Salary: $189,627.00 - $236,819.00 Annually
Location : 110 E. La Habra Blvd., La Habra, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 00495
Department: Human Resources
Opening Date: 08/11/2026
Closing Date: 8/23/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

THE POSITION

The City of La Habra is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and experienced professional to serve as the Director of Human Resources and Risk Management. This vital executive management position plans, organizes, directs, and oversees the comprehensive human resources and risk management programs for the City.

The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver who can cultivate positive employee relations, guide complex labor negotiations, ensure regulatory compliance, and proactively manage liability and workers' compensation programs to protect the City's assets and workforce.

Examples of Duties

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Leadership: Partner with City executive management to align workforce planning, talent acquisition, and organizational development with the strategic goals of the City.
• Human Resources Administration: Oversee recruitment and selection, classification and compensation structures, merit system administration, performance management, and employee training.
• Labor & Employee Relations: Lead or participate in labor negotiations with recognized employee associations; administer Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs); handle grievances, disciplinary matters, and employee relations counseling.
• Strengthen and Modernize Human Resources: Lead a comprehensive assessment of the City's HR programs, policies, and practices to optimize support for departments and employees. Build an agile, employee-centered HR function that drives organizational performance by championing team member engagement, wellbeing, and career growth at every level.
• Risk Management & Safety: Direct the City's liability, property, and casualty insurance programs; manage workers' compensation claims; and lead safety and loss-prevention programs to minimize citywide exposure and risk.
• Lead Technology and Maximize HRIS: Provide leadership and strategic direction for human resources technology and business systems (NeoGOV), stabilize and fully leverage the City's HRIS platform (Tyler Munis), and champion well-maintained, modern IT solutions.
• Compliance & Policy Guidance: Ensure departmental compliance with local, state, and federal employment laws (e.g., EEOC, FMLA, ADA, FLSA, Cal/OSHA). Provide expert policy interpretations to City departments.

IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is a confident and competent public sector human resources and risk management professional with proven experience in employee and labor relations, operational process improvement, and organizational development.
Key professional attributes and skills of the successful applicant:

• Executive-level experience leading comprehensive human resources operations, preferably in a public sector environment.
• Strong knowledge of labor relations, collective bargaining, employment law, classification and compensation, benefits administration, and organizational development.
• Political acumen and the ability to build effective relationships with elected officials, executive leadership, employees, and community stakeholders.
• A collaborative, approachable leadership style that promotes accountability, transparency, and employee development.
• Demonstrate excellent judgment and discretion when handling sensitive and confidential matters while applying creative, strategic thinking to drive innovative solutions.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• The ability to balance strategic vision with operational execution while leading through change and competing priorities.
• A commitment to innovation, exceptional customer service, and fostering a positive organizational culture.

Typical Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the qualifications would be:

• Education: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public administration, human resources management, organizational leadership, or a closely related field. (A Master's degree or relevant professional certifications such as IPMA-HR, SHRM, or ARM are highly desirable).
• Experience: Eight (8) years of increasingly responsible professional human resources experience, including at least four (4) years in a management or supervisory capacity within a public agency setting, encompassing both comprehensive Human Resources operations and risk management functions.
• Experience in public sector or local government personnel management is highly desirable.

License/Certificate Requirements:
Due to the performance of some field duties, which may require the operation of a personal or City vehicle, a valid California Driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required.
Supplemental Information

RECRUITMENT PROCESS AND IMPORTANT DATES:

Application Submission Deadline: Application filing period will close at 11:59 PM on Sunday, August 23, 2026
Qualifications Appraisal Interview and Executive Team Interview: Week of September 14, 2026
Selection Interview: Week of October 5, 2026 (Tentative)

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
To be considered for this exceptional career opportunity, applicants must submit a completed City of La Habra online employment application.

• How to Apply: Visit the City's official website at under the Current Employment Opportunities section.
• Required Materials: A complete online application, cover letter, professional resume, and three professional references. (Note: Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed online application.) Incomplete, late, emailed, faxed and hard copy applications are not accepted. All certificates, resumes, cover letters and other documents requested by the City for the position, must be uploaded with your online application.

All applications will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process will include an oral interview. The final candidate must successfully complete a medical exam, employment history verification, DMV check and will also be fingerprinted.

