Human Resources Manager

Salary : $164,268.00 - $202,800.00 Annually
Location : City of Santa Monica, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 260504-02
Department: Human Resources
Division: Labor and Employee Relations
Opening Date: 10/06/2026
Closing Date: 10/23/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Job Summary
DEFINITION
Plans, manages, and directs a division responsible for the administration of any combination of the following human resources functions: personnel recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, labor relations, employee relations, training and development, personnel administration, human resources information systems and analytics, employee benefits, and worker's compensation.

SUPERVISION
Works under the administrative direction of the Assistant Director of Human Resources who outlines work priorities, occasionally reviews work in progress and periodically reviews completed work. Exercises general supervision over assigned professional, paraprofessional, technical, and clerical support staff.

Representative Duties
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES (GENERAL)
Plans, implements, and manages the staff and operations of a Human Resources division that includes oversight of any combination of the following HR functions: recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, labor relations, employee relations, training and development, personnel administration, human resources information systems and analytics, employee benefits, worker's compensation and other associated programs.
Develops and implements goals and objectives for the division, and administers associated programs, policies, rules, regulations, and procedures across all City departments, consistent with State and federal requirements and sound professional principles and practices; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery; and identifies and implements associated improvements.
Supervises and mentors staff, including assigning, planning, coordinating, and reviewing work; evaluating work performance and completing performance evaluations; maintaining work standards; selecting and hiring personnel; recommending and implementing employee discipline; and providing training and assistance on tools and processes as needed.
Prepares and presents staff reports to the Personnel Board, City Council, and other audiences.

Develops, maintains, and administers rules, policies, procedures, and practices pertaining to human resources functions and activities; ensures that personnel policies and procedures are in compliance with State and federal laws.
Obtains, monitors, and supervises professional services and consultant work to ensure that project objectives, budgets and schedules are consistent and conform to City plans and policies.

Gathers a variety of statistical data and performs research and analysis of complex administrative, technical, or operational issues. Prepares feasibility studies and makes recommendations on the impact to the Department's operation. Interprets program and workforce analytics data, and prepares and presents associated recommendations.
Prepares and administers an HR division budget; monitors and approves expenditures.
May act on behalf of the Director of Human Resources or Assistant Director of Human Resources as assigned.

Performs other duties as assigned

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES (FUNCTION SPECIFIC)

Manages the recruitment and selection of City staff in accordance with local, State, and federal requirements, including conducting and/or coordinating recruitment and examination activities for highly complex or executive-level classifications.

Assists the Chief Negotiator in the negotiation of wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment with recognized bargaining units.

Develops and recommends strategy for the negotiations of Memoranda of Understandings (MOU) with recognized bargaining units; formulates and implements effective b, storargaining strategies and techniques; develops and finalizes MOU language; and ensures that the provisions of the negotiated MOU are implemented by operating departments.

Manages the City's classification and compensation plan, including supervising and/or conducting studies and implementing recommendations; supervises data collection and analysis; assists in the development and presentation of salary recommendations which are consistent with City compensation policies.

Directs a variety of functions related to the administration and processing of employee assignments, including activities associated with manual and automated human resources record-keeping; performing workforce analytics, administering the maintenance of all paper-based and electronic personnel records; and planning, designing, implementing, and continuously assessing the personnel record management, storage, and retrieval systems.

Oversees disciplinary matters within the City; provides training and advises management and supervisory personnel regarding the disciplinary process, performance management, and associated collective bargaining agreement content; and recommends solutions to personnel related issues.

Oversees the development and administration of staff development and training programs, including administering organizational needs assessments and evaluating program effectiveness.

Plans, implements, and monitors information and reporting systems to ensure timely and effective completion of programs and projects and compliance with local, State, and federal statues and guidelines, contracts, and other plans.

Oversees the investigation of discrimination and harassment complaints, and may conduct such investigations based on Human Resources Department staffing and/or the nature and/or complexity of the complaint. Reviews and evaluates the results of discrimination and harassment investigations conducted by Human Resources staff or an outside investigator, and develops and makes recommendations for resolution of complaints and allegations. Serves as liaison with the City Attorney's Office regarding the investigations and discipline.

Oversees the preparation and administration of the department's annual budget; performs and prepares a variety of complex financial, budgetary, and fiscal analyses and reports; coordinates the preparation of division budgets and prepares final department budget for department head approval; serves as liaison with the Finance Department regarding the Department's budget.

Plans, coordinates, and directs the activities of the City's employee benefits programs, including coordinating with carriers and brokers, reviewing and recommending policy changes, and negotiating rates.

