Salary : $117,821.76 - $148,120.80 Annually
Location : Visalia, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 02104
Department: Administrative Services
Division: Human Resources
Opening Date: 07/30/2025
Closing Date: 8/20/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Description

The City of Visalia is recruiting for Human Resouces Manager. The Human Resouces Manager is part of the Administrative Services Department and oversees the City's Human Resouces Division. Please click here to review the recruitment announcement.
Examples of Duties
POSITION
The Human Resources Manager will lead and oversee the City's Human Resources Division, managing a broad range of personnel services and programs including recruitment and selection, employee and labor relations, classification and compensation, payroll, and compliance with local, state, and federal employment laws. As a key member of the City's management team, the incumbent will be responsible for modernizing internal HR systems, implementing long-term workforce strategies, and fostering a culture of performance, accountability, and inclusion.

As a working manager, the Human Resources Manager will serve as the primary resource on employment matters across the organization by providing guidance on employee discipline, grievances, equal employment opportunity, and investigations of workplace misconduct. The role will be instrumental in reviewing and developing personnel policies, conducting job evaluations, and ensuring equitable classification and compensation practices through regular market analysis and salary surveys.

This position will oversee the City's payroll and benefits operations, ensuring timely and accurate reporting to entities such as the IRS, CalPERS, and other regulatory agencies. The manager will also administer the City's retirement programs and deferred compensation plans, while ensuring strict compliance with all applicable laws and policies.

In partnership with department heads and the City Manager, the Human Resources Manager will provide critical support on employee performance evaluations, staff development, and corrective counseling. The position also manages onboarding and offboarding processes, oversees personnel records and systems, and develops training programs that align with City goals and organizational needs.

The successful candidate will bring a strong background in public sector human resources, a commitment to continuous improvement, and the ability to lead cross-departmental initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Human Resources Manager will play a pivotal role in ensuring a positive and productive work environment, enhancing employee engagement, and building a workforce that reflects the community it serves.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a collaborative and supportive team environment, where innovation is encouraged and valued. The Human Resources Manager will also have the chance to work on special projects that advance the City's strategic priorities and improve internal processes, making a lasting impact on the organization and the community it serves.

Qualifications / Requirements
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will be a knowledgeable and strategic human resources professional who is innovative, solutions-focused, and committed to fostering a high-performing and inclusive workforce. This individual will bring a strong foundation in personnel administration, including recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, and employee relations. A deep understanding of state and federal employment laws affecting municipal operations is essential, as is the ability to interpret and apply complex regulations with sound independent judgment.

The successful Human Resources Manager will demonstrate exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility across all levels of the organization. They will be analytical and detail-oriented, capable of interpreting data, conducting statistical analysis, and preparing clear and effective reports to inform decision-making. A solid grasp of organizational planning, budget analysis, and performance evaluation is vital for success in this role.

This position requires the ability to lead change, supervise and mentor staff, and maintain confidentiality in sensitive personnel matters. The ideal candidate will be highly adaptable, capable of working in a fast-paced and evolving environment, and able to develop and implement forward-thinking solutions to complex human resource challenges. Proficiency with HRIS systems and spreadsheet software, along with a collaborative approach to problem solving, will allow the selected candidate to contribute meaningfully to the City's goals and strategic initiatives.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge, skill and ability is qualifying. A typical way to obtain knowledge, skill and ability would be:
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible management experience in human resource management, preferably in municipal government.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a degree in human resources, organizational development, public or business administration or a closely related field.

for a detailed job description.
Additional Information

SELECTION PROCESS
Application and supplemental materials will be evaluated and applicants who appear to be most qualified will be invited to participate in a job related interview and/or examination process. Successful candidates may be required to pass a background, physical examination, and/or drug screen.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITSThe City of Visalia offers a competitive total compensation package that includes:
$9,818 - $12.343 Monthly
CalPERS retirement program
Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
Longevity Pay
Onsite City Health and Wellness Clinic (no out of pocket expenses)
Paid Holidays, Vacation, Sick Leave, Administrative Leave, and much more...

Review the Benefits tab for more information.

COMMUNITY OVERVIEWIf work-life balance is important to you, consider living in a thriving community that offers the most affordable housing in California with a typical commute time of less than 20 minutes. With a population of over 146,000, Visalia offers small town charm with metropolitan amenities. Visalia has a world class health care system, our own Sequoia Symphony Orchestra, a flourishing arts community, a minor league baseball team, a downtown convention center, and numerous fine dining establishments.

As the Tulare County seat, Visalia is the principal retail center in the region, and home to several large industrial employers. Visalia has a vibrant downtown district, safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, institutions for higher learning, and low cost of living. The City has many community parks, organized team sports, a municipal golf course and private country club, a multi-sport family-oriented regional sports park, and numerous outdoor and recreational activities.

Located in the heart of California's San Joaquin Valley, Visalia offers easy access to the nearby mountains, national parks, lakes and rivers which provide year-round opportunities for sports and recreation within an hour or less. Visalia was ranked as the top Central Valley community and one of seven California cities in the top 25 of Gallup Sharecare's latest State of American Well Being Index. Our strong sense of community and social well-being keeps Visalians happy, healthy and moving forward. Come discover all Visalia has to offer!

The City of Visalia is an equal opportunity employer.
The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in the announcement may be modified or revoked without notice. Please refer to the Compensation and Benefit Summary for further information.

Bargaining Unit: Employees in this class are unrepresented.

Salary Policies: The salary range for the job is stated on the job announcement. Candidates are normally hired at the minimum of the salary range. Salary increases are given based upon employee work performance, up to a maximum of 5% per fiscal year.

Longevity Pay: Excluding Police Captains, Confidential/Unrepresented employees are eligible for longevity pay based on all years of full-time service with the City of Visalia as a percentage of base wages at the following intervals: 2.0% at 5+ years, 10+ years, 15+ years, and 20+ years. Police Captains are eligible for longevity pay based on all years of full-time service with the City of Visalia as a percentage of base wages at the following intervals: 2.5% at 5+ years, 10+ years, 15+ years, and 20+ years. Prior full-time law enforcement officer experience may be counted toward years of service in determining longevity pay for Police Captains.

Fire Battalion Chief Shift Coverage Pay/Strike Team Assignment: Fire Battalion Chiefs are provided an annual shift coverage stipend of $1,250 paid in the paycheck covering the first pay period in November. In addition, when a Battalion Chief is required to cover an extra shift, they receive $1, 250 for coverage of shifts lasting 12-24 hours and $625 for shift coverage lasting 6-12 hours.

Police Captain POST Certificate Pay: Police Captains who hold and maintain POST certificates will be compensated as a percent of base pay rate as follows: a) Intermediate - 3%; b) Advanced - 2%; c) Supervisory - 1%; d) Management - 1%.

Bilingual pay of $900 per year, pro-rated per pay period, is available to those who qualify.

Uniforms and Uniform Maintenance: For Fire Battalion Chiefs, the City currently provides the necessary uniforms, boots, and safety equipment as needed to perform the job. The City also currently provides uniform cleaning. Police Captains receive an annual uniform allowance of $1,100 for the provision and maintenance of appropriate uniforms and equipment. Police Captains are responsible for acquiring, cleaning, and replacing uniforms as necessary. The uniform allowance is calculated and paid bi-weekly as part of regular payroll.

Holidays: Regular full-time City employees receive 11 paid holidays and one (1) floating holiday per year. In lieu of holidays and floating holidays recognized by the City, Fire Battalion Chiefs on shift (48/96 schedule) will receive holiday pay equivalent to 6 shifts (144 hours) per year, prorated and paid in the pay period the designated holiday falls.