If any accommodation is needed during the interview, please notify the Human Resources Department at least five days in advance of your scheduled appointment so that we may be able to provide reasonable accommodation.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all La Habra city employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is constantly required to sit, and occasionally to stand and walk; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist. The employee must be able to verbally communicate to exchange information. The employee must be able to operate standard office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination, including the use of a computer keyboard; and reach with hands and arms above the below shoulder level. The employee occasionally lifts and carries records and documents typically weighing less than 20 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this class include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use oral and written communication skills, read, and interpret data. Thoroughly analyze and solve problems; exercise sound judgment in the absence of specific guidelines; use math and mathematical reasoning; establish priorities and work on multiple assignments and project concurrently; meet intense and changing deadlines given interruptions; and interact appropriately with staff, management, city officials, contractors, public and private representatives, and others in the course of work.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee frequently works in office conditions where the noise levels are usually moderate, at or below 85 decibels. The employee may attend City council meetings, city events, and other functions, including functions being held during evening and weekend hours.
This bulletin is not a contract, neither expressed nor implied. Any provision herein may be modified or revoked.
Retirement:
Classic members of California Public Employees' retirement System (CalPERS) will be under the 2% @ 60 defined benefit plan. As part of this benefit members pay eight percent (8%) towards contribution. Additional benefits include: Three Year Final Compensation, Service Credit for Unused Sick Leave and the 1959 Survivor Benefit Level IV. EPMC: 7% employee contribution is reported as special compensation to PERS for classic members only.

PEPRA Members: California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) under the 2% @ 62 defined benefit plan. As part of this benefit members pay the statutorily mandated 50% of the normal cost plus an additional 1%. Additional benefits include: Three Year Final Compensation, Service Credit for Unused Sick Leave and the 1959 Survivor Benefit Level IV.

Deferred Compensation: The City contracts with MissionSquare Retirement for deferred compensation program. The City provides a $100 matching contribution per pay period. Enrollment is voluntary.

Executive Management Benefits: The City offers a Cafeteria Plan and pays 90% for insurance premiums for employee and dependent(s).
• Health Insurance-CalPERS Health Plans
• Dental - Delta Dental
• Vision -VSP
• Life Insurance, Special Life Insurance and LTD- Standard Insurance
Sick Leave: Sick leave accrual rate of 96 hours per year.

Sick Leave Credit: Newly hired Executive Management employees appointed from outside the City are credited with 480 hours of sick leave upon hire.

Vacation Accrual: Vacation leave from 120 hours per year to 200 hours per year based on years of service with the City.Vacation buy-back is available of up to 80 hours per fiscal year.

Administrative Leave: 50 hours of administrative leave per fiscal year on a use or lose basis.

Holidays: Eleven (11) paid holidays per year.

Flexible Spending Account: A flexible spending account program is available to employees on a pre-tax basis to pay for eligible health and dependent care costs.

Retirement Health Savings Plan: Executive Management employees contribute one hundred dollars ($100) per month to a Retirement Health Savings Plan. The City provides a $50 matching contribution per pay period.
Other Benefits: Access to City Hall Gym.
01

Do you possess a Bachelor's degree in public administration, human resources management, or a related field?

• Yes
• No

02

Please list the certifications you possess, if any, in the field of human resources. Attaching proof of your certifications is not required at this time but is helpful.
03

How many years of increasingly responsible public sector (e.g. City, County, Special District, etc.) experience do you possess in human resources, labor relations, and risk management?

• Less than two years
• Two to four years
• Four to six years
• Six to eight years
• Eight to ten years
• Ten years or more

04

Please indicate which areas of public sector human resources you possess extensive experience. Please check all that apply.

• Employee and labor relations
• Benefits administration
• Classification and compensation
• Recruitment and selection
• HRIS
• Organizational development and training
• Risk management

05

How many years of supervisory experience do you possess?

• I do not possess any supervisory experience
• Less than one year
• One year, but less than two years
• Two years, but less than three years
• Three years, but less than four years
• Four years, but less than five years
• Five years or more

06

Please describe your professional experience preparing administrative reports, staff reports, and making formal presentations to a City Council, Board of Directors, or similar governing body.Include the types of topics or poli