee relations;
- Administrative procedures and practices for processing grievances up to and including arbitration;
- Applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations;
- Budgetary principles and practices;
- The collective bargaining process in the public and/or private sectors, including federal and state labor legislation applicable to local government; standard principles of collective bargaining in a public agency setting, including representation rights, management rights, scope of bargaining, and unfair practices; including preparation of negotiating strategy, tactics, and impasse procedures.
Skill in:
- Assisting in planning, organizing, administering, reviewing, and evaluating a broad, centralized human resources program and directing staff in specified day-to-day human resources activities;
- Reading and understanding complex labor laws and court decisions;
- Researching and writing correspondence and reports in a grammatically correct form;
- Coordinating City employer-employee relations with departments, employee organizations, and management negotiating team;
- Working cooperatively and maintaining personal control when meeting with organizations, sometimes under severe emotional pressure and after long hours of negotiations;
- Speaking clearly and concisely before large groups;
- Selecting, training, motivating, and evaluating assigned staff;
- Developing, implementing, and interpreting goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls;
- Analyzing complex problems, evaluating alternatives, and making creative recommendations;
- Exercising sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines and legal constraints;
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work;
- Making recommendations on difficult and sensitive issues;
- Preparing clear, concise, and competent reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
Physical/Mental Abilities:
- Mobility - Constant sitting and standing for long periods of time while operating a keyboard; occasional walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing and pulling;
- Lifting - Occasional lifting of 10 pounds or less;
- Vision - Constant use of overall visual capabilities; frequent need for use of color perception, hand/eye coordination, reading and/or close up work;
- Dexterity - Frequent holding, grasping, typing, repetitive motion and writing;
- Hearing/Talking - Constant hearing and talking of normal speech in person and on the telephone; occasionally speaking in front of large groups of people;
- Special Requirements - May require weekend or evening work;
- Emotional/Psychological - Constant concentration, decision making and public contact; frequent ability to exercise sound judgment, especially under stressful situations; and working alone and traveling;
- Environmental Conditions - Constant work within an office environment; occasional exposure to noise and outdoor conditions; and
- Working Conditions - Primarily performed in an office environment which is typically moderately quiet, but may be loud at times.
This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirement of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.
UNREPRESENTED - MIDDLE MANAGEMENTNOTE: Employee Benefits are subject to change and are not guaranteed. For a detailed explanation benefits currently in effect,
01
The Supplemental Questionnaire is part of the recruitment process; accordingly, it should be completed carefully. It must be submitted with your official employment application. Do not indicate "see resume" as an answer to any of these questions.
- I certify that the information provided is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any falsification may cancel any terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.
02
Education: Do you possess Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited four year college or university with major course work in business or public administration, industrial relations, human resource management or a closely related field.
03
*ACCREDITATION: Accredited colleges or universities are those that have been examined by a third-party accrediting agency to ensure acceptable levels of quality. Accreditation ensures that a degree obtained outside of the United States is equivalent to a degree obtained within the United States.
The City of Stockton requires degrees from educational institutions that have been accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency in the United States that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and/or U.S. Department of Education as a "reliable authority as to the quality of post-secondary education."
If you have received your post-secondary education from an institution that may not be accredited in the United States, it is your responsibility to provide proof of U.S. accreditation by the closing date and time of this recruitment.
You may contact the City of Stockton Human Resources office for an illustrative list of organizations that evaluate foreign colleges.
- I understand this requirement and will provide the necessary documentation if required.
04
Resume, Cover Letter and Proof of Education: All applicants are required to submit a resume, cover letter, and proof of education (unofficial transcripts, grade report or copy of diploma) as part of the application process. Failure to submit the DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS OF APPLICATION. You may submit the required documentation in the following ways: 1. Scan and attach to online application (preferred); or2. Email to andrelyn.petate@stocktonca.gov within five (5) days of application (use Assistant Director of Human Resources in the subject line of the email).
- I understand this requirement and will provide my resume and proof of education within five (5) days of application by one of the methods above.
05
Experience Requirement: The position requires six (6) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in human resources, employment law or policy interpretation with a minimum of three (3) years of management or supervisory experience in a generalist capacity in multiple areas of the human resources function. Experience in a public agency setting is desirable. The following specific advanced degrees may substitute on a year for year basis up to a maximum of three years for the required work experience: MS in Human Resources Management, MS in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, J.D., MPA in Public Administration or MBA in Business Administration.Please describe you qualifying experience and list your employer, title, and a short description of duties performed. If none, please enter "N/A". (Note: This experience is required; therefore, a "N/A" response will disqualify your application.)
06
The following questions relate to your specific experience that qualifies you for this position. Please indicate where you have received your experience. (You may select more than one.)
- City
- County
- Federal
- Private Sector
- School District
- State
- Other
07
Indicate the areas in which you possess experience:
- Employee/Labor Relations
- Progressive Discipline
- Handling Grievances and Investigations
- Negotiations
- Recruitment & Testing
- Classification & Compensation
- Training
- Risk Management and Worker's Compensation
- Other
- N/A, I do not possess experience in any of these areas.
08
If you listed "other" above, please provide additional information. Otherwise, indicate N/A if not selected.
09
Please describe your experience in labor contract negotiations, including the role performed during bargaining. Please detail your level of authority, years in position, size of organization, number of bargaining units, and duties performed. Indicate N/A if you do not possess experience in this area.
10
Please describe your experience with Recruitment. Please detail your level of authority, years in position, size of organization, number of employees supervised (if any) and duties performed. Indicate N/A if you do not possess experience in this area.
11
Please describe your experience with Benefits. Please detail your level of authority, years in position, size of organization, number of employees supervised (if any) and duties performed. Indicate N/A if you do not possess experience in this area.
12
Please describe your experience with Risk Management. Please det
