Principal Human Resources Analyst

City of Oakland; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15 paid holidays

Competitive health coverage

CalPERS retirement benefits

Dental & vision coverage

Sick leave & paid vacation

Deferred compensation options

Job summary

City of Oakland seeks an experienced Principal Human Resources Analyst to provide expert-level consultation within the Human Resources Management Department. The role leads complex HR programs, shapes policies, and improves service delivery for the City’s diverse workforce.

You will analyze workforce issues, interpret laws and policies, and advise executive leadership. The position may supervise staff, manage projects, and collaborate across departments to advance equity and organizational

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (HR/related field) required or equivalent
• Five years of professional HR experience, with leadership or supervisory responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Provide expert consultation to executive leadership and HR professionals on complex HR issues
• Plan, administer, and evaluate HR programs (recruitment, classification & compensation, training)
• Analyze workforce data, interpret laws and policies, and develop recommendations and strategies
• Develop and improve HR policies, programs, and processes to support organizational goals
• Lead, review, and coach assigned staff; manage contracts and budgets as needed
• Represent HRM at meetings, City Council, or commissions as assigned

Skills

HR expert

Analytical thinker

Trusted advisor

Leadership & collaboration

Organized & accountable

Equity-driven

Education

Bachelor's in HR/related field

Master's degree desirable

Job description

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.

The City of Oakland is seeking an experienced human resources professional to serve as a Principal Human Resources Analyst within the Human Resources Management (HRM) Department. This position offers an opportunity to provide expert-level consultation, lead complex human resources programs, and help shape the policies, practices, and services that support the City's workforce.

The Principal Human Resources Analyst is the expert-level in the Human Resources Analyst series. The position requires the highest level of professional expertise, sound independent judgment, and the ability to address complex and sensitive human resources issues. Depending on the assigned area of responsibility, the incumbent may provide expert consultation in recruitment and assessment, classification and compensation, training and organizational development, or other assigned human resources functions.

The successful candidate will bring both technical expertise and a practical understanding of how human resources policies and practices affect employees, managers, and the delivery of City services. The position may also plan and administer programs, lead initiatives, supervise staff, and recommend improvements to HR processes, policies, and service delivery.

Why join the City of Oakland's Human Resources Management Department?

The City of Oakland's Human Resources Management Department plays a critical role in supporting the City's workforce and ensuring that departments have the people, systems, and resources they need to deliver essential public services. HRM provides a broad range of human resources services, including recruitment and selection, employee and labor relations, classification and compensation, benefits, human resources operations, organizational development and training, and employee support.

Working in HRM means working in a complex, full-service municipal human resources environment where the work has a direct impact on City employees and the communities they serve. You will collaborate with HR professionals, executive leadership, and City departments across a wide range of functions and have the opportunity to apply your expertise to complex organizational challenges.

The Department values collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and high-quality customer service. Employees are encouraged to identify opportunities to improve processes, develop practical solutions, and work together to strengthen the City's ability to recruit, develop, and retain a skilled and diverse workforce.

We are looking for someone who is:

• An HR expert. You bring substantial professional experience in human resources and can provide sound guidance on complex issues, policies, and practices.
• Analytical and solutions-oriented. You can evaluate complex information, identify problems, and develop practical, well-supported recommendations.
• A trusted advisor. You communicate effectively with executive leadership, department managers, and HR professionals on sensitive and challenging matters.
• A strong leader and collaborator. You can guide staff, develop employee capabilities, and build productive relationships across the organization.
• Organized and accountable. You can manage complex assignments and competing priorities while maintaining high standards for accuracy, quality, and timeliness.
• Committed to continuous improvement and equity. You look for ways to strengthen HR programs, improve service delivery, and support fair and consistent practices across the City.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Providing expert consultation to executive leadership, department management, and HR professionals on complex human resources issues.
• Planning, administering, and evaluating HR programs and initiatives in areas such as recruitment and assessment, classification and compensation, and training and organizational development.
• Analyzing complex workforce and organizational issues, interpreting applicable laws and policies, and developing recommendations and implementation strategies.
• Developing and improving HR policies, procedures, programs, and processes to support organizational goals and effective service delivery.
• Leading, reviewing, and coordinating the work of assigned staff while providing technical guidance, coaching, and professional development.
• Preparing complex reports, studies, policy documents, and recommendations; managing assigned contracts and budgets; and representing HRM at meetings and, as assigned, City Council, board, and commission meetings.

Competencies Required:

• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job.
• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data.
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims.
• Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results.
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable, high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships.
• Communication: Communicating effectively in oral and written form.
• Political & Organizational Savvy: Working skillfully with politics, procedures, and protocols across organizational levels and boundaries.
• Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems to propose new ways to do business.
• Coaching & Developing Others: Supporting others in stretching and expanding their capabilities.
• Managing & Facilitating Change: Addressing key factors that influence successful organizational change.
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability.
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires.
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity.
• Establishing Credibility: Following through on commitments and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others.

This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process.

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable.

Education:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in human resources management, industrial/organizational psychology, social science, public administration, business management, or closely related field. A Master's degree is highly desirable.

Experience:

Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional human resources experience performing recruitment and assessment, classification and compensation, training and organizational development, and/or equal employment work; including at least two (2) years in a lead or supervisory capacity. Experience working in a public sector agency is highly desirable.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Special qualifications for individual positions may be established including specialized knowledge, abilities, education, and experience.

Must be willing to work irregular days and hours, as needed.

The Recruitment Process:

The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the “minimum qualifications” listed for each position.

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.

Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.

In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.

For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be invited to the job simulation exercise (sometimes referred to as a performance exam) (weighted 100%). The tentative date of the performance exam is the week of December 7, 2026.

Candidates requesting reasonable accommodations for the examination process must request accommodations no later than one week before they are scheduled to take the exam; otherwise, it may not be possible to arrange accommodations for the selection process. Please complete the Request for Reasonable Accommodation in Testing form by clicking on this link or by copying and pasting the link into your browser to open it: https://cao-94612.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/Request-for-Reasonable-Accommodation-in-Testing-2.9.22-Fillable.pdf

Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you’re applying to a “restricted” posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.

The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

What's in it for you?

• 15 paid holidays
• Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
• Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
• Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans
• Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Sick leave: Employees accrue12 days per year
• Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
• Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.

*Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found here: Working for Oakland | City of Oakland, CA

Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.

Disaster Service Workers

All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.