Salary : $152,604.00 - $196,704.00 Annually
Location : City of Santa Cruz, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 27-009
Department: Human Resources
Opening Date: 07/30/2026
Closing Date: 8/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

The Position
The current vacancy is for Assistant Human Resources Director in the Human Resources Department. The Assistant Director will join the Human Resources Department during an exciting period of growth and transformation. Working closely with the Director, this newly created position expands the department's executive leadership capacity to implement strategic initiatives, strengthen workforce governance, and build policies, programs, and procedures. The Assistant Director will help translate strategic priorities into sustainable systems and operational standards, ensuring the department is well positioned to meet the evolving needs of the City and its workforce.

The Assistant Director will manage the day-to-day activities of assigned human resources areas, develop short- and long-term goals, establish priorities, create and implement policies and programs, and oversee budgets and contracts. While the selected individual will supervise employees and lead functional areas, specific responsibilities will be determined based on their areas of expertise as well as departmental needs. Examples of priority areas and potential direct oversight responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Employee & Labor Relations
• Talent Acquisition and Workforce Strategy
• Classification and Compensation

To learn more about the Assistant Human Resources Director position, and to apply, please visit The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Regular and Temporary Assistant Human Resources Director vacancies that may occur during the life of the list. The eligible list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.
Recruitment # 27-009

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• On Sunday, 08/30/26,recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by Teri Black & Co by 11:59 pm Sunday, 08/30/26; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:
  
  1. Resume, Cover Letter, and References are REQUIRED. Please submit your resume, cover letter, and list of six (6) references via Teri Black & Co website at:
  2. For questions regarding the required application materials, please contact Jennifer Curtis at (661) 510-0076 or
• Application materials will be competitively screened based on the minimum and desired qualifications for this position. Applicants with the most relevant qualifications will be granted a preliminary interview by the Recruiter.
• Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to interview on-site in October. The interview may include a written and/or performance exercise.

Basic Function
Under general direction, assists in planning, organizing, managing, and providing administrative direction and oversight for major functions and activities of the Human Resources Department, including labor relations, recruitment and selection, classification and salary administration, workers compensation, benefits, retirement plans and leave administration, training and employee development, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and general human resources administration. This position coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; fosters cooperative working relationships among departments, divisions, and with regulatory agencies. This position participates in the development of the department budget, department and city policies and strategies; manages the effective use of city resources; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance to the Human Resources Department Director in areas of expertise; assumes department head responsibilities in the absence of the director; and performs related duties as assigned.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This is a mid-management classification responsible for overseeing, directing, and participating in all activities of the Human Resources Department including short- and long-term planning as well as development and administration of departmental policies, procedures, and services. Incumbents are responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include assisting in the development and implementation of programs, budget administration, short- and long-term planning, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Serve as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. This class is distinguished from the Human Resources Department Director in that the latter has overall management responsibility for all department services programs, functions, and activities, and for developing, implementing, and interpreting public policy.
Typical Duties

(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below.)

• Plans, manages, and oversees some of the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Human Resources Department including recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, labor relations, training and employee development, workers compensation, leaves management, and benefits administration.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; develops and/or coordinates staff training/apprenticeship programs; works with employees on performance issues; responds to staff questions and concerns; makes discipline recommendations to the Director.
• Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the assigned division; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service, and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of budgets; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, and supplies; identifies projects; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements budgetary adjustments.
• Continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and reviews with the Director; directs the implementation of improvements.
• Assists in the development and maintenance of equitable and competitive classification and compensation programs, within the constraints of budgetary parameters.
• Ensures the City maintains compliance with laws related to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Fair Employment and Housing.
• Assists in the oversight of the City's workers' compensation, leaves management, and employee benefits programs.
• Drafts, recommends, and implements administrative policies and procedures related to Human Resources.
• Administers, interprets, and applies provisions of personnel policies and regulations, memoranda of understanding, civil service rules and regulations, and other related policy documents.
• Advises and assists managers on personnel and labor relations matters, including employment, disciplinary actions, grievances, and performance problems and evaluations; may serve as backup during labor contract negotiations with employee organizations.
• Attends meetings and represents the department to other City departments, elected officials, state, federal, and regional agencies, regulatory agencies, businesses, and in meetings with the public; makes presentations to City Council and a wide variety of committees, boards, and commissions.
• Oversees various organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.

• Prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the Director.
• Stays abreast of new trends, regulations, innovations, and operational practices related to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Responds to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations; communicates with individuals, groups, and other public and private representatives; explains and interprets programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other related duties that may be expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Primarily working inside, this position requires office work and may require some field work. Position requires sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine motor coordination when using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision when reading and using a computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The need to lift, push and pull files, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.
Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of education and experience that provides the below knowledge, skills, and abilities combined with any required licenses is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications is to possess the equivalent of the following:

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public or business administration, human resource management, employee relations, industrial psychology, or related field; and
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional government experience in the administration of a full-service human resources program, including three (3) years of administrative and supervisory experience.

Knowledge:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Principles and practices of public administration.
• Principles and practices of program or project development, administration, evaluation, and management; including goal setting, policy and procedure development, quality control, and work standards.
• Principles and practices of strategic planning.
• Principles and practices of contract management and administration.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of public human resources administration, including recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, employee benefits, leaves management, workers' compensation, labor relations, and employee training and development.
• Organizational and management practices; the analysis and evaluation of projects, programs, policies, procedures, and operational needs; principles and practices of government administration.
• Principles and practices of public sector collective bargaining; employee relations and interpersonal communication.
• Conflict resolution and negotiation techniques.
• Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis, report preparation, and presentations; developing technical and administrative reports, and business correspondence.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping, document processing, and filing systems.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Current equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Abilities:

• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Plans, manages, coordinates, conducts, and administers strategic planning for assigned projects, operations, and assigned area of responsibility.
• Assist in preparing and administering complex, departmental budgets; allocate limited resources.
• Understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Effectively administer projects, contractual agreements, and ensure compliance with obligations.
• Plan, organize, and direct municipal human resources programs and activities.
• Assist in conducting effective negotiations and effectively representing the City and negotiate with represented groups.
• Deal constructively with conflict and facilitate resolution of disputes.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner for a variety of audiences.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedure