Salary : $138,348.75 - $193,707.23 Annually
Location : Ventura and may require travel throughout Ventura County, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 1642CEO-26AC (KCR)
Department: County Executive Office
Opening Date: 06/08/2026
Closing Date: 7/17/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Description
PLEASE READ THIS BULLETIN CAREFULLY AS IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE POSITION AND THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

THE DEPARTMENT

The County Executive Office, Human Resources, is dedicated to serving with integrity. The efforts of the human resource team members impact all the employees, future employees, and constituents of Ventura County. This is a dynamic work environment which provides continuing growth opportunities.
THE POSITION

Under the general direction of the Human Resources Deputy Executive Officer, the Human Resources Manager for the Human Services Agency (HSA) acts as a strategic partner and thought leader, guiding the Agency's HR operations, workforce planning, and people strategy. This role offers high-level consultation, strategic guidance, and operational leadership across all areas of human resources, supporting a large, complex, and impactful agency.
The HR Manager leads, develops, and mentors a team of HR professionals responsible for recruitment and selection, performance management, employee and labor relations support, leave and disability administration coordination, workforce planning, training, workplace safety initiatives, and organizational development. This includes overseeing key safety functions such as coordinating building and security procedures, assisting with urgent safety communications, and collaborating with leadership to promote a safe and prepared work environment.
The HR Manager is a trusted advisor to HSA leadership, able to voice alternative viewpoints, anticipate workforce challenges, and craft solutions based on sound judgment, HR best practices, and a strong service orientation. This role also ensures alignment with County policies, state and federal laws, and merit-based principles while promoting continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Success in this role demands exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, political savvy, and the ability to handle complex and sensitive issues with discretion and professionalism.
THE OPPORTUNITY

This is a high-impact leadership role for someone eager to shape the future of the County's largest social services agency. The Human Resources Manager will have the opportunity to:
• Serve as a key strategic advisor to HSA leadership
• Strengthen Agency culture, workforce engagement, retention, and organizational effectiveness
• Lead a team of talented HR professionals and build future HR leadership capacity
• Modernize processes and deliver innovative, practical solutions to complex challenges
• Improve HR operations through data-driven decision-making and performance metrics
• Navigate and influence change in a dynamic and mission-driven environment
This position provides an opportunity to make a lasting impact on how the Agency recruits, develops, supports, and retains its workforce-ultimately enhancing the services provided to the community.
IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is an experienced HR professional and effective leader who balances strategic thinking with operational excellence. They are comfortable navigating grey areas, can diplomatically express alternative or challenging viewpoints, and excel at leading through change.

They will serve as a coach and mentor who empowers staff, builds trust, and promotes accountability. They will have extensive public-sector HR expertise, strong decision-making skills, and the ability to anticipate emerging issues.
Key competencies and attributes include:
• Strategic Thinking & Foresight: Anticipates workforce challenges and sees issues before they arise
• Thought Partnership: Provides mature judgment and balanced recommendations, even in ambiguous situations
• Leadership & Team Development: Skilled in coaching, mentoring, delegating, and building high-performing teams
• Problem Solving: Strong analytical abilities to address complex, multi-layered HR issues
• Communication Excellence: Clear, persuasive, and diplomatic communicator across diverse stakeholders
• Relationship Building: Builds trust with executives, managers, staff, and labor partners
• Business & Technical HR Expertise: Thorough knowledge of recruitment, employee relations, performance management, and compliance
• Professional Impact: Influences decision-makers and enhances the credibility of the HR function
• Action & Results Focus: Delivers outcomes and drives process improvements with measurable results
PAYROLL TITLE: Program Management Analyst

The Program Management Analyst is a management classification and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Opening Date: June 8, 2026

Closing Date: July 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

Application Review: Tentatively scheduled for the week of July 20th

Oral Exam: Shortly after the application review period

Examples Of Duties
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Provides strategic leadership and direction for all Human Resources (HR) functions within the Human Services Agency, aligning HR initiatives with organizational goals and priorities.
• Serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, offering expert consultation on workforce planning, organizational development, and complex personnel matters.
• Leads, develops, and mentors a team of HR professionals, fostering a high-performing, accountable, and service-oriented work environment.
• Oversees recruitment and selection processes to attract, retain, and promote a qualified and diverse workforce.
• Directs employee and labor relations activities, including advising on disciplinary actions, conflict resolution, and interpretation of policies, MOUs, and employment laws.
• Guides performance management practices, ensuring consistency, fairness, and alignment with merit system principles.
• Oversees leave administration and disability-related processes, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and policies.
• Manages sensitive and complex issues with a high degree of discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with internal stakeholders, labor representatives, and external partners.
• Leads workplace safety efforts, including coordination of building and security procedures, emergency preparedness, and safety communications.
• Ensures compliance with County policies, civil service rules, and federal and state employment laws and regulations.
• Partners with leadership to assess workforce needs, support succession planning, and implement effective organizational development strategies.
• Oversees and supports training and professional development initiatives to enhance employee engagement and organizational effectiveness.
• Manages analysis of HR metrics and data to inform decision-making, improve processes, and drive operational excellence.
• Identifies opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement in HR programs, systems, and service delivery.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications
These are the entrance requirements for the examination process and do not guarantee either continuation in the process or placement on an eligible list.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE
Substantial experience in personnel management, supervision, and specific operations and/or technical experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

The required knowledge, skills, and abilities also can be obtained by a Bachelor's degree in business, human resources, public administration, organizational behavior, industrial/organizational psychology, or a closely related field

AND

Five (5) or more years of professional-level human resources experience which includes at least two (2) years of strategic leadership developing and guiding teams and consulting with management.
Education/Experience Substitution

Additional experience may substitute for a bachelor's degree for up to four (4) years.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Demonstrated Experience:

• Providing strategic leadership to human resource teams including assessing workforce needs, supporting succession planning, and implementing effective organizational development strategies
• Analyzing administrative and personnel issues to resolve problems and improve operations
• Analyzing policy matters, rules and regulations, and formulating recommendations to management

Ability to possess and maintain a valid California driver license.

NOTE: Excellent written communication, as evidenced by clear, concise, and well-structured responses in the employment application and the supplemental questionnaire.

Desired:

A graduate degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Industrial/Organizational Psychology,
Experience as a human resource leader within a public sector employer.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Thorough knowledge of: techniques of administrative process, including leadership and strategic thinking; HSA organization structure, functions and problems characteristic of local government units and HR program operations; principles and practices of supervision and management including performance management and discipline; public sector personnel management including recruitment and selections, classification and compensation, benefits administration, employee development and training and County Personnel Rules and Regulations; principles and practices of risk management, interactive processes, reasonable accommodation and related State and Federal laws as well as County rules and regulations as applicable; labor relations including the principles and practices of unionized labor relations, employee relations, Skelly, Weingarten, and County Memorandums of Agreement and the Management Resolution.

Skill in: researching, analyzing, and interpreting various forms of data accurately; investigating workplace complaints, conducting administrative investigations including gathering facts, and drafting reports, and providing recommendations; use of Microsoft Office applications; NeoGov Insight and On-Line Hiring Center; administrative functions in VCHRP.
Comprehensive ability to: plan, organize, supervise and manage professional and support staff effectively; develop and maintain confidence and cooperation of the HSA executive team, employees, employee representatives and the public; analyze policy matters, rules and regulati