HR Manager

A coastal public agency is seeking a strategic HR Manager to guide personnel programs, strengthen employee relations, and support department leadership across a complex public-sector workforce. This role is designed for an experienced HR professional who can balance long-term workforce planning with practical day-to-day decisions involving policies, labor agreements, and employee support.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead municipal HR programs covering recruitment, classification, compensation, benefits, leave, and employee relations.
• Advise executive leadership and department managers on sensitive personnel matters and organizational planning.
• Interpret personnel rules, administrative policies, labor agreements, and applicable employment laws.
• Coordinate labor relations activities, including grievance management and preparation for labor negotiations.
• Oversee employee investigations and ensure documentation is consistent, timely, and appropriately maintained.
• Review compensation structures, job classifications, and position descriptions.
• Support workforce planning, succession planning, retention initiatives, and organizational development.
• Monitor compliance with California employment regulations and relevant public-sector requirements.
• Prepare staffing analyses, policy recommendations, and reports for leadership review.
• Manage HR program budgets, vendor relationships, and department performance goals.
• Coach and develop HR team members while promoting consistent service across departments.
• 6+ years of progressive HR experience, including substantial employee relations and leadership experience.
• Prior municipal, county, special district, or public-agency HR experience strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of labor relations, classification and compensation, and public-sector personnel administration.
• Strong understanding of California employment law and workplace compliance.
• Excellent analytical, writing, presentation, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Experience with HRIS platforms, reporting tools, and confidential personnel records.
• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, public administration, business, or a related field preferred.
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent certification is a plus.