Human Resources Director

Salary : $166,539.00 - $195,267.30 Annually
Location : Compton, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-27:24
Department: Human Resources
Opening Date: 10/20/2026
Closing Date: 10/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

GENERAL PURPOSE
Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, directs and administers the activities and operations of the Human Resources Department and manages the City's human resource management operations relating to recruitment, fringe benefits, labor relations, payroll, classification and compensation, training and development, and regulatory compliance; coordinates assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies, and provides highly responsible and complex administrative assistance to the City Manager; and performs other related duties.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED
An incumbent of this class is a department head under the administrative direction of the City Manager, with responsibility for policy development, program planning, fiscal management, administration, and operational direction of the Human Resources Department. The incumbent is responsible for accomplishing department objectives and goals within guidelines established by the City Manager and City Council, and exercises supervision over subordinate professional, technical and support personnel.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following essential functions are those that are critical, integral, necessary, crucial, primary and fundamental to the job. Incumbents who possess the requisite skill, experience, education, and other job-related requirements of a position are expected to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Assumes full management responsibility for all Human Resources Department personnel and activities including recruitment, fringe benefits, labor relations, payroll, classification and compensation, and training and development, and regulatory compliance; serves as Clerk to the Personnel Board and directs the preparation and maintenance of official minutes and other records relating to meetings and hearings.
• Manages the development and implementation of the Human Resources Department goals, objectives, policies and priorities for each assigned service area; established within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; allocate resources accordingly.
• Continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and directs the implementation of changes.
• Manages and coordinates the City's employee relations efforts in relation to general employment practices, labor/management relations, EEO, diversity, complaint/grievance procedures, dispute resolution, disciplinary procedures, and award/recognition programs. Participates in labor negotiations, interprets Memoranda of Understanding and represents the City in the meet and confer process.
• Develops, recommends, updates, and coordinates the implementation of new and revised human resources policies, procedures, programs, and systems.
• Ensures compliance with the City's policies and applicable Federal/State laws, rules, and regulations governing human resources operations.
• Develops and oversees the City's recruitment and selection program for all positions.
• Supervises the collection and processing of human resources actions and information including record keeping, performance appraisal reporting, procedures and forms.
• Administers the City's classification plan including reclassifying existing positions and recommending classifications for new positions.
• Oversees and administers the City's compensation plan including establishing and reassigning position classes to pay grades.
• Directs and coordinates the administration of the City's employee benefits programs including health, dental, vacation, and other benefits or services including employee identification, education reimbursement, employee assistance program and other services.
• Provides staff assistance to the City Manager and City Council; prepares and presents monthly financial status, other staff reports and necessary correspondence; prepares and presents oral and written reports to the City Council, City Manager and other groups.
• Provides guidance and direction to senior management and other departments in a variety of human resource management, disciplinary or labor relations matters.
• Plans, develops and presents the departmental budget, monitors expenditures; develops and implements long term plans, goals and objectives focused on supporting the City's mission and City Council's objectives.
• Coordinates department activities with those other departments, outside agencies and organizations; provides technical assistance as necessary.
• Provides leadership and works with supervisors to develop and retain highly competent staff through selection, compensation, training and management practices that support the City's mission and values.
• Prepares, reviews and approves the formal performance evaluation of department staff, and coaches staff for improvement and development; initiates disciplinary action up to and including dismissal as required to correct behavior.
• Attends various civic events as City representative; participates on a variety of boards and commissions; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of financial management.
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Human Resource Management, Business Administration or a related field; AND seven (7) years of progressively responsible human resource management experience in a large public sector organization including labor relations, AND three (3) years supervisory experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Master's degree in a related field is preferred.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver's License.
• Certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources is desirable.

Required Knowledge of:

• Theory, principles and practices of contemporary human resource management including labor-management relations.
• City Code, City Ordinances, Standard Operating Manual, personnel policies and procedures, and Memoranda of Understanding.
• Principles and practices of human resources management.
• Federal and State regulations governing human resources activities.
• Effective recruitment and selection strategies and practices.
• Staff training and development processes.
• Employee benefits programs and compensation strategies.
• Methods, procedures, and standards for maintaining human resources records.
• Organizational and management practices applicable to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs.
• Principles and practices of organization, administration and personnel management.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.

