-
Job Description
DESCRIPTION
Appointment to this position is expected to be at or below the midpoint ($146,451) of the salary range, however, the final amount will be carefully determined based on the candidate's knowledge, skills, qualifications, and an evaluation of internal equity within the organization.
The City of Long Beach, California, is seeking a skilled and forward-thinking Human Resources Officer (HRO) to lead the City’s newly established Classification & Compensation Division within the Human Resources Department. This brand-new position presents an exciting opportunity to modernize and centralize classification & compensation practices, ensuring competitive pay within City parameters, career progression, and workforce alignment across all City departments. Reporting to the Manager of Administration, the HRO will oversee a growing team of analysts and play a pivotal role in developing a structured classification & compensation program that supports the City’s workforce needs. With a focus on innovation, and strategic workforce planning, this role will drive critical projects such as overseeing classification & compensation studies, supporting labor negotiated studies, the development of a comprehensive classification & compensation structure, and modernization of outdated classification specifications. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in public sector classification & compensation, a strategic mindset, and the ability to navigate the complexities of a unionized municipal environment.
If you are a strategic HR leader with deep technical classification & compensation expertise, public-sector experience, and a passion for project management and modernization, we encourage you to apply!
See the full recruitment brochure here: https://irp.cdn-website.com/80f4e9b5/files/uploaded/2025_HRO_CC_LB.pdf
THE HR DEPARTMENT
The HR Department (Department) plays a critical role in supporting the City’s mission by attracting, developing, and retaining a talented and diverse workforce. Measure JB , which was approved by voters in November 2024, will fully integrate the Civil Service Department within the HR Department in 2025. The integrated Department operates with approximately 111 staff and an annual FY25 budget of $49.1M. The Department includes seven bureaus comprised of: Administration, City Safety, Labor Relations, Personnel Operations, Talent Management, Risk & Occupational Health Services, and Systems Management. The Department partners with all other City departments to ensure alignment with strategic objectives and community needs, fostering an organizational culture of collaboration and high performance.- Department Mission, Vision & Guiding Principles
- Department Website
The Classification & Compensation Team
The HR Department’s Administration Bureau is looking to develop a team solely dedicated to a creating a modernized and efficient Classification & Compensation Program . This team will be responsible for developing a structured classification & compensation program, providing guidance to departments, and ensuring that classification structures, competitive pay within City parameters, and job specifications are updated, relevant, and sustainable. The immediate need will include managing a backlog of requested classification/ compensation studies, coordinating completion of a contracted classification and compensation project, and proactively working to improve procedures and efficiency in the City’s job classification system.
Key upcoming projects & initiatives include:- Develop and manage the City’s Centralized Classification & Compensation Program.
- $500k Classification & Compensation Study Project: Oversee the implementation of a large-scale classification & compensation study to update outdated classifications, which may include managing outside consultants.
- Explore and Adopt Innovative Solutions for Class Spec Revisions: Identify ways to leverage technology to improve efficiency in classification & compensation processes.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
THE POSITION
The Human Resources Officer - Classification & Compensation (HRO) will be a pivotal member of the HR Department’s Administration Bureau, reporting directly to the Manager of Administration. With two direct reports currently, the HRO will be responsible for building and leading a dedicated classification & compensation team that will work closely not only with the Department’s Administration and Talent Management Bureaus, but all City departments.
This role will oversee job analysis and classification processes, ensuring that job descriptions and salary structures are current, equitable, and aligned with the City’s workforce needs. The HRO will implement a citywide compensation structure, develop classification structures that identify reporting relationships and job families, and provide departments with clear processes for submitting and managing classification & compensation requests. Additionally, the HRO will work closely with department heads, labor teams, and executives to ensure consistency in classification standards, manage stakeholder expectations, and establish a structured update cycle for classification specs, many of which have not been updated in decades. By fostering proactive relationships and streamlining processes, the HRO will play a key role in modernizing the City's approach to classification and compensation.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is an experienced HR leader with a strong background in public sector classification & compensation, job analysis, and workforce planning. They must have successfully developed and implemented classification & compensation programs, navigated politically sensitive HR changes, and worked within the complexities of public sector processes, ideally in a unionized environment. This is a working manager role—someone who understands the nuances of government operations, can effectively collaborate with labor groups and department leaders, and is capable of rolling up their sleeves to guide their team while delivering meaningful, structured results.