Oversees the City's workers' compensation program, including claims management, return-to-work and modified duty programs, compliance, and third-party administrator and vendor relationships; monitors claims activity, expenditures, trends, reserves, and program performance; and oversees claims strategy for complex claims.

Oversees the administration of employee leave programs and the interactive process for reasonable accommodations, ensuring compliance with applicable State and federal laws, regulations, policies, and collective bargaining agreements; provides guidance to management and departments regarding leave, accommodation, and return-to-work matters.
Requirements
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:
Principles, practices, trends, and methods of human resources administration, including those related to personnel selection, labor and employee relations, benefits administration, personnel administration, HRIS administration, worker's compensation and staff development

Principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluation

Laws, rules, regulations, court decisions, and legal interpretations concerning human resources, personnel administration, and worker's compensation

Principles of report writing

Principles of effective customer service

Principles and techniques of collective bargaining

Investigative techniques and report writing

Principles of financial management, including budget administration and preparation

Office productivity software such as word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs

Integrated human resources information record-keeping systems

Principles and methods for conducting research, quantitative analysis, and qualitative analysis

Principles and practices pertaining to equity, inclusion, and diversity programs and initiatives
Ability to:
Negotiate union contracts in a public sector environment

Implement projects and programs

Research, analyze, solve, and prepare recommendations related to a variety of policies, practices, and other issues

Keep abreast of current developments within human resources

Analyze complex administrative problems, evaluate alternatives, and prepare and adopt effective courses of action
Interpret and apply applicable workers' compensation laws, regulations, policies, and procedures

Represent the department in meetings, including making presentations in public forums

Act as a resource for City departments on regarding human resources and personnel matters

Facilitate dispute resolution

Exercise independent judgment and initiative

Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with a wide variety of individuals

Plan, organize, and supervise the work of others

Express difficult situations and concepts effectively in oral and written presentations

Interpret and apply applicable rules, laws, and procedures relevant to human resources operations

Gather, evaluate, and summarize data used to inform decisions

Ensure compliance with City, county, State, and federal regulations and guidelines

Oversee and participate in the preparation and maintenance of a variety of manual and automated personnel records and files

Investigate complaints and make appropriate recommendations

Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of City staff and representatives of public agencies and private organizations

Independently plan and organize work to meet schedules and timelines

Work with persons from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds as well as a variety of work styles, personalities and approaches.

Acknowledge, value and support diversity of thought, opinion and approach with customers and colleagues regardless of background, culture and organizational level

Execute work that adheres to the City's stated principles of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion including, but not limited to, your "duty to act" to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all persons and historically underrepresented groups
Skill in:
Fostering an inclusive and supportive environment in which everyone in the City has an opportunity to thrive

Incorporating an equity perspective to day-to-day work in all responsibilities, decisions and actions of providing public service
REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree.
Five years of recent, paid, professional-level public-sector, human resources experience in any of the following areas: employee relations, personnel administration, labor relations, recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, benefits administration, or training and development. Two of the required years of experience must have included supervising professional staff.
Licenses and Certificates:
Possession of a valid Class C driver license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
Revised 10/06/26; 01/22/26, 3/3/22; 01/26/17

Established: 12/08/16

Supplemental Information
HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must file a clear, concise, completed online City Application along with any required supplemental application materials with the Human Resources Department by the filing deadline. If you do not submit your on-line application by the filing deadline, you will not be considered for this position. Please note, applications may be rejected if incomplete. Resumes, CVs and cover letters are not reviewed as part of the application screening process.

NOTE: You must attach a copy of your college level transcripts or diploma with your on-line application to qualify for the position. Applicants who indicate receipt of college level coursework or degree from a foreign institution must provide United States credential equivalency verification along with a copy of your college diploma/transcripts. All materials must be received in the Human Resources Department no later than the position filing deadline. Failure to do so will result in your application being disqualified. You must attach a scanned copy of your college diploma or transcripts to your on-line application.

SELECTION PROCESS: All applicants must submit clear, concise and complete information regarding their work history and qualifications for the position. All applicants will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience, training and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.
Testing will consist of the following:

• Evaluation of Training and Experience: Pass/Fail
• Oral Interview: 100%

NOTE: The review of candidate applications will take place in the format of Training and Experience (T&E).
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process will be subject to a thorough background investigation.
WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is primarily performed indoors in an office environment. Office work requires sitting for prolonged periods of time and using a computer keyboard and screen. May be required to work evenings and/or weekends.