Human Resources Technician - HR Administration

HR Jobs; Oceanside (CA); On-site; USD 61,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Oceanside is seeking a Human Resources Technician to support high-volume HR administration on-site within the HR Department. You will manage records, payroll changes, benefits enrollment, onboarding, and training coordination to ensure smooth operations.

This role supports HR leadership, handles confidential information with discretion, and collaborates with staff and the public to maintain accurate HR data and compliant processes.

Qualifications

• Experience with municipal HR functions and payroll, benefits, and leave tracking.
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
• Strong data entry, reporting, and recordkeeping skills within HRIS systems.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local HR compliance and policies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for public and staff.

Responsibilities

• Maintain routine to complex HR records across benefits, payroll, and leave management.
• Process payroll changes and benefit elections; upload documents to electronic files.
• Serve as first point of contact for HR and assist receptionist duties as needed.
• Update performance evaluation data, generate overdue reports, and notify staff.
• Assist with onboarding and new hire orientations, salary entry, and enrollment changes.
• Coordinate training programs and track attendance for mandated trainings.
• Process leaves of absence (FMLA) and related disability paperwork.
• Assist multi-tier benefit administration including retirement and health plans.
• Audit invoices for health insurance and benefits; resolve deduction issues.
• Coordinate unemployment processes and act as EDD contact.
• Perform independent clerical tasks and prioritize workload.
• Maintain filing systems, mail handling, travel scheduling, and office supplies.
• Support supervision and training of clerical staff; ensure safety rules are followed.
• Observe City policies and participate in continuous process improvements.

Skills

Recordkeeping

Payroll knowledge

Leave tracking

HRIS experience

Communication skills

Discretion

Data entry

Public interaction

Education

HS Diploma with HR coursework

Associate degree substitution for experience

Bachelor's degree substitution for experience

HR Certification desirable

Tools

HRIS

Electronic personnel files

Payroll systems

Performance evaluation system

Job description

The City of Oceanside, CA is seeking a Human Resources Technician to support high-volume, complex, and confidential HR administration under general supervision. In this onsite role within the HR Department, you will help keep day-to-day HR operations running smoothly by managing records and transactions across benefits, classification and compensation, recruitment, training, performance management, and related clerical and fiscal documentation.

This position supports the HR Director and serves as a key resource for employees and internal partners, including answering questions, coordinating onboarding and training activities, and assisting with sensitive processes such as leave administration and unemployment claims.

Key Responsibilities

• Complete routine and complex recordkeeping and analytical tasks tied to employee recruitment, hiring, employee records, benefits and leave management, and payroll processing using computerized systems.
• Process payroll changes, employee benefit elections, and related transactions; scan and upload documents for electronic employee personnel files.
• Serve as a first point of contact for the HR Department by phone or in person and provide backup support to the department’s office receptionist as needed.
• Update position and supervisory changes in the performance evaluation system, add new employees, generate reports for overdue evaluations, and notify staff accordingly.
• Support new hire onboarding by entering salary and benefit enrollment coverage or changes into the HRIS database.
• Coordinate and participate in new hire orientations.
• Coordinate online and in-person training and training programs by sending invitations and reminders for mandated training, and tracking attendance.
• Process and track employee requests for leaves of absence (including FMLA) and related disability paperwork.
• Assist with multi-tier benefit administration, including retirement, long-term disability, health, life, dental, vision, deferred compensation, wellness, and employee assistance programs.
• Audit and process payments of invoices related to health insurance and benefits, resolving deduction and coverage issues.
• Coordinate online unemployment processes and administer unemployment claims; respond to claims and act as the point of contact for EDD.
• Perform difficult clerical and administrative work requiring independent judgment, including setting work priorities and selecting effective methods to complete assignments.
• Coordinate filing systems and other clerical procedures, including daily mail handling and delivery, scheduling travel and meeting appointments, purchasing and maintaining office supplies, processing invoices and purchase orders, and compiling routine report data.
• Assist with supervision, training, and evaluation of other clerical and support personnel, as directed.
• Observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Systems and Tools

• HRIS
• Electronic employee personnel files
• Computerized recordkeeping systems
• Performance evaluation system

Minimum Qualifications

• Basic principles and practices of human resources, payroll, benefit coordination, leave tracking, Workers’ Compensation, employee management, and accounting functions in a municipal setting.
• Working knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas.
• Human resources information technology applications for employee tracking and budgeting.
• City policies, procedures, personnel rules, and labor contract provisions related to recruitment, selection, classification, compensation, and benefits administration.
• Experience and ability to perform administrative and clerical support work accurately and with minimal supervision.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, handle frequent interruptions, and adapt to changing priorities while maintaining accurate records.
• Strong recordkeeping, business writing, and data collection/report-writing skills.
• Demonstrated discretion and tact when handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to enter and retrieve data in a computer system with sufficient speed and accuracy.
• Ability to establish and maintain filing, recordkeeping, and tracking systems, including independent work planning and prioritization.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Experience, Training, and Education

• Experience: Four (4) years of increasingly responsible administrative, clerical, benefits, payroll, or accounting experience, including frequent public contact and complex recordkeeping using specialized payroll and employee computer systems, HRIS, or benefits management.
• Education: Completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college level coursework in human resources management or public administration.
• Certificate in Human Resource Management through an accredited college, university, or HR Professional organization is highly desirable.
• An Associates Degree (60 semester or 90 quarter units) from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of experience.
• A Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field may substitute for two years of experience.
• Minimum experience threshold: 4 years.

License / Certificate

• Valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• Office environment with moderate noise and controlled temperature; no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
• May interact with upset staff and members of the public while interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
• Primarily sedentary with occasional standing and walking between work areas.
• Requires mobility to use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision for printed materials and computer screens; hearing and speech to communicate in person and by telephone.
• Needs finger dexterity to enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator.
• Occasionally bends, stoops, kneels, reaches, and pulls drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

Selection Process

• All properly completed applications are reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals are invited to continue.
• Failure to provide all required application materials results in disqualification.
• The process may include a written exam, oral interview, and/or skills assessment.
• Successful candidates are placed on an eligibility list and remain eligible for employment consideration for a minimum of six months.
• Applicants must successfully pass a live scan fingerprint and reference check (including employment verification), and a medical examination.
• A drug screen may be required.
• Resumes are not accepted in lieu of completed application forms but may be attached.
• Candidates who require a reasonable accommodation should state their needs in writing when submitting an application.
• The bulletin does not create an expressed or implied contract, and provisions may be modified or revoked without notice.

Recruitment Timeline

• Recruitment Closes: Friday, October 9, 2026 @ 11:59 P.M.
• Applicant Screening and Testing: By Friday, October 23, 2026
• Interview: Week of November 2, 2026
• Note: Dates and timeframes are subject to change.

Location: Oceanside, CA (onsite). Salary: USD 61,344 - 82,176 per year.