Required Skill in:

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, City departments, elected officials, outside agencies, community groups, local businesses, and the general public.
• Overseeing and coordinating employee/labor relations activities.
• Overseeing and coordinating human resources operations within a large municipality.
• Ensuring compliance with regulations governing human resources operations.
• Developing and implementing human resources strategic plans, objectives, policies, and procedures.
• Administering recruiting programs and ensuring the effective staffing of City positions.
• Managing classification/compensation plans and administering employee benefits programs.
• Supervising, leading, and delegating tasks and authority.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers and the public.
• Effective verbal and written communication.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is primarily performed indoors in a standard office environment.
• Work requires frequent light lifting, sorting, filing and typing.
• Moderate finger dexterity and near vision is required.
• May be exposed to minor amounts of dust and occasional sounds of office equipment running.

Internal applicants must use their personal email to apply, as City of Compton work emails will not be accepted for job applications. While we cannot prevent applicants from using their work email, the City is not responsible for missed communications due to system outages, firewall restrictions, employee leave, or any other technical or accessibility issues affecting City email accounts.

All applicants must meet the minimum qualifications for the position and submit all required documents -such as licenses, certifications, and proof of education- outlined in the job posting. Incomplete applications, including those missing any required documentation, will not be considered.

EXAMINATION
The purpose of this examination is to establish an eligible list from which vacant position(s) may be filled.
Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination and interview process.

The City of Compton reserves the right to utilize alternative testing methods, if deemed necessary. Failure in one phase of the examination shall be grounds for declaring the applicant as failing in the entire examination, and as disqualified for subsequent parts of an examination.

Phase one (1) is an oral examination (weighted 100%) that will be administered by an appraisal panel to evaluate professional qualifications, background and suitability. The oral examination may include graded simulation exercises, writing exercises, and oral presentations. A passing score for the oral exam is 70%. Each candidate will be notified via mail or e-mail.

GENERAL INFORMATION TO EXAMINATION APPLICANTS
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must give advanced notice to the Human Resources Department prior to the final filing date.

ELIGIBLE LISTS
Recruitment may be conducted on a (a) promotional basis, (b) open-competitive basis, or (c) promotional and open-competitive basis simultaneously. All candidates who attain an overall score of at least 70.00 (open-competitive) and at least 75.00 (promotional) will be placed in rank order on the relevant eligible list(s).

PLEASE NOTE:
All permanent City employees that attain an overall score of at least 75.00 will be placed on both the promotional eligible list and the open-competitive eligible list. All City employees that attain a score of 70.00 on EACH PHASE of the examination but an overall score of less than 75.00 will be placed on the open-competitive eligible list only.

Each eligible list shall remain in effect one (1) year from the date of its establishment unless it is extended, abolished or exhausted. Whenever possible, three (3) names are certified to fill any one (1) vacant position. No candidate may be certified more than three (3) times for any one classified position. When certifying eligible lists to appointing powers, the promotional eligible list takes precedence over the open-competitive eligible list. A department manager's recommendation for employment is subject to the City Manager's approval.

EXAMINATION APPEAL PROCEDURE
A candidate may, within five (5) days after taking the written examination, file in writing with the City Manager an appeal against any part of the test, citing the item or items against which the appeal is directed, and the reason(s) for such appeal. The Personnel Board will consider appeals from the decisions and ratings of qualifications appraisals (interview) boards if such appeals meet the conditions described in the Personnel Rules and Regulations (Section 6.8).

EXAMINATION RECORDS
All examination papers, including the employment application, resume, and other attachments submitted by candidates are the property of the Personnel Board and are confidential records which may be open to inspection only for purposes and under conditions established by the Personnel Board.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE
In all entrance examinations (open-competitive only) for positions in the Classified Service, veterans who served in the armed forces of the United States during time(s) of war, and who attain an overall passing score in the examination are allowed additional preferential credit in accordance with the Personnel Rules and Regulations. In order to claim veterans' credit, the applicant must submit proof of service and honorable discharge (showing specific dates of service) on a U.S. Military form (DD-214) at the time of application or not later than the final filing date for the examination.

FRINGE BENEFITS
The City's comprehensive fringe benefits program includes: retirement (Public Employees' Retirement System), medical, dental, life and vision insurances, deferred compensation, sick and vacation leaves, after-hours education reimbursement, ride share program, uniform allowance and other provisions.