Vacation: Regular full-time employees earn 10 days per year. After 2 years, employees are eligible for 11 days; after 4 years, 14 days; after 9 years, 17 days; and after 16 years, 20 days of vacation per year. Employees are eligible for vacation usage after six (6) months of service. Employees hired from another governmental agency may be entitled to receive years-of-service credit for their vacation accrual rate for such previous employment and applies only to the government agency the employee was employed with immediately prior to employment with the City of Visalia.

Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees earn 96 hours of sick leave per year. Battalion Chiefs on shift (48/96 schedule) receive one day (24 hours) per two months of service. Employees are eligible for sick leave usage after three (3) months of service.

Annual Sick Leave Buy Back: For employees covered under the Sick Leave I provision of the policy, the City will automatically cash out all sick leave hours over 480 hours at 50% of the employee's base rate of pay.

Administrative Leave: Employees classified as FLSA exempt (not eligible for overtime pay) currently receive 56 hours of administrative leave per calendar year credited in January. Any unused administrative leave hours are automatically paid out on the first paycheck in December.

Compensatory Time Off: Regular full-time employees classified as FLSA non-exempt (eligible for overtime pay) receive 16 hours compensatory time off per calendar year credited in January.

Health Insurance: The City provides employee health insurance which includes medical, dental, and vision care. Employee contribution rates are determined by employee's bargaining unit and plan selected. Health benefits are also available for an employee's dependents for an additional contribution rate. Eligibility for health insurance benefits begins on the first of the month after the date of hire. Contribution rates are reviewed for adjustment annually.

Life Insurance: The City pays the premium for a life insurance and accidental death or dismemberment policy of $30,000. A supplemental life insurance policy may be purchased and paid through payroll deduction. Eligibility for life insurance benefits begins on the first of the month after the date of hire.

Retirement: The City of Visalia is a member of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). New employees are covered under the 2% @ 62 plan. (Employees with previous CalPERS qualifying service (Classic employees) may fall under the 2% @ 60 plan.) Each pay period, the employee pays an employee contribution at the CalPERS established rate. The City pays an employer contribution towards the retirement benefit and employees are responsible for contributing 4% of the employer contribution in addition to the required employee contribution.

Safety employees (Police Captains & Fire Battalion Chiefs) are covered under the 2.7% @ 57 plan. (Employees with previous PERS qualifying service (Classic employees) may fall under the 3% @ 55 plan.) Each pay period, the employee pays an employee contribution at the CalPERS established rate. The City pays an employer contribution towards the retirement benefit and employees are responsible for contributing 3% of the employer contribution in addition to the required employee contribution.

Social Security/FICA: City employees are not subject to regular Social Security (FICA) deductions. However, Federal law requires that the Medicare portion of the FICA is deducted.

Section 125: The City offers a voluntary Section 125 program whereby tax free contributions are put into a trust account and are available for withdrawal with documentation of an unreimbursed healthcare or dependent care expense (i.e. premium, dependent care, medical care).

Long Term Disability: Regular full-time City employees are eligible for disability insurance (up to 2/3 of their salary) in the event they are disabled for more than ninety (90) days. LTD premium cost is paid by the employee.

Worker's Compensation: Full-time and hourly employees who sustain an occupational injury or contract occupational illnesses receive standard Worker's Compensation benefits as prescribed by law.

Other Benefits: The City also offers additional benefits such as an employee assistance program (EAP), a pre-tax deferred compensation plan, education assistance up to $2,500 per fiscal year, as well as a City-sponsored clinic staffed by clinicians 6 days per week available to all full-time employees and covered dependents. Services include general medical care and health and wellness coaching. No deductibles, co-pays, or out-of-pocket expenses.

As a potential applicant, you are about to participate in a series of events collectively called the employment process. Because the goal of the employment process is to obtain the most qualified candidates to fill City positions, examinations are administered to qualified applicants. These examinations are conducted in a variety of ways (written, oral, practical, and/or performance), yet they share a common purpose - to test applicants based upon the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties and responsibilities of the job.

