Assistant Human Resources Manager

Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 10:00 AM

About Paso Robles

Nestled in the heart of California’s scenic Central Coast, Paso Robles—short for El Paso de Robles, or “The Pass of the Oaks”—offers a unique blend of small-town charm, natural beauty, and modern opportunity. Originally founded around its famous mineral hot springs and rich agricultural heritage, Paso Robles has grown into a dynamic and thriving community. The region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm, sunny days and cool evenings, ideal for both outdoor living and agricultural innovation. With its rolling hills, majestic oak trees, and panoramic vineyard views, Paso Robles provides a truly inspiring setting for work and life.

Paso Robles’ central location within San Luis Obispo County offers residents easy access to a wide array of cultural, educational, and recreational attractions. Just a short 30-minute drive south lies California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), a nationally ranked institution known for its hands-on learning and innovation. This proximity fosters strong connections to cutting-edge research, continuing education, and a highly educated talent pool. To the west, scenic Highway 1 leads to the iconic Hearst Castle in San Simeon, a historic landmark that draws visitors from around the world with its stunning architecture and sweeping coastal views. Within the county, residents can also enjoy the vibrant coastal towns of Morro Bay, Cambria, and Pismo Beach, as well as the eclectic energy of downtown San Luis Obispo. From wine tasting and hiking to art galleries, surf spots, and farmers’ markets, San Luis Obispo County offers an exceptional quality of life. 

Today, Paso Robles is best known as a premier wine region, home to over 200 wineries producing world-class Zinfandels, Cabernet Sauvignons, and Rhône varietals. But wine is just the beginning. The city boasts a vibrant downtown filled with boutique shopping, award-winning restaurants, and a bourgeoning local arts scene. Cultural highlights include the Paso Robles Wine Festival, California Mid-State Fair, and a variety of community events that bring residents together year-round. A wide array of housing options, good schools, a welcoming business environment, and proximity to outdoor destinations make it an ideal place to live and work. Whether you’re a young professional, a growing family, or someone looking to make a lifestyle change, the City of Paso Robles offers the perfect balance of opportunity, community, and California charm. 

The Organization

The City of Paso Robles was incorporated in 1889 as a general law city and operates under the Council-Manager form of government. As of January 1, 2025, the City's population has grown to approximately 31,061, reflecting consistent growth over recent years as more residents are drawn to the City's high quality of life, strong community identity, and comprehensive municipal services.

The City is a full-service municipality, meaning it provides a wide range of essential public services directly to its residents. These include police and fire protection, emergency medical response, water and wastewater utilities, parks and recreation, planning and development services, public works, and community enrichment programs. The City is committed to delivering responsive, effective, and efficient services that enhance the well-being of its residents and support a safe, sustainable, and vibrant community.

The governing body consists of a five-member City Council: the Mayor, elected at large by the voters of the City; and four Councilmembers elected by district. Voters also elect one City Treasurer at-large. All six elected positions are non-partisan. The City Manager, appointed by the City Council, serves as the Chief Executive Officer and is authorized to appoint all non-elected employees, with the exception of the City Attorney.

The City operates with a total annual budget of $145.7 million for fiscal year 2025-26 and employs 314.44 full-time equivalent positions across the departments of Administrative Services, City Manager’s Office, Community Development, Community Services, Fire and Emergency Services, Police, Public Works, and Utilities. The Human Resources Division is comprised of a Human Resources/Risk Manager, the newly created position of Assistant Human Resources Manager, and a strong team of three Human Resources Specialists and a Payroll/Risk Coordinator.

• Assists with establishing division goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and priorities.
• Participates in the planning, oversight, and administration of the daily functions, operations, and activities of division programs. 
• Assists with the management and oversight of the City's multi-tiered employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability plans; employee assistance program; flexible spending accounts; voluntary benefits; section 125 plan; Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act; CalPERS retirement; and 457 deferred compensation plan; directs ongoing administration, including coordination of enrollments, deletions, and changes in coverage. 
• Performs job analyses and classification studies of new and existing positions, develops and maintains classification specifications, makes recommendations, and participates in the implementation and administration of compensation and classification plans.

• Oversees the day-to-day administration of the City’s Human Resource Information System, reviews personnel transactions, ensures accurate implementation and maintenance of pay and benefit changes, interprets policies, directs the processing and maintenance of personnel records, and audits data to ensure accuracy. 

