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THE COMMUNITY

The City of Menlo Park is a thriving community with tree-lined neighborhoods, active commercial areas, spaces to enjoy the outdoors, and opportunities to engage in local activities. Located conveniently between the major metropolitan areas of San Francisco and San Jose, Menlo Park is home to just under 34,000 residents in its 19 square miles. The stunning natural surroundings of the city afford views of the San Francisco Bay to the east and the Pacific Coastal Range to the west.

Located in the heart of Menlo Park is a downtown featuring unique and upscale shops, restaurants, and entertainment, including the Guild Theatre. Set in a pleasant, pedestrian-oriented atmosphere, Menlo Park’s downtown area attracts locals and visitors alike. The Menlo Park Caltrain station also provides a convenient connection to the numerous arts and leisure activities in the San Francisco and San Jose areas.

As home to numerous venture capital firms and neighbor to Stanford University, Menlo Park is well situated to benefit from and help shape new technologies and innovations originating from Silicon Valley. The city hosts such major employers as Meta, SRI International, Pacific Biosciences, Grail, and Exponent.

THE ORGANIZATION

Incorporated in 1927, Menlo Park is a General Law city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. The City Council is the City's five-member governing body whose members are elected by district to four-year overlapping terms in general municipal elections. The Mayor and Vice Mayor are selected by the City Council to serve one-year terms, rotating each December. The City Council appoints the City Manager and City Attorney, as well as members of the City’s seven commissions, and the City Manager appoints all executive and management positions. City staff report to one of six departments: the City Manager’s Office, Administrative Services, Community Development, Library and Community Services, Police, and Public Works, which includes Menlo Park Municipal Water. Fire protection and sanitary services are provided by separate special districts. The City is supported by approximately 297 full-time equivalent employees and a total expenditure budget of $235 million.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Administrative Services Department is a department of nearly 30 staff in Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology. The department plays a vital role in supporting the City’s day-to-day operations by delivering essential internal services and ensuring the organization is well equipped to provide exceptional services to the community.

VALUES

In Administrative Services, we believe in the power of teamwork and that how we get our work done is as important as getting it done. The Department's values guide how we behave as a team each day, ensuring we act with:

• Humility – Sharing credit and defining success collectively rather than individually, jumping in to help where needed, and putting the needs of the team ahead of our own self-interest.
• Emotional Intelligence – Understanding the impact that our words and actions have on one another, knowing when to listen and when to share our perspective, and striving to include everyone by respecting, listening to, helping, and appreciating one another.
• Passion – Showing initiative and enthusiasm in our work, delivering outstanding, data-based results, and having a can-do, find-a-way attitude.
• Integrity – Doing what we say we are going to do, communicating clearly and openly, and holding ourselves accountable for the work we do in our respective roles.

THE POSITION

The Human Resources Manager is a key management position at the City. This individual plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of Human Resources, working collaboratively with the Administrative Services Director and management staff across the City. It is essential that this position is responsive to all customers and takes a proactive approach to building relationships throughout the organization, recognizing the value and unique contributions made by each and every employee. This individual serves as the main point of contact on employee relations matters and leads labor relations for the City’s five unions (general employees, supervisors and mid-management, police officers, police sergeants, and temporary employees), along with the confidential and unrepresented management groups. This position leads highly-complex projects; conducts a variety of organizational and operational studies and investigations; and prepares and presents staff reports, policies, and other correspondence for the City Council and all employees. The Human Resources Manager leads a staff of five, comprised of three Management Analysts and two Human Resources Technicians, to accomplish a wide variety of daily tasks, policy and labor agreement administration, and process improvements, and is responsible for interpreting and complying with the various regulatory requirements from Federal, State, and local agencies.

The selected candidate will have the opportunity to work on the following upcoming projects:

• Manage projects currently underway that involve collaborating with employees at all levels of the organization, including the citywide classification and compensation study and the employee engagement survey.
• Retool several division functions, including performance management, recruitment, selection and retention processes, leave programs, and workers' compensation leave administration.
• Promote employee engagement and performance management through enhanced training programs and citywide recognition events and other initiatives identified through the engagement survey analysis.
• Continue to manage and develop content for the popular “HR Bits and Bites” trainings, where supervisors and managers connect with Human Resources and one another for development and relationship-building over snacks.
• Train and develop Human Resources staff to form a cohesive team equipped to succeed.
• Review and update policies and practices to ensure compliance with employment laws.

