Human Resources Technician - HR Administration

City of Oceanside, CA; Oceanside (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Oceanside, CA invites applications for a journey-level Human Resources Technician - HR Administration to support benefits, payroll, and recruitment in a fast-paced municipal setting. You will work under supervision, handle confidential information, and use HRIS and payroll systems to maintain accurate records.

The role emphasizes independence, precise data entry, and coordinated onboarding, training administration, and responsive service to city employees and the public.

Qualifications

• Four years of increasingly responsible experience in administrative, payroll, or HR roles with complex recordkeeping.
• Completion of high school; college coursework in HR is desirable; a degree may substitute for experience as described.
• Experience with benefits administration, FMLA, and ERP HRIS systems is preferred.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Perform a high volume of HR administrative tasks including benefits, payroll, and leave management.
• Process payroll changes and benefit elections; manage HRIS records.
• Respond to employee and public inquiries; provide clerical support to HR Director.
• Coordinate onboarding, orientations, and mandatory training.
• Audit invoices related to health insurance and other benefits.

Skills

HRIS

Recordkeeping

Payroll processing

Benefits administration

Onboarding

Training coordination

Customer service

Data analysis

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in HR Management / Public Administration / related field

HR Certification (Desirable)

Tools

HRIS software

Payroll software

Job description

Empower Our Workforce, Elevate Your HR Career.

Are you a detail-oriented professional ready to take ownership of your HR career? We are seeking a journey-level HUMAN RESOURCES TECHNICIANN to handle complex, confidential, and high-volume operations across all Human Resources Administrative functions. In this role, you will exercise true independence, use your sharp judgment to solve unusual situations, and provide vital technical support to our management team.

Human Resources Technician - HR Administration

Under general supervision, the Human Resources Technician - HR Administration, performs a high volume of complex, difficult, and confidential benefits, classification and compensation, recruitment, training, performance management, clerical, fiscal, and recordkeeping work of a technical nature in support of the Human Resources Department operations and processes; responds to complex questions from City employees and the public regarding HR Administration functional areas; operates computerized systems (e.g. HRIS), including a broad range of recordkeeping functions; provides high-level technical and clerical assistance to the Human Resources Director; may supervise clerical staff and performs related duties as assigned.

Examples of duties performed by employees in this class may not include all required duties, nor are all listed tasks necessarily performed by everyone in this class.

• Performs a wide variety of routine and complex recordkeeping and analytical tasks related to employee recruitment, hiring, records, benefits and leave management, and payroll processing, utilizing computerized recordkeeping systems.
• Processes payroll changes, employee benefit elections, and related transactions; scans and uploads documents for electronic employee personnel files.
• May serve as the first point of contact for the Human Resources Department either on the phone or in person; and backup to the department’s office receptionist as required.
• Updates position and supervisory changes in the performance evaluation system; adds new employees to system; generates reports for overdue evaluations and notifies staff accordingly.
• Participates in the new hire onboarding process including entering salary and benefit enrollment coverage or changes into the HRIS database.
• Coordinates and participates in new hire orientations.
• Coordinates on-line and in person training and training programs; sends invitations and reminders to employees to attend mandated training; tracks attendance.
• Processes and tracks employee requests for leaves of absence (FMLA) and related disability paperwork.
• Assists in administering multi-tiered employee benefit programs that include plans such as retirement, long-term disability, health, life, dental, vision, deferred compensation, wellness and employee assistance programs
• Audits and processes payment of invoices related to health insurance and benefits and resolves deduction and coverage issues.
• Coordinates and administers unemployment claims, responds to unemployment claims and services as the point of contact for EDD.
• Performs difficult clerical and administrative work involving considerable independent judgment; assumes individual initiative as required to set work priorities and determine the most effective methods for accomplishing work.
• Coordinates filing systems and other clerical procedures; checks daily mail and sorts, stamps, and delivers to appropriate recipients; schedules travel arrangements and meeting appointments; purchases and maintains office supplies; processes invoices and purchase orders; compiles and tabulates information for routine reports.
• Assists in the supervision, training, and evaluation of other clerical and support personnel, as directed.
• Observes and complies with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles and practices of human resources, payroll, benefit coordination, leaves of absence tracking, Workers’ Compensation, employee management, and accounting functions in a municipal setting;
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility;
• A variety of human resources information technology applications related to employee tracking and budgeting;
• City policies, procedures, personnel rules, and labor contract provisions related to recruitment, selection, classification, compensation, and benefits administration;
• Administrative policies relating to wage and hour issues, hiring, and other personnel actions;
• Methods, techniques, and practices of data collection and basic report writing;
• Business letter writing and standard writing practices for correspondence;
• Recordkeeping and filing principles, practices, and procedures;
• Principles of providing functional direction and training;
• Business mathematic principles andstatistical record keeping methods;
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols;
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff;
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar;
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Perform complex and responsible administrative and clerical support work with accuracy, speed, and with minimal supervision;
• Effectively handle multiple projects simultaneously; work with numerous interruptions; adjust to changing priorities;
• Develop, maintain, and analyze accurate records in accordance with established procedures;
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions;
• Use a high degree of tact, discretion, and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and confidential information;
• Conduct research, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations;
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed;
• Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform assigned work;
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, recordkeeping, and tracking systems;
• Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of assigned staff;
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines;
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments;
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks;
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax;
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience and Training Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Experience:

Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience performing administrative, clerical, benefits, payroll, or accounting experience including frequent public contact and complex recordkeeping including specialized payroll and employee computer systems, human resources (HRIS), or benefits management.

Education:

Completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college level coursework in human resources management or public administration. Completion of a program of study through an accredited college, university, or HR Professional organization resulting in a Certificate in Human Resource Management is highly desirable.

An Associates Degree (60 semester or 90 quarter units) from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one year of experience.

A Bachelor’s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field of study may be substituted for two years of experience.

License or Certificate:

Possession of a valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record.

Environmental Conditions:

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Physical Conditions:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

Selection Process:

All properly completed applications will be reviewed and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Failure to provide all required application materials will result in disqualification from the selection process. The process may include any combination of a written exam, oral interview, and/or skills assessment to further evaluate job-related qualifications. Candidates who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on an eligibility list and will remain eligible for employment consideration for a minimum of six months.

Note: Prospective employees will undergo, and must successfully pass, a live scan fingerprint and reference check including employment verification, and a medical examination. A drug screen may be required.

ANTICIPATED RECRUITMENT TIMETABLE*

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

*Please note, all dates and/or timeframes are subject to change.

THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER