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Job Description
Description
Help shape the systems that support a high-performing public workforce.
The City of Palo Alto is seeking a skilled and highly motivated Management Specialist to join our Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) team. This is a limited-term, opportunity for at least six months designed to support the team during a period of high work volume related to a major technology and system upgrade.
This is an opportunity to make an impact behind the scenes-supporting the systems, data, and infrastructure that keep our workforce running.
Tentative Timeline
• Virtual panel interview: Thursday, April 30
• Hiring interview: Tuesday, May 5
• Target start date: Monday, June 1
What You’ll Do:
• Support HR systems and data operations, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and accessibility of information
• Assist with system upgrades and implementation efforts, including data validation and process support
• Help maintain and improve HR infrastructure, workflows, and system functionality
• Support process and system efficiencies that keep our workforce running smoothly
We’re Looking for Someone Who:
• Is detail-oriented and tech-savvy, with a strong focus on data accuracy
• Thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with evolving priorities
• Is motivated to support impactful public sector work
• Enjoys working with data, systems, and problem-solving
About the Department
The Human Resources Department leads the City in fostering positive employee relations, talent management, succession planning, and employee engagement, while supporting workplace safety and employee well-being.
As part of an organization known as the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley,” the HR team supports a workforce that delivers a full range of municipal services-from utilities and infrastructure to public safety, libraries, and community spaces. In a city recognized for innovation, operational excellence, and a AAA bond rating, Human Resources serves as a strategic partner in building and sustaining a high-performing organization.
We are committed to recruiting, developing, and retaining a diverse, highly qualified workforce that reflects the high standards and forward-thinking spirit of the Palo Alto community-leveraging systems, data, and technology to continuously improve how we support our workforce.
Duties
Responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Prepares, processes, distributes, and maintains a variety of personnel records, documents, files, logs, and status changes
• Responds to requests for information from employees and the public via phone, in person, and email
• Enters and maintains data in HR systems; compiles data, performs analysis, and prepares reports and correspondence
• Provides research assistance in areas such as employee relations, training, benefits, occupational health and safety, and communications
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level
Desired Qualifications
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS)
• Experience organizing and maintaining electronic personnel files
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel), including formulas, logic, and data analysis
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:
• Human resources principles, procedures, and practices
• Customer service principles
• Recordkeeping principles and practices
• Modern office practices and equipment
Ability to:
• Use computers and related software applications, including HRIS and databases
• Prepare reports and analyze data with accuracy and attention to detail
• Compile, organize, and review information based on established criteria
• Provide excellent customer service
• Maintain confidentiality
• Communicate effectively with coworkers, supervisors, and the public
If you’re excited to contribute to meaningful work and support the systems behind a high-performing organization, we encourage you to apply. Join us in shaping how we support our workforce through data, systems, and innovation.
Supplemental Information
The Selection Process:- Applicants will receive recruitment status notifications via email. Governmentjobs.com account also has notification status updates.
- Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process and highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time after the posting closes.
- The screening process for this position typically may include a virtual recorded interview and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.
Our online application system is provided byNeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contactNeoGov'sLive Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
This is a non-benefited position.
Closing Date/Time: 4/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific - Applicants will receive recruitment status notifications via email. Governmentjobs.com account also has notification status updates.
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ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Palo Alto
Show moreThe Community
The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. The community's treelined streets and historic buildings reflect its California heritage, and, at the same time, many world-class businesses maintain or started offices here, such as Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Amazon, Broadcom, Hewlett-Packard, Houzz, Rivian, SAP and SAP Ariba, Tesla, and Varian Medical Systems. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the start-up capital of the world. Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community's dedication to lifelong learning. Stanford's cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City's exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public-school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation. Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy featuring premium shopping and dining options. Excellent healthcare facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are some of the community's incredibly desirable and cherished amenities. To learn more, visit https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/City-Manager/Latest-NewsCity Government
Palo Alto is a full-service charter city with a council-manager form of government. The seven-member City Council is elected at large, and the City Council annually selects the Mayor and Vice Mayor from among its members. The Mayor and City Council appoint the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, and City Auditor. The City Manager is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the City. Palo Alto is organized into 15 departments/offices with 1,093.10 authorized positions in FY 2025. There is also a FY 2025 capital budget of $316.2 million. Palo Alto owns and operates its own utilities, including electricity (carbon-neutral), gas, water, wastewater, and an expanding fiber network. This dynamic municipal environment ensures an ever-engaging platform for unique problem-solving and advances new initiatives, including sustainability, broadband, and effective service delivery. Community assets also include five libraries, 36 parks, five community centers, a museum and zoo, youth centers, a general aviation airport, an 18-hole golf course, a regional water treatment plant, and wildland open space preserves at the San Francisco Bay and in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains offering 41 miles of walking/biking trails in addition to its police, fire, and ambulance services. Palo Alto has long been a leader in sustainability, and the City's ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals are part of what sets it apart. Since the City's first Climate Protection Plan was passed in 2007, Palo Alto has set goals that exceed State and Federal targets. Today, the City's goal to reduce emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 (the "80x30" goal) and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 guides sustainability efforts. An award-winning City, Palo Alto is recognized nationally as innovative and well-managed. City services and performance also receive impressive marks from community members in the Palo Alto Community Survey.
Many of those ratings put City programs and services in the highest percentiles among the hundreds of benchmark cities. Palo Alto makes decisions through comprehensive processes and proactively seeks to involve its extremely informed, educated, and engaged residents. Projects are naturally a cooperative effort among the City Council, Boards, Commissions, Committees, engaged residents, neighborhoods, businesses, property owners, and staff.
Join an Award Winning Team
Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government. We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.
Want to learn more about our benefits? Learn more by reviewing our "Benefits at a Glance Booklet."
Contact Us
Phone: 650-329-2376
Email: Recruit@paloalto.gov
Location: City Hall, 1st Floor | 250 Hamilton Ave 94301 | View Map
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