Open Until Filled-Apply Immediately

Interviews: TBD

Resumes are not accepted in lieu of completing a city application.

DEFINITION
Under general direction, performs complex and responsible technical and clerical work for the Director of Human Resources and as administrative support to the City's Human Resources Department. Completes related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
An incumbent in this position is a Human Resources generalist performing a wide range of personnel assignments in administering and processing health and welfare benefits; managing the administrative duties associated with the Personnel Board and overseeing the preparation and management of all employee requisition and action forms; managing the office and providing administrative support to the Director of Human Resources, Assistant to the Director of Human Resources, Senior Management Analyst, the Human Resources Analyst(s) and Human Resources Specialist(s).

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Including but not limited to maintaining frequent, sensitive and critical contacts with public and private agencies, other departments, professionals and officials; transmits information, decisions and directives. Answers inquiries by phone or email; investigates and resolves complaints or provides information, explains departmental or City procedures; exercises judgment in giving information and proper disposition of problems; composes correspondence and prepares reports. Maintains and files employees' personnel records and other departmental records; provides information to employees regarding benefits. Screens telephone calls and visitors; receives, screens and routes incoming mail for appropriate action and follows up on its disposition; arranges for meetings and conferences and assists in providing material on information to be discussed. Interprets and apply rules and regulations of the classified service. Keeps abreast of pertinent information and changes in City procedures and regulations.

Prepares inter-office memoranda and requisition forms; elicits employee evaluation forms for all departments by preparing and transmitting initial forms. Manages performance appraisal forms for distribution in accordance with established procedures. Serves as Assistant for the Personnel Board, other related meetings, and disciplinary and appeal hearings by collecting, preparing, and sending agendas, taking and transcribing minutes, and typing and distributing minutes and other material. Processes and manages distribution retiree health reimbursement checks. Administers Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Pull Program, tracks employee driving records and issues quarterly department list of commercial drivers’ medical expirations. May assist in responding to internal and external surveys. May assist department personnel with data entry on applicant tracking program, proctoring Civil Service examinations, in administering certification of active Civil Service Employment Lists using applicant tracking program, and assists with City-wide events. Processes employee separations and cafeteria plan worksheets, enters employee information into ERP system, tracks employee trainings; and processes invoices.

Provides support to the Director of Human Resources, Assistant to the Director of Human Resources, Senior Management Analyst, Human Resources Analyst(s) and Human Resources Specialist(s). Administers the documentation requirements of the 1986 Immigration and Control Act. Prepares and processes required Human Resources’ forms, such as new employee forms and employee Action Forms. Assists with preparation and publication of the employee newsletter. Maintains and orders office supplies and other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Ability to: Communicates effectively both orally and in writing; speaks to and direct large groups; Interacts positively and cooperate with co-workers, responds politely to customers, works as a team member, functions under demanding time pressure, responds in a positive manner to supervision, attends work and perform duties on a regular and consistent basis. Understands and applies instructions, rules, regulations and policies including the City’s Rules and Regulations of the Classified Service; analyzes, processes and schedules detailed work accurately; learns, understands, and communicates employee benefit parameters and regulations, learns and uses Microsoft Office Suite applications, Human Resources Information System (HRIS), applicant tracking system and other City software programs. Transcribes proceedings at meetings of commissions, boards or special committees; exercises good judgment in matters of a confidential nature; works independently in absence of supervision.

Knowledge of: Appropriate English grammar and spelling; current office equipment and methods including operation of computer programs, including advanced, competent use of Microsoft Word; record keeping and organizational practices; basic arithmetic; and certain federal, state and municipal personnel regulations.

Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent and an Associate of Arts (AA) degree.

Experience: A minimum of two years of experience in administrative and Human Resources technical work that involved regular contact with the public.

License: Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License.