• Assists with the oversight of reporting for a variety of programs such as CalPERS, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEO-4), Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Social Security, California Occupational Health and Safety Administration (Cal/OSHA), and underwriting of all insurance policies. 
• Oversees the leave of absence and return to work programs ensuring compliance with applicable laws such as the Family and Medical Leave Act, California Family Rights Act, Pregnancy Disability Leave, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Fair Employment and Housing Act; conducts interactive process meetings; assists with CalPERS disability and industrial disability retirement applications; and handles escalated claims as needed.
• Develops and implements sound recruitment, testing, and selection processes, including evaluation of recruitment materials and sources; selection and placement of all full-time, part-time, and temporary employees; and oversight of post-offer pre-employment steps, such as medical evaluations, Department of Transportation clearances, and background checks. 
• Coordinates the City's training activities, including Cal/OSHA compliance, safety, and staff development; identifies training needs and ensures that the City's needs and expectations are addressed.
• Participates in the development and implementation of City-wide personnel policies, practices, and procedures and safety programs. 
• Provides assistance with the City's risk management functions, including administration of tort claims filed against the City and claims filed against third parties; evaluates exposures; coordinates investigation of liability claims and opportunities for subrogation; and confers with insurance company representatives, third-party administrators, and attorneys.
• Assists with the management of the property and casualty insurance programs, including the filing and resolution of claims.
• Serves as a contractual risk transfer and insurance review resource to staff; ensures contracts, leases, and purchase documents contain proper indemnification clauses, insurance provisions, and other conditions that could cause loss or exposure.
• Surveys City facilities, programs, and operations to determine hazards, liability potential, and insurable risks; collaborates with representatives of the City’s insurance pool and City staff to evaluate and correct deficiencies in a timely manner.
• Coordinates the self-insured workers' compensation program; processes and monitors insurance claims; provides information to claimants, attorneys, and the workers' compensation carrier; assists employees in resolving issues related to workers' compensation, safety, and health; and evaluates loss reports and workers compensation experience for consideration of training, policies, and procedures to prevent future occurrences. 
• Develops and participates in employee relations activities; provides advice and counsel to department directors, managers, supervisors, and employees in the interpretation of human resources laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and compliance with memorandums of understanding; explains program provisions, procedures, and eligibility requirements. 
• Provides analytical and strategic support for labor relations matters; prepares labor relations documents and drafts contract language; and participates in and leads meet-and-confer sessions with employee groups. 
• Maintains and optimizes programs, such as the City’s Human Resources Information System and applicant tracking system; drives ongoing process improvement and enhancements to align with evolving business and operational needs; research, recommend, and serve as project manager for the implementation of new programs.
• Supervises, trains, coaches, and evaluates division staff; establishes and monitors employee performance objectives and addresses performance issues; assigns work activities, projects, and programs; and participates in the hiring of staff. 
• Monitors and analyzes changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect operations and procedures in the fields of human resources and payroll administration; analyzes trends and recommends revisions to procedures as needed to meet new or anticipated regulations. 

• Prepares or oversees preparation of information, reports, and statistical analyses for negotiations, meet and confer sessions, and City Council meetings. 

• May conduct confidential personnel investigations or investigate grievances and other complaints.

• Performs related duties within the scope of this job classification as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of human resources, risk management, and payroll administration in a public agency setting, including recruitment and selection, equal employment opportunity, job analysis and classification, compensation analysis and administration, benefits administration, the Fair Labor Standards Act, workers' compensation, employee and labor relations, and the interpretation of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Administrative principles and practices including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, and project management.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to City staff and customers. 
• Principles of employment law and its applicability to public-sector human resources management and administration. 
• Records management principles and practices. 
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures. 
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with bargaining groups, third-party administrators, attorneys, insurance and benefit program managers, governmental agencies, employees, and the public.
• Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations relating to public-sector human resources and payroll administration.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.

Ability to:

• Effectively execute, plan, develop, coordinate, and implement a variety of multi-faceted human resources programs with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy. 
• Understand, interpret, and apply complex legislation, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. 
• Collaborate and oversee the work of third-party administrators, adjustors, and consultants in various areas of specialty. 
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines. 
• Effectively plan, organize, schedule, assign, review, and evaluate the work of staff.
• Work in a team atmosphere and participate in a variety of departmental and City-wide programs to enhance the provisions of City services.
• Prepare clear, concise, and effective reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Effectively organize own work, set priorities, and deliver a superior work product under critical and time sensitive deadlines.
• Conduct compelling and intelligible presentations of complex materials to a range of audiences. 
• Provide effective counsel to other City operating departments regarding issues of human resources management, employee relations, and employment law. 
• Conduct complex research projects on a wide variety of human resources topics, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Evaluate and investigate claims and make sound recommendations within policy and procedural guidelines.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive personal information of applicants, employees, former employees, and other matters affecting employee relations.
• Establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including community leaders, public officials, City staff, and the public.

Human Relations and Communications Skills

Regular contact with persons of importance and influence involving considerable tact, discretion, and persuasion.

Analytical Skills and Complexity

Considerable analytical ability is needed to select, evaluate, and interpret data from several sources; interpretation of guidelines, policies, and procedures is required.

Education and Experience:

A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in human resources, business administration, public administration, or a related field; and
• Five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in human resources administration. 

Supervisory and public sector experience are highly desirable.

Licenses and Certifications

Requires the possession and maintenance of a valid California Class C driver license and a satisfactory driving record.

Other Requirements

Attendance at off-hours meetings is required. 

All persons employed by the City of Paso Robles are designated as "Disaster Service Workers" as defined in the California Government Code Section 3100 and 3101.

The City of Paso Robles provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract.