Human Resources Manager

Description

This is a unique opportunity to build a forward-thinking HR system that supports a high-performing agency.

About the Team You Will Join

At the City of Los Altos, we believe our people are our greatest asset. Our Human Resources Department is committed to cultivating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow. We prioritize employee well-being—mental, physical, and financial—and foster a culture that celebrates achievements, promotes continuous learning, and builds a thriving organizational community.

Your Impact as HR Manager

As the Human Resources Manager, you will serve in a leadership capacity, providing strategic and operational management for the department. You will play a pivotal role in shaping citywide HR policies, programs, and initiatives that drive recruitment, performance excellence, employee engagement, and workforce development. This is a high-impact role that requires both strategic vision and hands-on execution.

In this critical leadership role, the Human Resources Manager will be responsible for researching, designing, and implementing a competency-based recruitment and selection program. This initiative will modernize the City's recruitment strategy by aligning hiring practices with clearly defined core, technical, and leadership competencies for each classification.

The program will be tied to a banding approach to compensation, establishing salary ranges based on demonstrated competencies and levels of responsibility—supporting career growth, internal equity, and workforce flexibility. The selected candidate will spearhead this work in partnership with department leaders and an HR recruitment team, ensuring it integrates seamlessly with performance management and professional development frameworks.

This is a unique opportunity to build a forward-thinking HR system that supports a high-performing agency.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of HR at the City of Los Altos and work directly alongside the HR Director in leading a dynamic and impactful team. If you're a forward-thinking HR leader ready to take the next step in your career, we invite you to apply and help us build a high-performing and people-first organization.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• A strategic mindset with the ability to execute and lead operationally.
• Demonstrated success managing organizational development and talent management projects.
• Knowledge of public sector HR practices, labor laws, and workforce trends.
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and coaching skills.
• A passion for employee development, engagement, and equity.

Examples of Duties

Strategic Leadership Business Partner

• Support the HR Director in executing the City’s HR strategy and serve as Acting Director as needed.
• Provide supervision and guidance to HR staff, consultants, and cross-departmental project teams.
• Lead process improvements and ensure HR operations are efficient, compliant, and responsive.

Competency-Based Recruitment & Selection Program

• Develop and implement a competency-based recruitment model to enhance the quality, consistency, and fairness of hiring decisions.
• Oversee end-to-end recruitment and selection processes, including workforce planning, job analysis, interview design, and selection procedures.
• Provide strategic guidance to departments on recruitment, retention, and succession planning efforts.

Performance Management System Implementation

• Design and launch a comprehensive performance evaluation system based on clear competencies and organizational goals.
• Train managers on delivering feedback, setting expectations, and conducting performance conversations that promote accountability and growth.
• Continuously assess the effectiveness of the performance management process and recommend enhancements.

Training and Organizational Development

• Lead the City’s employee training and development strategy, including the creation of leadership programs, skill-based training, and compliance education.
• Evaluate the impact of development programs on employee performance and organizational effectiveness.
• Foster a culture of learning, growth, and internal mobility.

Employee Onboarding and Engagement

• Oversee the new employee onboarding program, ensuring a positive and engaging experience that supports early success and long-term retention.
• Develop initiatives to boost employee engagement, recognition, and workplace satisfaction.
• Partner with departments to design tailored onboarding and first-year success strategies.

HR Business Partner & Generalist Leadership

• Provide expert guidance on employee relations, labor relations, classification and compensation, benefits, and HR policies.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to department leaders on people-related matters including conflict resolution, workforce planning, and performance issues.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal employment laws and City policies.

Please click here to review the full description of the Human Resources Manager position outlining the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this classification.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education:

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in human resources, public administration, business administration, or a related field. Master’s degree in a related field is highly desirable.

Experience :

• Six (6) years of increasingly responsible professional human resources administration experience including two (2) years of lead or supervisory experience. Public sector experience is strongly preferred.

Licenses and Certifications :

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Professional certification such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP is highly desirable.

Supplemental Information

This recruitment may be used to fill other positions within the Human Resources management team. Applicants with a range of experience levels are encouraged to apply.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Attend and participate in weekend or evening meetings and events as assigned.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Los Altos is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of a person’s race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age or sexual orientation. Candidates with a disability, which may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process, should advise City of Los Altos upon submittal of application. Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

Closing Date/Time: 7/24/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Los Altos

• 650-947-2759

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