Human Resources Technician (UC) - Benefits

City of Santa Ana; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Santa Ana is seeking a Human Resources Technician to support benefits administration, recruitment, onboarding and payroll data processing. This position plays a key role in delivering accurate, timely HR services across the employment lifecycle.

Ideal candidates will have experience in benefits administration, open enrollment, benefits billing, and data management, with strong MS Office skills and a commitment to public service.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of: principles and methods of administrative practices and procedures for benefits and recruitment and selection, including recruitment advertising and interviewing, and general human resource operations.
• Skill in: personal computer operation and Microsoft Office suite software.
• Ability to: maintain the confidentiality of sensitive personnel information; maintain accurate records; collect and evaluate data; perform mathematical calculations; prepare reports and correspondence; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the general public.

Responsibilities

• Assists with benefits administration.
• Posts employee information online using CalPERS automated system.
• Provides pension estimates and retirement cash‑out information.
• Coordinates the City's Rideshare Program.
• Coordinates the City tuition reimbursement program.
• Writes memos and letters on a variety of topics to applicants, organizations, and employees.
• Gathers, compiles, and evaluates a variety of information and statistical data.
• Verifies, calculates, and inputs data pertaining to employees, classification, compensation, pay incentives, and other payroll data on new employees and separations into the City’s payroll system.
• Plans and designs recruitment and selection materials such as timelines, advertising sources, and the number and type of examination components.
• Obtains and compiles test questions from various sources for multiple‑choice and oral examinations. Reviews test questions with supervisors and subject matter experts.
• Develops and compiles materials for examinations.
• Administers selected performance, written, and oral examinations.
• Coordinates oral interview examinations by contacting raters and conducting orientations for interview panels.
• Reviews and evaluates job applications for compliance with established standards.
• Writes job announcements and interviews prospective employees.
• Prepares and coordinates job advertisements and coordinates payments with user departments.
• Maintains up‑to‑date recruitment resources and methods to attract qualified applicants.
• Meets with applicants to provide feedback on outcome of examinations.
• Updates employee seniority analysis reports.
• May serve as an administrator for the Neogov applicant tracking and onboarding system, and train users.
• Performs other related functions as assigned.

Skills

HR knowledge

Microsoft Office

Data collection & analysis

Confidentiality

Job description

The City of Santa Ana is looking for individuals who are results-oriented, possess great attitudes, demonstrate creativity and innovation, work efficiently, show a record of success and have a passion for public service. Having the best employees provides the best service to the community

Under general supervision, the Human Resources Technician position provides essential paraprofessional support across a range of human resources functions, including benefits administration, recruitment and selection, and the collection, preparation, and verification of human resources related data. This role is an important part of ensuring employees receive accurate, timely, and high-quality human resources support throughout their employment.

The Human Resources Operations Division supports employees throughout the full employment lifecycle—from recruitment and onboarding through retirement. The current vacancy is specifically within Benefits Administration, where the Human Resources Technician will play a key role in supporting employee benefits and ensuring benefit processes are administered accurately and efficiently.

Candidates must minimally possess some experience performing technician level human resource or administrative duties, or two years of experience performing support staff duties in a human resource office/department. The ideal candidate will bring hands‑on experience with employee benefits administration and a strong understanding of processes such as:

• New employee health benefit enrollments
• Qualifying life events and benefit changes
• Annual open enrollment
• Benefits billing and reconciliation
• Employee benefits records and data management

The eligibility list established for this classification may be used to fill future vacancies within the division, including positions in Talent Acquisition and Benefits Administration.

• Assists with benefits administration.
• Posts employee information online using CalPERS automated system.
• Provides pension estimates and retirement cash‑out information.
• Coordinates the City's Rideshare Program.
• Coordinates the City tuition reimbursement program.
• Writes memos and letters on a variety of topics to applicants, organizations, and employees.
• Gathers, compiles, and evaluates a variety of information and statistical data.
• Verifies, calculates, and inputs data pertaining to employees, classification, compensation, pay incentives, and other payroll data on new employees and separations into the City’s payroll system.
• Plans and designs recruitment and selection materials such as timelines, advertising sources, and the number and type of examination components.
• Obtains and compiles test questions from various sources for multiple‑choice and oral examinations. Reviews test questions with supervisors and subject matter experts.
• Develops and compiles materials for examinations.
• Administers selected performance, written, and oral examinations.
• Coordinates oral interview examinations by contacting raters and conducting orientations for interview panels.
• Reviews and evaluates job applications for compliance with established standards.
• Writes job announcements and interviews prospective employees.
• Prepares and coordinates job advertisements and coordinates payments with user departments.
• Maintains up‑to‑date recruitment resources and methods to attract qualified applicants.
• Meets with applicants to provide feedback on outcome of examinations.
• Updates employee seniority analysis reports.
• May serve as an administrator for the Neogov applicant tracking and onboarding system, and train users.
• Performs other related functions as assigned.

Some experience performing technician level human resource or administrative duties or two years of experience performing support staff duties in a human resource office; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.

DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: principles and methods of administrative practices and procedures for benefits and recruitment and selection, including recruitment advertising and interviewing, and general human resource operations.

Skill in: personal computer operation and Microsoft Office suite software.

Ability to: maintain the confidentiality of sensitive personnel information; maintain accurate records; collect and evaluate data; perform mathematical calculations; prepare reports and correspondence; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the general public.

SPECIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENT

Possession and retention of a valid driver’s license, or alternative transportation that reasonably meets operational needs is required for this position.

Applications will be reviewed by the Human Resources Department.

Written Examination (Tentatively scheduled for Week of October 12, 2026): (Weight of 50%) will evaluate applicants' knowledge of principles and methods related to the Human Resources Technician position.

Oral Interview Examination (Tentatively scheduled for Week of November 2, 2026): (Weight of 50%) will evaluate the candidates' experience, training, education and abilities in relation to those factors which are essential for successful performance on the job. Candidates need a minimum passing score of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list.

Candidates need a minimum passing score in order to be placed on the eligible list. Candidates must achieve a passing score in every component of the selection process in order to be placed on the eligible list. The Human Resources Department may waive one or more examination components. When one weighted examination component is waived, the remaining section will receive a weight of 100%.

The City of Santa Ana is an equal opportunity employer. If you consider yourself a person with a disability, you may contact us regarding providing reasonable accommodation.