Principal Human Resources Analyst (AM) - Benefits Administration

The City of Santa Ana is seeking a Principal Human Resources Analyst (AM) - Benefits Administration to administer the City’s employee benefits, rideshare, and wellness programs. Under general direction, this role supervises and supports advanced HR functional areas, with a focus on complex benefits administration, recruitment support, and program oversight.

What you will do

• Provide supervisory oversight of advanced professional and technical HR functional areas within the Human Resources Operations Division, including health benefits and recruitment and selection.
• Assist in managing health benefit programs by reviewing employee benefit eligibility, auditing benefit enrollment and billings, administering rideshare, health fairs, and wellness programs, and coordinating benefit open enrollment.
• Oversee benefit orientations and retirement counseling, advise on retirement processes, support internal and external benefit audits, and provide benefits assistance to staff.
• Administer labor agreement benefit provisions and provide benefits-related support aligned to applicable agreements.
• Recommend, develop, and implement City rules, programs, policies, and procedures; participate in data research and statistical analysis; and prepare comprehensive written reports.
• Identify resource needs and opportunities to improve service delivery methods and procedures, review findings with management staff, and implement improvements.
• Participate in the development and administration of assigned program budgets, including forecasting funds for staffing, services, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitor expenditures; and recommend adjustments as needed.
• Oversee the preparation and administration of requests for proposals and contracts for professional and contract services, participate in vendor selection, oversee City Council related reporting, and administer and track approved contracts.
• Assign, direct, coordinate, and review work activities and projects; monitor work flow; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures; and support staff in resolving problems.
• Select, train, motivate, and evaluate assigned personnel; coordinate staff training; work with employees to address deficiencies; and implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversee and participate in recruitment and selection activities, working with managers to analyze staffing needs and develop recruitment plans, testing, and selection steps to ensure Citywide consistency.
• Ensure job-related valid screening techniques and advise on effective outreach and advertising efforts; provide assistance and information to employees and applicants.
• Support onboarding and offboarding activities, including processing new hire paperwork, coordinating medical and background check processes, and assisting with separation administration.
• Oversee other employee related programs such as performance appraisals, bilingual examinations, personnel action forms, and seniority analysis; update website materials and ensure division compliance with state, federal, and other regulatory rules and procedures.
• Provide information and assistance to City staff, the public, and outside agencies and organizations regarding HR Department programs, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Provide complex support to management, participate on committees and boards, and prepare and present staff reports and other correspondence.
• May assist in preparing, coordinating, and facilitating employee training programs, and may assist in the administration of Personnel Board proceedings and/or other professional boards and commissions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required qualifications

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in human resources administration, including two (2) years of supervisory experience.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Knowledge of public sector human resources administration, benefits, recruitment and selection, principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation, organizational development and training, public sector pension systems, municipal budgetary processes and control, and methods for research and statistical analysis.
• Ability to oversee and direct day-to-day operations of a comprehensive human resources program; select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff; recommend and implement goals, objectives, programs, projects, policies, and procedures; interpret and apply Citywide and departmental codes, policies, procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations; and participate in budget preparation and administration.
• Possession and retention of a valid driver’s license, or alternative transportation that reasonably meets operational needs is required.

Highly desirable

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
• IPMA-Senior Certified Professional (IPMA-SCP) certification.

Selection process

• Complete and submit an online City application (including Supplemental Questionnaire) with resume and cover letter.
• Resumes and attachments will be used along with the application to determine qualifications.
• Communication with candidates will be via e-mail.
• Writing Skills Examination (tentatively scheduled for the week of October 26, 2026) will evaluate subject matter knowledge, analytical skills, and writing aptitude; candidates must achieve a minimum passing score to continue.
• Oral Interview Examination (tentatively scheduled for the week of November 2, 2026) will be weighted at 100% and will evaluate experience, training, communication, education, and abilities; candidates must achieve a minimum passing score to be placed on the eligible list.
• Candidates must achieve a passing score in every component to be placed on the eligible list.
• The Human Resources Department may waive one or more examination components; when one weighted component is waived, the remaining section will receive a weight of 100%.

Location: Santa Ana, CA (onsite)
Salary: USD 131,076 - 159,348 per year