Provisional Human Resources Analyst I

Santa Cruz METRO; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

CalPERS Retirement Pension

457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan

Life/AD&D Insurance

Long Term Disability Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Tickets at Work

Pet Insurance

Job summary

Santa Cruz METRO is seeking an HR Analyst I to support the full employee lifecycle, focusing on recruitment, benefits administration, and policy compliance. You will collaborate with hiring managers, develop interview materials, coordinate onboarding, and administer leave, payroll, and HRIS data.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in HR or related field and two years of HR experience; a CA driver’s license is needed. This is an onsite position with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR/organizational development, business, public administration, or related field.
• Two years of professional HR administration experience, preferably in a public agency.
• Familiarity with transit agency activities desirable.
• Valid California Driver’s License required at time of appointment and throughout employment.
• Certified Professional (CP) or Senior Certified Professional (SCP) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan and administer recruitment and selection activities with hiring managers.
• Prepare job announcements and recruit materials; develop interview questions.
• Develop, schedule, and proctor tests and assessments; establish rating criteria.
• Coordinate onboarding processes for new employees and temporary staff recruitment.
• Administer and monitor HR benefits and retirement programs; review contracts and negotiate premiums.
• Administer leave management in compliance with laws and policies.
• Serve as a liaison for leave status and accommodations; support performance development.
• Develop and maintain HR dashboards and reports; track trends and improvements.
• Support HR program development, system updates, and policy implementation.

Skills

Recruitment planning

Interviewing

Compliance

HR policy guidance

Employee relations

Data analysis

Training delivery

Budget monitoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human resources management or related field

Tools

HRIS

Benefits systems

Job description

Under direction, the Human Resources Analyst I supports Santa Cruz METRO by administering professional, analytical HR programs across the employee lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Plan and administer recruitment and selection activities, including job analyses and collaboration with hiring managers on job-related qualifications
• Prepare and maintain job announcements and recruitment materials; develop interview questions
• Develop, schedule, and proctor tests and assessments; establish rating criteria
• Review and screen applications; coordinate, facilitate, and train interview panels to support equitable hiring practices
• Source talent using a variety of platforms and resume databases to match job requirements
• Represent the organization at job fairs, community events, and college recruitment activities; support academic and industry collaboration through recruitment and employee panel participation
• Conduct candidate reference checks as part of pre-employment screening
• As authorized, send offers of employment and schedule pre-employment drug screening, fingerprinting, and medical examinations
• Coordinate onboarding processes for new employees
• Coordinate temporary help recruitment through outside employment agencies, including interviewing and selecting temporary employees
• Process and respond to employment verification requests and provide administrative support as needed
• Administer Santa Cruz METRO’s multi-tier benefits and retirement programs in accordance with plan provisions and applicable laws, policies, and labor contracts (including contract review/renewal, negotiating premium rates, and ensuring vendor effectiveness)
• Monitor eligibility, limitations, and restrictions; process enrollments and withdrawals; calculate and determine benefits
• Resolve coverage and claim issues with employees, supervisors, managers, retirees, insurance carriers, benefits brokers/providers, and third-party administrators; provide benefits program information
• Provide guidance on policy and plan document interpretation
• Administer leave management in compliance with local, state, and federal laws, METRO policies and procedures, and labor contracts (including reviewing/monitoring requests, leave usage, and accrued balances)
• Evaluate and approve or deny medical certifications; coordinate with other departments to support salary continuance and leave administration
• Serve as a liaison between employees and management on leave status and return-to-work processes; assist with reasonable accommodations
• Conduct classification studies by gathering and analyzing job data, recommending classifications, and documenting findings
• Conduct compensation and benefits studies; respond to internal and external requests for salary and benefits information
• Assist with labor relations activities, including negotiations and contract implementation
• Assist in investigating grievances, complaints, and misconduct allegations; recommend corrective action
• Facilitate meetings with union representatives and management
• Counsel and advise employees and management on HR-related matters, policies, procedures, and legal requirements; support management in maintaining regulatory compliance
• Administer training and development, including researching, creating, and delivering training, workshops, and presentations
• Conduct new hire orientation, open enrollment meetings, and exit interviews; coordinate external trainings
• Track departmental budget; process invoices and requisitions
• Support workers’ compensation administration by monitoring cases from inception to final disposition, reviewing claim forms/documentation, maintaining records, and serving as a liaison with relevant parties
• Assist with workers’ compensation budget preparation by monitoring claim payments
• Participate in developing and administering HR policies, practices, and procedures; identify opportunities and recommend improvements
• Assist with HR program, system, and procedural development and implementation
• Participate in HRIS and database maintenance, including updating benefit configurations and business processes to align with MOU requirements
• Organize and maintain accurate databases/files/records; verify information, research discrepancies, and ensure compliance with record retention schedules
• Participate in business and system process design and updates
• Administer HRIS Learning and Talent modules to support employee development and performance
• Develop and maintain dashboards and reports to track progress, identify trends, and recommend improvements
• Administer or assist with HR compliance programs such as Lactation Accommodation Program, COBRA, Title II/Title VI/Americans with Disabilities Act/504 complaints, Public Records requests, and other legal inquiries
• Research, analyze, summarize, and interpret data; prepare and present reports and written materials
• Attend meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; review publications to stay current on HR principles, practices, technologies, regulations, and developments
• May supervise clerical and/or support staff by scheduling, assigning, directing, and evaluating work; provide training as needed; may have input into selection and disciplinary action
• Drive a Santa Cruz METRO vehicle to perform assignments
• Perform related work as required

