Principal Human Resources Analyst

Salary : $127,825.80 – $155,373.12 Annually

Location : Martinez, CA

Job Type: Permanent Full-Time

Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number: AGNA-2023A

Department: Human Resources Department

Opening Date: 09/13/2023

Closing Date: 10/4/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA: Exempt

Bargaining Unit: B8

The Position

Contra Costa County recognizes that our employees are our strongest and greatest asset. The Human Resources Department has a staff of just over 50 employees organized into four (4) divisions that provide services to County Departments, employees, and the public.

Human Resources team members work in collaboration with one another and the County Administrator’s Office to provide central human resources services and oversight to 27 County departments. In order to provide the best human resources services to our partners and clients, we strive to recruit motivated, forward-thinking, results-driven HR staff.

We upgraded our two core HRIS, Peoplesoft and NeoGov, to streamline processes, produce actionable data, and improve outcomes. In addition, we launched online testing of multiple choice exams in 2019 and have since launched online testing for structured interviews, behavioral consistency assessments and performance exams. We are actively working to identify innovative and creative approaches to add value and provide high quality services to our County partners and the public.

Contra Costa County has been recognized as an early adopter of online unproctored testing for the public sector, and our agile approach to recruitment has allowed us to stay ahead of the game during this pandemic. If you’re someone that is excited about trying new things and focusing on the work that adds value instead of getting lost in the routine processes, this is the place for you!

A successful Principal HR Analyst will be a skilled professional who is committed to bringing out the best in others, leading and being the change, and who is able to provide guidance and support without dictating a specific solution.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Analytical and data driven. You will be responsible for collecting and analyzing various HR metrics, and making recommendations to improve and optimize human resources activities for the County.
• Creative! You will need to be able to understand the challenges faced in hiring and recommend innovative ways to assess applicants and shorten time-to-hire to ensure the best qualified candidates are available for our hiring managers.
• Interested in learning and developing their career. In addition to recruitment and classification work, you will have the opportunity to propose a variety of special projects and pilot programs that will challenge you to develop your skills and learn more about our agency.
• Customer focused. Your role will require you to understand your customer’s operational needs and to be responsive and proactive when addressing those needs.
• A strong relationship builder with excellent communication skills. You will be expected to create an environment where your team will strive and thrive, establish relationships across many departments at all levels of the organization, and ensure that a consistent message is communicated to a variety of audiences.
• Organized and results-driven. You will need to balance your own work and multiple assignments and priorities for your assigned team in a fast-paced environment.

Tentative Recruitment Schedule

Tentative Multiple-Choice Test: October 13 – 17, 2023

Target Start Date: Mid to late-November 2023

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Supervising and leading a team of Human Resources analysts and technicians by coordinating the work of the team and ensuring the integrity of the work is maintained and performance agreements are met.
• Conducting complex recruitment, assessment, and classification work.
• Analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness of County Human Resources programs, policies, processes, and team effectiveness; identifying areas for improvement and innovation, and proposing solutions.
• Helping to develop strategies to create career ladders, increase employee engagement, improve employee retention, and building an inclusive, high-trust organizational culture.
• Providing guidance and interpretation to County departmental human resources staff on human resources policies, procedures, rules and regulations, and on workforce planning, organizational design and development.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• Your work will have a direct impact on the County’s ability to provide important public services.
• You are looking to develop your leadership skills without the full responsibility of a supervisor.
• You will be challenged daily.
• You will work with people who are passionate about their work, and focused on continuous improvement and innovation.
• You’re seeking an opportunity to contribute to an effort to redefine public sector merit-system hiring.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will be joining an organization that is updating and modernizing several business practices and technologies. This will require persistence and tenacity to help keep change moving forward in an environment where some are already experiencing change fatigue.
• Your customers will include some people with strong personalities and/or high expectations.
• You will need to learn to navigate through complex, sometimes outdated and conflicting rules, policies and labor agreements to assist others in reaching operational objectives.

Competencies Required:

• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Business Process Analysis: Defining, assessing, and improving operational processes and workflow
• Coaching & Developing Others: Supporting others in stretching and expanding their capabilities
• Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks
• Design Sense: Creating work products that are functional, intuitive and aesthetically pleasing
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new ways to do business
• Establishing Credibility: Doing what he/she commits to doing and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others
• Group Facilitation: Enabling constructive and productive group interaction
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Learning Agility: Seeking learning opportunities and applying the lessons to one’s work
• Managing & Facilitating Change: Addressing key factors that influence successful organizational change
• Organization Design & Structure: Establishing organizational structure and clarifying roles and responsibilities
• Political & Organizational Savvy: Working skillfully with politics, procedures, and protocols across organizational levels and boundaries
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Presentation Skill: Formally delivering information to groups
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace

To read the complete job description, please visit the website;

The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six months.

Minimum Qualifications
License Required: Possess and maintain a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License, or the employee must be able to provide suitable transportation, which is approved by the appointing authority.