The employment process occurs in several stages which are described below:

Application: Perspective employees must submit a City of Visalia application and other documents required as outlined in the announcement by the closing time specified on the final filing date. Final filing dates and times are listed on the front of each announcement. Separate original applications must be submitted for each recruitment/position applied for.

Examination: Applicants will be evaluated and applicants who clearly appear to be more qualified in terms of knowledge, skills, and abilities will be invited to take an examination or combination of examinations. Written, practical, oral, and/or performance examination scores, or a pre-determined combined examination score, will determine standing on the eligible list.

Exam Accommodations: If you are most qualified for the job, but need reasonable accommodations to take the exam, contact the Human Resources Division at least five (5) days prior to the exam. We want to work with you to design a fair and effective means by which you can demonstrate your ability to perform the essential functions of this job. Be prepared to furnish proof of the need for accommodation. Such proof should normally be a signed statement on letterhead by a professional who is qualified to make a diagnosis.

Eligible lists: Eligible lists contain names, in descending order of score, of applicants who have obtained passing scores. Eligible lists are maintained for no less than six (6) months and no more than one year unless otherwise determined by Human Resources. The City retains the authority to reestablish an eligible list for a specific job opening when deemed necessary. Separate eligible lists are established for each recruitment.

Selection: A departmental interview is conducted with the top candidates from the eligible list. The number of candidates interviewed depends on the number of vacancies.

Background Review: Depending on the position, prospective employees will be subject to clearing a background investigation which may include, but is not limited to, a reference check, credit check, criminal history review, social security verification, DMV record check, polygraph, and psychological evaluation.

Post Offer Medical Examination: Prior to starting work, all prospective employees are required to take a drug/alcohol screening administered by the City's medical provider and/or pass a medical examination. Candidates are cautioned not to quit or give notice to present employers until the medical examination has been completed and passed.

Probationary Period: Employees appointed to a new position through an open or promotional process are required to serve a twelve (12) month probationary period in their newly appointed position. An employee may be terminated without recourse for any reason and at any time during the probationary period.

Immigration Law: Prior to employment, applicants will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, alien registration, or authorization to work in the United States at time of appointment, and complete an I-9 form. Failure to do so within three (3) days from date of hire may be cause for termination. Once hired, failure to maintain authorization to work in the United States may be cause for termination of employment.

Driver's License: Some City positions may require possession of a valid California Driver's License. Employees may also be required to submit a DMV printout with proof of automobile insurance as some positions may require the use of your vehicle on the job. Additionally, employees may be required to drive City vehicles or equipment.

Non-Smoking Policy: A non-smoking ordinance adopted by the City provides a smoke-free environment.

Drug-Free Workplace: The City is a drug-free workplace and has adopted a comprehensive substance abuse policy.

Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy: A zero-tolerance discrimination and anti-harassment policy adopted by the City provides employees and volunteers with a professional work environment in which they are not exposed to harassment and illegal discrimination of any kind.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained in the announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.
01

Describe your experience developing and implementing HR policies.
02

Describe your supervisory experience, including your experience in planning, directing, training and evaluating the work of assigned personnel. Indicate the size and level of the staff you supervised.
03

Describe the types of reports you have prepared and to whom you submitted the information. List examples of those reports and include any presentations you have made.
04

What experience do you have ensuring compliance with employment laws such as FMLA, FLSA, ADA, and Title VII? How do you stay current on legal updates?
05

List any training and development courses you have attended in the past three (3) years.
06

Describe your experience in performing professional level Human Resources and personnel related administrative functions (such as recruitment & selection, classification & compensation, training and personnel development, policy development & implementation, employee relations, labor relations, etc.).
07

Describe your experience in preparing, analyzing and monitoring a departmental or division budget and performing financial analysis. Give examples of the types of financial analysis you have conducted.
08

What experience do you have with payroll in a municipality. Please include in your response any software you have used, tasks you have been responsible for handling, and pay issues you have addressed.
Required Question