Human Resources Analyst

Socket.dev; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & dental coverage

401(k) with profit-sharing

Vacation time

Sick leave

Holidays

Bus passes for employees

Job summary

SB MTD in Santa Barbara is seeking a mission-driven HR Analyst to support HR programs, manage the ADP HRIS, and coordinate benefits, risk management, and training. You will recruit, onboard, and collaborate across departments to ensure compliant and efficient HR operations.

Ideal candidates have public agency HR experience, Spanish language skills, and a passion for community impact through safe, equitable transit services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HRM, Business Admin, Public Admin or related field.
• Or two years of progressively responsible experience in HR, risk management or related areas.
• Experience developing, validating, and maintaining accurate HRIS data.
• Proficient in Excel with VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH and pivot tables.

Responsibilities

• Respond to inquiries and provide information to employees, supervisors, applicants, and the public regarding HR programs and policies.
• Lead and enhance our ADP HRIS with daily input, configuration, and validation.
• Coach and mentor staff on HR duties and roles.
• Contribute to Risk Management through claim reviews, management, and reserves reports.
• Collaborate with departments on HR planning, recruitments, background checks, and onboarding.
• Coordinate administration of medical, dental, vision, life and other benefits.
• Plan and facilitate special events with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate federal and state required trainings for all staff.
• Foster a proactive Employer-of-Choice culture across the agency.

Skills

HRIS

Excel advanced functions

Recruitment

Training & Development

Risk Management

Public agency experience

Bilingual Spanish (preferred)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HRM/Business Admin/Public Admin/Industrial Psychology

Tools

ADP HRIS

Excel

Job description

Make an Impact. Lead with Purpose.

Are you a mission-driven generalist in Human Resources, ready to make a real difference in your community? SB MTD is recruiting a Human Resources Analyst in our Human Resources Department. Do you have a public agency HR background? Are you an HRIS professional (tell us about the different HRIS you’ve worked with – brag a little, it’s OK!) What about benefits administration, open enrollments, benefits reconciliation, and life insurance products – do you have experience working in those areas? Ever worked with Risk Management and property/casualty insurance coverages (workers compensation claims and/or general liability claims) – tell us about your experience. Event Planning? Yes, we like to celebrate our work anniversaries and employee birthdays each month, along with special events a few times per year – what’s your experience recognizing employee achievements? Work that matters and initiatives that support our mission: to provide safe, appealing, equitable, and environmentally responsible transit services to Santa Barbara’s South Coast.

What You'll Do:

• Respond to inquiries and provide information, guidance, and assistance to employees, supervisors, applicants, and the public regarding human resources programs, personnel rules, policies, procedures, and applicable labor agreements.

• Lead and enhance our ADP HRIS; daily input, configuration, and validation.
• Lead, perform, coach, and mentor other staff on all HR duties, functions, and roles.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of Risk Management principles, including participating in claim reviews, claim management, obtaining settlement authorizations when appropriate, and executing reserves reports.
• Collaborate with all Departments on Human Resource Planning, conduct recruitments, engage with applicants, coordinate background checks, and onboard.
• Coordinate the administration of employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and other benefit programs.
• Plan and facilitate special events; coordinate with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate all federal and state required training, for all agency employees.
• Help foster a proactive, engaged, and Employer-of-Choice culture across the agency.

What We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Industrial Psychology, and/or other related field from an accredited college or university.

• OR two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in human resources, risk management and/or related areas.
• Experience developing, validating, and maintaining accurate HRIS data.
• Proficient in Excel; ability to use advanced functions such as VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, and pivot tables.
• Recruitment, Selection, and Training and Development experience.
• Benefits Administration experience; understanding ofHIPPA, ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, CFRA, PDL, ADA, and other applicable compliance requirements.
• Risk Management experience; knowledge of Workers Compensation claims and general liability claims.
• Public Agency experience preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish (speak, read, write) preferred.
• Passion for public service and community impact.

Why Join SB MTD?

• Annual Salary Range: $94,132.32 – $117,665.40
• Low cost (employee contribution) monthly medical & dental coverage
• 401(k) and Profit-Sharing Plan - Employer 10% contribution (not a match—a full contribution!)
• 80 hours of Vacation, following one year of employment
• 80 hours of accrued Sick Leave
• 10 paid holidays, and 5 paid personal days (PDO)
• Free bus passes for employees and dependents
• A supportive, collaborative workplace that values innovation, initiative, and impact

Application review begins September 16, 2026 and is expected to close on October 5, 2026. Candidate review will be ongoing, submit your application, resume, supplemental responses, and cover letter ASAP for first consideration. The District may move forward with interviews via virtual format. Final interviews will be conducted in person at the SB MTD Administrative Office located at 550 Olive Street, Santa Barbara, CA.

DISCLAIMER

Position overview is not construed to be an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform any other job-related instructions as requested by their supervisor, department head or General Manager.

SELECTION PROCESS

All applications will be evaluated on their related work experience and education qualifications. MTD will invite the most qualified candidates to participate in an oral interview. MTD application must be fully completed and clearly show that the minimum requirements are met. Any questions on the application that are unanswered may cause you to be excluded from the selection process. All statements made on the application are subject to investigation and verification. Any invalid applications are subject to disqualification.

The selection process will include one or more of the following:

• Application Review
• Oral Interview
• Written Tests / Computer Skills Tests

PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS

The process includes a job specific pre-employment physical and drug screening under Department of Transportation regulations to be completed by an industrial health clinic of MTD’s choice, criminal background screen, and verification of employment. All offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of the pre-employment process.

IMMIGRATION AND CONTROL ACT OF 1986

In order to comply with the provision of this law, all applicants prior to placement, must provide proof of work eligibility and attest that they are a citizen, permanent resident alien, or otherwise authorized to be employed.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District has established a policy and practice of recruiting, hiring, training and promoting for all job classifications within MTD without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class or consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.