Senior Human Resources Analyst

DESCRIPTION

ABOUT US

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City employee, you’ll work alongside others who are passionate, motivated, and committed to public service. We strive to provide employees with the support and resources they need to thrive, both professionally and personally. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here.

The Human Resources Department plays a critical role in supporting the City's mission by partnering with departments to attract, retain, and develop a talented and diverse workforce. Our team provides citywide leadership in areas such as recruitment, benefits, classification and compensation, training, employee engagement, and labor relations.

Our mission:

Through strategic partnerships and collaboration with departments and the public, Human Resources develops and delivers programs and services to support and strengthen the City's workforce to deliver the highest standard of service to the public.

Learn more about the Human Resources Department here.

THE POSITION

The City of Santa Barbara’s Human Resources Department is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and service-oriented Senior Human Resources Analyst to join our dynamic team.

This advanced professional position performs complex, highly responsible, and confidential analytical work across all areas of human resources management, including recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, labor and employee relations, disciplinary investigations, policy development, performance management, and organizational initiatives. The Senior Human Resources Analyst serves as a strategic partner and subject-matter expert to City departments, providing guidance, data-driven recommendations, and proactive solutions that support the City’s mission, values, and workforce goals.

While the Human Resources Department supports all functional areas of HR, the ideal candidate will bring strong expertise and demonstrated experience in classification and compensation, including job analysis, salary administration, and organizational alignment. Candidates with broad human resources experience in other technical areas such as employee relations, investigations, or labor relations are also encouraged to apply, as assignments may vary based on departmental needs.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned HR professional who exercises sound judgment, demonstrates exceptional analytical ability, and builds trusted relationships at all levels of the organization. They thrive in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment and bring a strong commitment to fairness, transparency, and continuous improvement in public sector human resources administration.

This is a unique opportunity to join a small, high-impact HR team that values professionalism, collaboration, and innovation. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping HR programs, mentoring staff, and supporting organizational excellence.

In this role, you will:

Lead classification and compensation studies, including job analyses, desk audits, salary surveys, and recommendations for reclassifications, range adjustments, or organizational restructuring.

Serve as the department’s subject matter expert on job design, pay equity, internal alignment, and compensation strategy.

Develop and maintain Citywide salary schedules and classification specifications; ensure consistency, transparency, and compliance with applicable laws, MOUs, and policies.

Partner with department managers to assess organizational needs, advise on staffing structures, and recommend sustainable workforce solutions.

Prepare detailed analytical reports and presentations for HR leadership, the City Administrator’s Office, and City Council as required.

Support other functional areas such as employee relations, labor relations, recruitment, and policy administration as needed.

Interpret and apply federal, state, and local employment laws, City policies, and collective bargaining agreements.

Represent Human Resources on cross-departmental committees, classification-related labor negotiation teams, and special projects that advance organizational effectiveness.

The ideal candidate will possess:

Extensive knowledge and experience in public sector classification and compensation, including job evaluation methodologies, salary survey design, and pay structure development.

Proven ability to analyze, interpret, and communicate complex data and translate findings into practical, defensible recommendations.

A deep understanding of how compensation strategy aligns with organizational goals, recruitment, retention, and labor market conditions.

Familiarity with public sector collective bargaining and its impact on classification and compensation administration.

Excellent writing and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly communicate findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Broad knowledge of other human resources functions and the ability to contribute across multiple program areas as needed.

A proactive, solution-oriented mindset and a commitment to supporting the City’s workforce through integrity, professionalism, and service excellence.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

Modern principles and practices of human resource management and administration.

Contract review, analysis and administration.

Financial projecting and forecasting techniques.

Current trends in public administration and literature in the field.

Current and pending legislation which might impact human resources.

Methods and techniques of recruitment, selection and interviewing.

Principles for job evaluation and analysis.

Research and analysis methods and techniques.

Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to:

Perform a variety of professional, technical and analytical human resources functions.

Supervise, organize, and review the work of lower level staff.

Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.

Plan, coordinate and organize major studies or projects.

Participate in developing operational reports and recommendations.

Prepare and present reports orally before policy and decision-making bodies.

Read, interpret and implement complex legislation and regulations.

Design and conduct research projects.

Develop and implement policy decisions and accomplish intended results.

Resolve conflicts effectively.

Interpret and apply City policies, procedures, rules and regulations.

Effectively administer assigned programmatic responsibilities.

Gather, organize and analyze statistical data.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible professional human resources experience. Experience in municipal or other public sector human resources environments is highly desirable. Supervisory or lead experience is also desirable.

Education and Training:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably with major course work in human resource management, public administration, business administration, or a related field.

A Human Resources Management Certificate, a SPHR Certificate from SHRM, and/or a CP Certificate from IPMA-HR is highly desirable.

SELECTION PROCESS

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as “See application”, “Extensive Experience”, or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire. The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2025.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

The City of Santa Barbara is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, or other factors. We believe in fostering an inclusive work environment where employees feel valued, respected and empowered.

Disaster Services Assignments

As public employees, we play an enhanced role in the event of a disaster or other emergency in our community. You will be registered as a disaster services worker, and you will be issued a disaster services identification card. In the event of a disaster or other emergency, make sure that your family is safe and secure first, then report to your assigned emergency location. Hourly employees generally do not receive disaster services assignments.