Human Resources Technician (Internal)

About the Department

The current vacancy is for Human Resources Technician in the Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) and Benefits division of the Human Resources Department. This recruitment is open to City of Santa Cruz current regular and temporary employees. As an Internal recruitment, the list established from this recruitment is valid only for the current vacancy listed above.

The Human Resources Technician is a key position in the HRIS and Benefits Division of the Human Resources Department. This role is at the center of keeping our human resources information systems running smoothly. A primary focus is reviewing, verifying, and entering personnel action forms with accuracy and care. The work includes processing employee changes such as hires, promotions, terminations, and pay adjustments, maintaining confidential records, and supporting benefits-related processes. The HR Technician is also a key resource for employee questions and transaction support. This position will dedicate approximately 50% of their time to supporting the City's new Human Capital Management (HCM) system. Responsibilities will include documenting new processes and preparing to train City employees ahead of the system’s go-live date.

Recruitment #26-066

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• On Thursday, 05/21/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:

1. Application- online application preferred; paper application accepted. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out application form completely.
2. Response to supplemental questions- will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Weeks of 05/25 and 06/01/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status on the recruitment and qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an online skills assessment by 05/26/26. Candidates must participate and pass the skills assessment to be considered for interview. Employees currently in the classification will not be required to retest. Candidates will be notified of their results by 06/03/26. 
• Weeks of 06/08 and/or 06/15/26: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. 

Position Duties

(Duties may include, but are not limited to the following):

• Designs and maintains various record keeping systems and prepares technical reports; independently completes special projects and assignments of a technical nature.
• Serves as a resource and provides information to the public, other agencies and City staff; interprets a variety of policies, rules and regulations.
• Acts as a lead worker to and trains assigned clerical staff; coordinates and monitors work assignments; provides input on employee evaluations.
• Assists in the coordination of various human resources functions, such as the Department of Transportation commercial driver testing process, the Department of Motor Vehicles Pull System process and the Department of Justice fingerprinting process.
• Verifies personnel action documents related to employee status changes and inputs data into the Human Resources Information System.
• Develops and revises human resources documents, procedures and forms; assists in the development of policies, rules and procedures.
• Formats and updates department webpages; uploads documents.
• Assists Human Resources Analysts in researching and assembling information for classification and compensation studies; assists in the maintenance of classification and compensation plans; conducts and responds to salary and benefit surveys.
• Performs a variety of general office support duties; composes, types and proofreads letters and other documents; maintains computer and manual files and records; answers telephone and in-person inquiries; prepares periodic and special reports; provides back-up reception and clerical support as needed.
• May coordinate meetings and secure meeting rooms.
• May serve as the Human Resources Department representative on committees and task forces and may serve as the Department Technology Coordinator (DTC).
• May assist in the planning and coordination of the City-wide employee training program, including the development of brochures and training materials and the development and dissemination of the City-wide training calendar, and the management of the training database. 
• May perform any of the Human Resources Technician and Administrative Assistant II tasks as assigned.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

If assigned to Recruitment and Selection:

• Assists in the planning and coordination of the City’s recruitment and selection processes; consults with department personnel to develop recruitment strategies and selection procedures for more routine recruitments; prepares job announcements and advertisements; performs application screening; coordinates testing processes; develops supplemental questionnaires subject to final review; instructs, advises and monitors exam raters on selection and testing methods; and proctors exam processes.
• Acts as primary administrator of the online application system; devises scoring methods of applicants from separate stages of testing; assembles, maintains and certifies employment lists in accordance with personnel rules and regulations.
• Coordinates the dispersal of information to applicants including job openings, the application process, testing, scores and final selections.
• Corresponds with applicants to discuss test preparation, test results, and applicant status; assists in conducting employee training sessions related to recruitment and selection; and participates in job fairs.
• Verifies correct salary on regular new hire personnel action forms (PAF) and submits the job offer letter to regular new hired employees. 
• Coordinates regular new hire pre-employment medical and fingerprinting processing.

If assigned to Benefits:

• Provides information on employee benefits to employees; conducts new employee benefits orientation; prepares, processes and coordinates benefit enrollment and flexible spending account forms; initiates and distributes COBRA notices, maintains related documentation; updates and maintains confidential employee records and files.
• Consults with vendors and benefit plan administrators regarding program and on-going administration issues; audits benefit eligibility reports; reconciles and processes invoices for payment; researches, analyzes and interprets payroll data regarding benefit enrollments.
• Assists Human Resources Analysts with planning, developing, organizing, implementing, reviewing and administering benefit and workers’ compensation plans; processes workers’ compensation claims, verifies claim information with City staff, and files claims with the third-party administrator.
• Provides administrative support for the City’s leave of absence program.

If assigned to the Human Resources Information System (HRIS):

• Acts as the administrator of the computerized HRIS system; provides technical assistance for HRIS network maintenance by adding or deleting users and retaining system security; troubleshoots basic user technical problems and provides training to users; evaluates and recommends setup, design and functionality for users; recommends new or modified system enhancements to meet changing requirements.
• Verifies payroll action documents related to various employee status changes for accuracy and compliance with applicable policies and procedures and inputs data into the automated human resources system.
• Maintains position control and compensation plan; compiles statistical information and prepares reports related to payroll, position classification, position control, compensation, training and equal opportunity employment utilizing the HRIS system.
• Develops, recommends and oversees the implementation of procedures and systems related to employment action processing; assists with the development and implementation of training programs related to the HRIS system.
• Responds to unemployment claims in a timely and accurate manner; ensures that claims are processed for payment within deadlines.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires far vision and near vision in reading written reports and work related documents. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds also is required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

• High school graduation or tested equivalent and 
• Two years of increasingly responsible human resources related office support or technical experience, including one year of experience related to the area of assignment.

Knowledge:

• Basic principles and practices of human resources administration related to the area of assignment, such as recruitment and selection, workers’ compensation, human resources information systems and/or insurance and benefit administration.
• Office practices, methods and equipment, including a computer, word processing applications and applicable software.
• Methods and techniques for report preparation and writing; proper grammar and spelling.
• Data management and record keeping techniques.
• Basic mathematic principles.

Abilities:

• Learn more complex principles, practices, techniques and regulations pertaining to assigned duties.
• Interpret, explain and apply applicable policies, procedures, laws, codes and regulations.
• Analyze personnel issues, and develop and make recommendations for appropriate action.
• Make sound decisions within established guidelines.
• Efficiently coordinate multiple projects under the pressure of deadlines.
• Act as a lead worker and train assigned support staff.
• Organize, prioritize and follow-up on work assignments.
• Learn and utilize computer software related to area of assignment; troubleshoot and resolve technical database issues.
• Read, interpret and record a variety of data, including data related to testing, personnel actions, payroll and/or benefits.
• Compute exam scores and learn basic methods and techniques of statistical analysis of test instruments, if assigned to Recruitment and Selection.
• Follow written and oral directions.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Work independently and as a team member.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.

Licenses and Certificates

• N/A

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Public sector human resources experience.
• Experience using computer software to create tables, graphs and spreadsheets.
• Experience using computer software related to area of assignment.
• The ability to speak, read and write Spanish. 

Other Qualifications

• Human Resources Director
• Principal Human Resources Analyst
• Human Resources Analyst I/II
• Human Resources Technician
• Administrative Assistant II (HR)