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in human resources management, organizational development, business or public administration, or a related field
• Two (2) years of professional human resources administration experience, preferably in a public agency
• Familiarity with transit agency or transportation system activities and functions is desirable
• Valid California Driver’s License required at time of appointment and throughout employment
• Ability to obtain and maintain a current, valid California Class “C” Driver’s License
• Certified Professional (CP) or Senior Certified Professional (SCP) from a recognized Human Resource Certification organization preferred

Technologies

• HRIS
• HRIS Learning and Talent modules
• HRIS dashboards and reports
• CalPERS
• COBRA

Benefits

• Medical Insurance: Choice of multiple HMO and PPO plans; Santa Cruz METRO contributes 95% of monthly premium costs; employee responsibility is 5%; premium participation continues after retirement
• Dental Insurance: Premium paid by Santa Cruz METRO for employee and qualified dependents
• Vision Insurance: Premium paid by Santa Cruz METRO for employee and qualified dependents
• CalPERS Retirement Pension: 2.5% at 55 for eligible members; 2% at 62 for PEPRA CalPERS members
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan: Two plan providers available (similar to 401(k))
• Life/AD&D Insurance: $25,000 Life coverage; $50,000 AD&D coverage provided by Santa Cruz METRO; additional coverage available
• Long Term Disability Insurance: Available after one year of service; premium paid by Santa Cruz Metro; monthly maximum of $3,000.00
• Employee Assistance Program: Confidential mental, financial, legal and other assistance (premium paid by METRO)
• Tickets at Work: Discounted rate program (Use code SCMPERKS)
• Pet Insurance: Discounted rate program

Other Conditions of Employment

• Must pass a requisite background check
• May occasionally work extended hours or hours outside of the regular schedule
• May require occasional travel
• Must maintain strict confidentiality of work-related information
• Must participate in professional development activities
• This employer does not sponsor applicants for work visas

Physical and Mental Demands

• Physical: Frequently reach with hands and arms; walk, sit and stand; use finger dexterity; talk and hear; use a keyboard; repetitive use of both hands to grasp and feel objects; stooping at the waist; standing; may require lifting up to 20 pounds unaided
• Visual: Close vision, distance vision, ability to see colors and shades, and ability to perceive depth
• Mental: Uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs highly detailed work; manages multiple concurrent tasks; interacts with others
• Work Environment: Typically standard office environment with moderate noise level

Salary and Location

• Location: Santa Cruz, CA (onsite)
• Pay: USD 42.23 - $59.30 per hour
• Salaries: Six-step salary range schedule with 5% increases yearly; typical placement at first step; after successful completion of probation, second step paid
• Additional FTE position is pending Board Approval

Adopted: 01-28-2022 | Revised: 09-12-2025 | Job Family: Administrative Professional | Job Series: HR Analyst | Job Series Level: Journey | Confidential: Yes