Deputy Director of Human Resources/Risk Management (La Habra)
City of La Habra, CA, La Habra, California, United States, 90633
Salary:
$154,849.00 - $193,385.00 Annually Location :
La Habra, CA Job Type:
Full-time Job Number:
00462 Department:
Human Resources Opening Date:
01/20/2026 Closing Date:
3/31/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Description ABOUT THE CITY
:
City of La Habra is located at Orange County's northernmost corner; La Habra today encompasses 7.3 square miles, with a population of nearly 62,000. A quiet bedroom community, it is conveniently located within an hour's drive of many beaches, mountain, and desert recreation areas. The City is known for the Tamale Festival, Corn Festival, Citrus Fair, and the Children's Museum and Depot Theatre. To learn more about the City of La Habra, please visit: . DESCRIPTION:
Under general administrative direction, plans, manages, oversees, and directs the activities of the Human Resources/Risk Management Department which includes the administration of the City's personnel systems to include job classification and pay plans, employee benefits, performance evaluations, personnel transaction processing, recruitment and selection, labor negotiations, employee relations, risk management to include insurance, safety, liability, and workers' compensation. The Deputy Director of Human Resources/Risk Management serves as a senior leadership role within the Human Resources/Risk Management Department, providing strategic, operational, and administrative support to the Assistant City Manager. This position assists in planning, directing, and overseeing comprehensive human resources and risk management programs, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws, and governing body policies. The Deputy Director plays a key role in advancing the organization's workforce strategy, culture, and service delivery.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Deputy Director of Human Resources/Risk Management is responsible for planning, organizing, developing, and managing the human resources and risk management programs for the City. The incumbent is responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include program development and the implementation of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, priorities, standards related to human resources and risk management functions and programs. The incumbent serves as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines. The work frequently requires attending meetings, coordination with other departments, conducting training, facilitating committee work, and making presentations to City Council. This classification is designated as at will and is excluded from the competitive service.
Examples of Duties Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodation so that the qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Assists in directing, guiding, and overseeing human resources programs, functions, and activities, including recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, benefits administration, employee performance evaluation and merit pay systems, employee discipline, employee/labor relations, labor negotiations, leaves of absences, employee development and training, and human resources strategic planning. Participates in labor negotiations, assists in the development of bargaining strategies, and implements and administers employee labor contracts Works closely with the Assistant City Manager in developing, implementing, and evaluating ongoing human resources and risk management policies, programs, functions and activities. Supervises and evaluates the work performance of assigned personnel; provides staff training; counsels and administers discipline. Prepares department budgets; participates in the forecast of revenue, expenses and additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies. Attends leadership, management, Human Resources, and Risk Management training to stay abreast of industry best practices. Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations. Manages HRIS systems, data reporting, and HR metrics. Provides assistance to management, supervisors, and staff in the interpretation of personnel policies and procedures and processing of employee grievances. Manages and coordinates risk management functions, including oversight of third-party administrators for workers' compensation, property damage, general and automobile liability programs, risk transfer coordination, and employee safety compliance; reviews and recommends actions. Manages compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) relating to employment and employee safety, including the interactive process, reasonable accommodation requests, and ADA grievance procedures. Responds to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations. May be required to attend council meetings, and various community meetings conducted during the evening and weekends as deemed necessary by the Assistant City Manager. Typical Qualifications Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of public administration, human resources, and risk management Principles and practices of organization, administration, and personnel management Principles and techniques of budget development and budget administration Organization and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs. Research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures; sources of information related to a broad range of municipal programs and services. Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations Public sector customer service principles and practices Skill and Ability to:
Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an e?ective manner. Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals. Provide management leadership to professional and administrative support sta?. Manage, supervise, train and evaluate assigned employees. Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, and methods. Develop, implement and administer goals, objectives and procedures for providing e?ective administrative services. Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures and techniques. Prepare clear and concise reports and develop appropriate recommendations, both orally and in writing Interpret and apply city policies, procedures, rules and regulations. Prepare and administer a complex departmental budget. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Deliver and support departmental sta? delivery of quality customer service.
Education and Experience Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be: Graduation with a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university preferably with a major in human resources, labor relations, business or public administration or a closely related field and at least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional public personnel/human resources and risk management administration experience, two (2) of which were in a supervisory capacity. A Master's degree in Public Administration is highly desirable. Supplemental Information PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is constantly required to sit, and occasionally to stand and walk; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist. The employee must be able to verbally communicate to exchange information. The employee must be able to operate standard office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination, including the use of a computer keyboard; and reach with hands and arms both above the below shoulder level. The employee occasionally lifts and carries records and documents typically weighing less than 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this class include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use oral and written communication skills, read, and interpret data. Thoroughly analyze and solve problems; exercise soun
$154,849.00 - $193,385.00 Annually Location :
La Habra, CA Job Type:
Full-time Job Number:
00462 Department:
Human Resources Opening Date:
01/20/2026 Closing Date:
3/31/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Description ABOUT THE CITY
:
City of La Habra is located at Orange County's northernmost corner; La Habra today encompasses 7.3 square miles, with a population of nearly 62,000. A quiet bedroom community, it is conveniently located within an hour's drive of many beaches, mountain, and desert recreation areas. The City is known for the Tamale Festival, Corn Festival, Citrus Fair, and the Children's Museum and Depot Theatre. To learn more about the City of La Habra, please visit: . DESCRIPTION:
Under general administrative direction, plans, manages, oversees, and directs the activities of the Human Resources/Risk Management Department which includes the administration of the City's personnel systems to include job classification and pay plans, employee benefits, performance evaluations, personnel transaction processing, recruitment and selection, labor negotiations, employee relations, risk management to include insurance, safety, liability, and workers' compensation. The Deputy Director of Human Resources/Risk Management serves as a senior leadership role within the Human Resources/Risk Management Department, providing strategic, operational, and administrative support to the Assistant City Manager. This position assists in planning, directing, and overseeing comprehensive human resources and risk management programs, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws, and governing body policies. The Deputy Director plays a key role in advancing the organization's workforce strategy, culture, and service delivery.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Deputy Director of Human Resources/Risk Management is responsible for planning, organizing, developing, and managing the human resources and risk management programs for the City. The incumbent is responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include program development and the implementation of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, priorities, standards related to human resources and risk management functions and programs. The incumbent serves as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines. The work frequently requires attending meetings, coordination with other departments, conducting training, facilitating committee work, and making presentations to City Council. This classification is designated as at will and is excluded from the competitive service.
Examples of Duties Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodation so that the qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Assists in directing, guiding, and overseeing human resources programs, functions, and activities, including recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, benefits administration, employee performance evaluation and merit pay systems, employee discipline, employee/labor relations, labor negotiations, leaves of absences, employee development and training, and human resources strategic planning. Participates in labor negotiations, assists in the development of bargaining strategies, and implements and administers employee labor contracts Works closely with the Assistant City Manager in developing, implementing, and evaluating ongoing human resources and risk management policies, programs, functions and activities. Supervises and evaluates the work performance of assigned personnel; provides staff training; counsels and administers discipline. Prepares department budgets; participates in the forecast of revenue, expenses and additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies. Attends leadership, management, Human Resources, and Risk Management training to stay abreast of industry best practices. Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations. Manages HRIS systems, data reporting, and HR metrics. Provides assistance to management, supervisors, and staff in the interpretation of personnel policies and procedures and processing of employee grievances. Manages and coordinates risk management functions, including oversight of third-party administrators for workers' compensation, property damage, general and automobile liability programs, risk transfer coordination, and employee safety compliance; reviews and recommends actions. Manages compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) relating to employment and employee safety, including the interactive process, reasonable accommodation requests, and ADA grievance procedures. Responds to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations. May be required to attend council meetings, and various community meetings conducted during the evening and weekends as deemed necessary by the Assistant City Manager. Typical Qualifications Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of public administration, human resources, and risk management Principles and practices of organization, administration, and personnel management Principles and techniques of budget development and budget administration Organization and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs. Research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures; sources of information related to a broad range of municipal programs and services. Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations Public sector customer service principles and practices Skill and Ability to:
Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an e?ective manner. Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals. Provide management leadership to professional and administrative support sta?. Manage, supervise, train and evaluate assigned employees. Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, and methods. Develop, implement and administer goals, objectives and procedures for providing e?ective administrative services. Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures and techniques. Prepare clear and concise reports and develop appropriate recommendations, both orally and in writing Interpret and apply city policies, procedures, rules and regulations. Prepare and administer a complex departmental budget. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Deliver and support departmental sta? delivery of quality customer service.
Education and Experience Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be: Graduation with a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university preferably with a major in human resources, labor relations, business or public administration or a closely related field and at least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional public personnel/human resources and risk management administration experience, two (2) of which were in a supervisory capacity. A Master's degree in Public Administration is highly desirable. Supplemental Information PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is constantly required to sit, and occasionally to stand and walk; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist. The employee must be able to verbally communicate to exchange information. The employee must be able to operate standard office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination, including the use of a computer keyboard; and reach with hands and arms both above the below shoulder level. The employee occasionally lifts and carries records and documents typically weighing less than 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this class include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use oral and written communication skills, read, and interpret data. Thoroughly analyze and solve problems; exercise soun