Human Resources Director

The City of Coalinga offers a senior leadership opportunity in human resources, focused on shaping payroll, recruitment, employee and labor relations, benefits, training, safety, and risk management. This onsite, contract role in Coalinga, California carries a salary range of USD 110,674 to 141,252 per year and provides staff support to the City Manager, City Council, and City Administrator. The City is an Equal Opportunity employer and values collaborative, service-driven leadership that fosters a positive work environment.

Responsibilities

• Assume full accountability for all daily operations of the Human Resources Department, including payroll, recruitment, employee and labor relations, workers’ compensation, classification and compensation, benefits administration, training, safety, and risk management; coordinate activities with City officials, departments, other agencies, and organizations.
• Develop, implement and maintain department goals, policies and procedures; work with staff to interpret City policies; evaluate methods to improve performance, enhance services and ensure goals are met.
• Plan, direct and coordinate the HR department’s work plan, assign activities, assess effectiveness, and resolve issues to maintain organizational productivity.
• Serve as Chief Negotiator for labor agreements, draft contract language, administer agreements, and represent the City in labor management matters.
• Administer the civil service system, initiate meet and confer studies, coordinate cost analyses on proposals, conduct classification and salary studies, and provide recommendations to the City Manager.
• Coach and counsel employees, oversee investigations of discrimination or harassment, and guide departments on disciplinary actions consistent with City procedures.
• Oversee city-wide employee benefit and retirement program activities through contract administration and external providers.
• Draft proposed resolutions and ordinances; prepare correspondence, reports and recommendations for the City Manager; ensure compliance with current legislation and applicable laws.
• Develop and manage the HR department budget, forecast staffing and equipment needs, advocate programs, monitor expenditures, and adjust as necessary.
• Coordinate city-wide trainings and development programs for staff; assign and monitor completion of mandated training.
• Process and review payroll records for compliance; act as a back-up payroll processor; calculate and post payroll actions such as garnishments, benefits, withholdings, overtime, and workers’ compensation payments; balance and correct payroll reports.
• Maintain payroll files and make permanent changes to benefits, taxes, deductions, accruals, and records in the payroll system; handle related documentation.
• Be knowledgeable of payroll activities including tax deposits, quarterly reports, CalPERS reporting, and W-2s; balance and prepare payroll taxes for state and federal quarterly and annual returns.
• Apply knowledge of federal and state leaves of absence including FMLA, CFRA, PDL, and related policies.
• Conduct classification, salary and benefits studies and present recommendations to the City Manager.
• Serve as a resource for HR staff, City staff, and other organizations; coordinate information and teams to foster a positive, productive work environment.
• Attend professional meetings and workshops to stay current on HR, payroll, recruitment, benefits, employee and labor relations, safety, risk management, training, and workers’ compensation topics.
• Respond to and resolve sensitive and complex inquiries, issues and complaints.
• Administer the maintenance of official City employee, medical, benefits and workers’ compensation files and records.
• Build positive relationships with state and local agencies, associations, staff and the public.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Application and Requirements

• Technology and portal: Government Jobs portal is used for applications; CalPERS is a relevant reference point for retirement reporting.
• Application materials: City of Coalinga Employment Application on the Government Jobs portal; include a resume and copies of appropriate licenses/certificates.
• Deadline: Minimum qualifications and required materials must be received by the last filing day; applicants are responsible for ensuring all materials are submitted.
• Submission rules: Faxed applications will not be accepted; completed applications must be submitted through the Government Jobs portal; incomplete applications will not be accepted; resumes submitted in lieu of a completed City of Coalinga Employment Application will not be accepted.
• Communication: All communication from the City will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application.
• Equal opportunity: The City of Coalinga is an Equal Opportunity employer, nondiscriminatory on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, or veteran status; reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Physical Requirements

• The position is typically performed in an office setting with climate control; requires the ability to hear and speak for information exchange in person and by phone; vision sufficient for reading written materials and computer screens.
• Likely to involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping as part of daily activities; dexterity to operate a computer and related devices.