REQUIREMENTS TO FILE
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS- Education: Bachelor’s degree in related field.
- Experience: Three years of increasingly responsible experience in human resources, which includes overseeing classification and/ or compensation matters with one of those years in a supervisory or lead capacity.
DESIRED- Education: Master’s degree
- Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), Global Remuneration Professional (GRP), or other relevant professional certification
- Experience working in a unionized public sector environment
- Experience with workforce and succession planning
SUBSTITUTIONS- Education may be substituted for lengthy experience and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis
SALARY AND BENEFITS
An annual salary of $121,200 - $171,702* DOE/DOQ (*appointments usually take place at mid-point $146,451 ) , plus a generous benefits package.
See the full recruitment brochure here: https://irp.cdn-website.com/80f4e9b5/files/uploaded/2025_HRO_CC_LB.pdf
SELECTION PROCEDURE
HOW TO APPLY: For first consideration, apply by April 18, 2025, at: https://www.tristargovsolutions.com/careers
SAVE THE DATES: Interviews have been firmly scheduled to take place in-person on May 8th and May 9th. Candidates must be available for both interview dates.
QUESTIONS? Please contact your recruiter, Sam Sackman, with any questions:- Email: sam@tristargovsolutions.com
- Website: www.tristargovsolutions.com
- Phone: 408-605-0790
The City of Long Beach offers its employees opportunities to grow personally and professionally.As a permanent employee, you are eligible to receive fringe benefits that include:
Retirement:California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) defined benefit retirement plan, which is coordinated with Social Security. The benefit is 2.5% or 2.7% (depending on hire date) @55 for "Classic" members and 2% @62 for new members as defined by PEPRA, subject to the compensation limitations set by PERS. Both the City and the employee contributes toward CalPERS retirement contributions. The city also participates in Social Security.
Health and Dental Insurance:The City offers the choice of HMO and PPO plans. The city pays major portion of the premium for employee and dependents depending on the health/ dental plan selected.
Life Insurance:City-paid term life insurance policy equal to three (3) times annual salary to a maximum of $500,000.
Disability Insurance:City-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance.
Management Physical:Annual City-paid physical examination.
Vacation:Twelve (12) vacation days after the first year of service; 15 days after four years, six months of service; 20 days after 19 years, six months of service.
Executive Leave:Forty (40) hours Executive Leave per year. The City Manager has discretion to grant an additional 40 hours each year.
Sick Leave: One day earned per month; unlimited accumulation; conversion upon retirement to cash credit toward health and/or dental insurance premiums, or to pension credits.
Holidays:Eleven (11) designated holidays per year, plus four personal holidays to be used at the employee's discretion.
Transportation Allowance:Monthly allowance is allocated by classifications below;- Department Head $650.00
- Deputy Director/Manager/Director (Harbor/Utilities) $550.00
- Division Officer/Superintendent/ Chief of Staff / Administrator / Principal DCA $450.00
- Assistant to Executive / Executive Assistant / Executive Secretary/ Executive Support Staff $300.00
- Classic CalPERS Members: The City will contribute a maximum of up to two percent (2%) of base salary* for all qualified Classic CalPERS members.
- Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) CalPERS Members: Effective the second full pay period following City Council adoption, the City contribution will increase from two percent (2%) to three percent (3%) of base salary* for all qualified PEPRA CalPERS members.
Flexible/Hybrid Work Schedule:Available (subject to City Manager approval).
Paid Parental Leave: The City provides one hundred and sixty (160) hours of Paid Parental Leave at 100% of salary, for the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child, regardless of the gender, marital status or sexual orientation of the parent.
Closing Date/Time: 4/18/2025 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
-
-
City of Long Beach
Show moreGreat weather, award winning parks, exciting and entertaining downtown, diverse communities, and affordable housing are some of the reasons the City of Long Beach is a great place to work. See for yourself by visiting our guide to visitors and residents pages.
The City of Long Beach employs over 5,300 employees and has over 500 job positions. Positions range from entry level to professional, high skilled. Positions are classified or unclassified. Given the number of positions, employees have a variety of career paths to choose from. In addition, the City provides career guidance, mentoring and career ladders for planning a career with the City.
-