Job Details

Senior Human Resources Analyst

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.

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.