Principal Human Resources Analyst (AM) - Benefits Administration

City of Santa Ana; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Santa Ana is seeking a results-driven Principal Human Resources Analyst to lead benefits administration, rideshare, and wellness programs within the Human Resources Operations Division. Under general direction, this role supervises advanced HR areas and provides high-level staff support to management.

Minimum five years of HR experience, two years in supervision, and a bachelor’s degree in a related field are required.

Qualifications

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in human resources administration, including two (2) years of supervisory experience.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Knowledge of public sector human resources administration and able to oversee and direct day‑to‑day operations and services of a comprehensive HR program.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the administration of benefits, recruitment and selection, and related HR programs within the City’s Human Resources Operations Division.
• Supervise and evaluate staff; assign projects and monitor work flow; provide training and guidance as needed.
• Participate in budget development and administration for assigned programs; monitor expenditures and adjust as necessary.
• Oversee vendor selection, contracts, and administration of professional services and reports for City Council approval.
• Lead recruitment and selection activities; develop staffing plans and ensure consistent practices across Citywide levels.
• Support onboarding and offboarding activities, including background checks and new hire processing.
• Ensure compliance with state, federal, and local HR laws and City policies; prepare reports and communications.

Skills

Supervision

Budgeting

Recruitment & selection

Public sector HR

Benefits administration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources/Public Administration/Business Administration

Tools

Office software

Job description

The City of Santa Ana is looking for individuals who are results-oriented, possess great attitude, demonstrate creativity and innovation, work efficiently, show a record of success and have a passion for public service. Having highly talented employees provides the best service to our community. 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 Principal Human Resources Analyst will administer the City's employee benefits, rideshare, and wellness programs. Under general direction, the Principal Human Resources Analyst supervises and oversees the administration of one or more advanced professional and technical functional areas within the Human Resources Operations Division, including but not limited to (health) benefits and recruitment and selection. Provides highly responsible and complex staff assistance to management staff. Candidates must possess a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in human resources administration, including two (2) years of supervisory experience, supplemented by a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field. Candidates must also possess knowledge of public sector human resources administration and able to oversee and direct the day‑to‑day operations and services of a comprehensive human resources program.

This recruitment is continuous with a first review of applications deadline of 11:59pm, Thursday, October 22, 2026. This recruitment can close at any time without notice after this deadline. The eligibility list established for this classification may be used to fill future vacancies within the Operations Division.

• Assumes supervisory oversight of advanced professional and technical functional areas of the Human Resources Operations Division, including but not limited to (health) benefits and recruitment and selection.
• Assists in the management of health benefit programs, including reviewing employee benefit eligibility, auditing benefit enrollment and billings, administering rideshare, health fairs, and wellness programs, coordinating benefit open enrollment, overseeing benefit orientations and retirement counseling, advising on retirement processes, assisting with internal and external benefit audits, and providing benefits assistance to staff; and administers labor agreement benefit provisions.
• Recommends, develops, and implements City rules, programs, policies, and procedures; participates in related data research and statistical analysis; prepares comprehensive written reports; identifies resource needs and opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures and reviews findings with management staff; and implements improvements.
• Participates in the development and administration of assigned program budgets, including forecasting of funds for staffing, services, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors expenditures; and recommends adjustments, as necessary.
• Oversees the preparation and administration of requests for proposals and contracts for a variety of professional and contract services; participates in the vendor selection processes; oversees submission of reports required for City Council approval; and administers and tracks approved contracts.
• Assigns, directs, coordinates, and reviews work activities and projects; monitors work flow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; and works with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides and/or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; and implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversees and participates in the City's recruitment and selection activities; works with managers to analyze staffing needs; develops and reviews recruitment plans, testing, and selection to ensure Citywide consistency; ensures job‑related valid screening techniques; advises on appropriate and effective outreach and advertising efforts; and provides related assistance and information to employees and applicants.
• Supports employee onboarding and offboarding activities, including medical and background check processes, processing of new hire paperwork, and separation administration.
• Oversees other employee related programs and activities, including the administration of performance appraisals, bilingual examinations, personnel actions forms, and seniority analysis; updates website materials; and ensures all division programs and activities are in compliance with state, federal and other regulatory agency rules, regulations, provisions, policies, and procedures.
• Provides information and assistance to City staff, the public, and outside agencies and organizations regarding Human Resources Department programs, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Provides responsible and complex assistance to management staff; participates on a variety of committees and boards; and prepares and presents staff reports and other correspondence.
• May assist in the preparation, coordination, and facilitation of employee training programs.
• May assist in the administration of Personnel Board proceedings and/or other professional boards and commissions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in human resources administration, including two (2) years of supervisory experience, supplemented by a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field. Experience, education, and training must provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Public sector human resources administration; benefits; recruitment and selection; principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation; organizational development and training; public sector pension systems; municipal budgetary processes and control; methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis, and applicable quantitative methods; municipal government administration; business letter writing and report preparation; office procedures, methods, and equipment, including computers and office software applications; and pertinent federal, state, and local public sector labor and employment laws, codes, and regulations.

Ability to:

Oversee and direct the day‑to‑day operations and services of a comprehensive human resources program; select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff; recommend, implement, and evaluate goals, objectives, programs, projects, policies, and procedures; understand, interpret, and apply Citywide and departmental codes, policies, and procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations; participate in the preparation and administration of assigned budgets; plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines; prepare clear and concise technical and staff reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials; conduct complex research projects; organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; maintain appropriate and effective recordkeeping; operate office equipment, including computer equipment and office software applications; communicate tactfully, clearly, and concisely, both orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with department management, City employees, employee organizations, elected and appointed City officials, and the public.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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

HIGHLY DESIRABLE

Possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field is highly desirable.

Possession of IPMA-Senior Certified Professional (IPMA-SCP) certification is highly desirable.

WRITING SKILLS EXAMINATION (Tentatively scheduled for week of October 26, 2026)

(Qualifying) will evaluate the candidate's subject matter knowledge, analytical skills and writing aptitude. The areas that will be evaluated may include: analytical thought process and proper English and grammar usage, clarity, conciseness, organization, content, and logical progression from one idea to the next. Candidates need a minimum passing score in order to continue in the selection process.

ORAL INTERVIEW EXAMINATION (Tentatively scheduled for week of November 2, 2026)

(Weight of 100%) will evaluate the candidates' experience and training, communication, education, and abilities in relation to those factors which are essential for successful performance on the job. 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.