Experience: Four (4) years of progressively responsible full-time human resources experience performing recruitment and assessment and/or classification and compensation and/or organizational development work. Three (3) years of the qualifying experience must have included significant responsibility for (a) conducting classification studies, and compensation analysis, and/or (b) conducting job analyses, and developing and administering employment assessments.
and
Education: Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree from a college or university with a major in human resources management, business, industrial psychology, public administration or closely related field.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Professional HR experience working in a local government or public sector agency
• Possession of a IPMA-HR Certification
• Possession of a SHRM Certification
• Possession of a Data/HR Analytics Certification
• Experience as a lead or supervisor of other HR staff

Selection Process

1. Application Filing and Evaluation: Applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application, applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.
2. Multiple Choice Test: Tentatively scheduled for the week of October 13 – 17, 2023. Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to patriciate in a multiple choice assessment. The assessment is designed to measure candidates’ competencies as they relate to the job. These may include but are not limited to: the ability to collect and analyze data, draw logical conclusions, and make sound recommendations; the ability to interpret and apply rules and regulations; and the ability to communicate effectively in writing. Candidates must achieve a passing score on the multiple choice test to be advanced to the performance assessment. (Weighted: 100%)

The multiple choice assessment will be administered remotely using a computer or mobile device such as a tablet. You will need access to a reliable internet connection to take the assessment.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

CONVICTION HISTORY
After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. 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.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to

01

The purpose of the questionnaire is to provide applicants the opportunity to elaborate on their experience, education, and training for the Principal Human Resources Analyst position and to assist the HR staff in assessing each applicant’s qualifications. Your responses to the questionnaire will be used to better understand your relevant experience, education, and training to determine which applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the recruitment process. Do not answer any of the questions by indicating “see attached application or see resume.”

• I understand

02

Do you possess a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s License?

• Yes
• No

03

Please select the option that best matches your HIGHEST educational attainment.

• High School Diploma / G.E.D.
• Attended some college and possess 0-29 semester / 0-44 quarter units of coursework from an accredited college/university
• Attended some college and possess 30-59 semester / 45-89 quarter units of coursework from an accredited college/university
• Attended some college and possess 60+ semester / 90+ quarter units of coursework from an accredited college/university
• Completion of an Associate Degree from an accredited college/university
• Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college/university
• Completion of a Master’s Degree from an accredited college/university
• Completion of a Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited college/university
• Completion of a Ph.D. from an accredited college/university
• None of the above

04

If you indicated that you possess a Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree or PhD, please indicate your major. If you do not possess a degree please select N/A below.

• Human Resources Management
• Business
• Industrial Psychology
• Public Administration
• Other closely related field
• N/A

05

How many years of progressively responsible full-time human resources experience do you possess that required you to perform recruitment and assessment, classification and compensation and/or organizational development work?

• 5 years or more of experience as described
• 4 years or more, but less than 5 years, of experience as described
• 3 years or more, but less than 4 years, of experience as described
• 2 years or more, but less than 3 years, of experience as described
• 1 year or more, but less than 2 years, of experience as described
• Less than 1 year of experience as described
• I do not have any experience as described

06

How many years of full-time, or its equivalent, professional human resources experience do you possess conducting classification studies and compensation analysis? Note: Professional Human Resources experience is defined as performing duties that require interpretation, independence of judgment and application of defined principles, practices and regulations.

• 5 years or more of experience as described
• 4 years or more, but less than 5 years, of experience as described
• 3 years or more, but less than 4 years, of experience as described
• 2 years or more, but less than 3 years, of experience as described
• 1 year or more, but less than 2 years, of experience as described
• Less than 1 year of experience as described
• I do not have any experience as described

07

Please describe your experience conducting classification studies and compensation analysis. Provide employer name and length of time performing duties.

08

How many years of full-time, or its equivalent, professional human resources experience do you possess conducting job analyses and developing and administering employment assessments? Note: Professional Human Resources experience is defined as performing duties that require interpretation, independence of judgment and application of defined principles, practices and regulations.

• 5 years or more of experience as described
• 4 years or more, but less than 5 years, of experience as described
• 3 years or more, but less than 4 years, of experience as described
• 2 years or more, but less than 3 years, of experience as described
• 1 year or more, but less than 2 years, of experience as described
• Less than 1 year of experience as described
• I do not have any experience as described

09

Please describe your experience conducting job analyses and developing and administering employment assessments. Provide employer name and length of time performing duties.

10

How many years of professional HR experience do you possess working for a a local, state, or federal public sector agency? Note: Professional Human Resources experience is defined as performing duties that require interpretation, independence of judgment and application of defined principles, practices and regulations.

• 3 years or more of experience as described
• 2 years or more, but less than 3 years, of experience as described
• 1 year or more, but less than 2 years, of experience as described
• Less than 1 year of experience as described
• I do not have any experience as described

11

If you indicated that you possess professional HR experience with a local, state, or federal public sector agency, please list the name of the agency(s) and dates of employment.

12

Do you possess professional HR experience as a lead or supervisor of other HR Staff? Note: Professional Human Resources experience is defined as performing duties that require interpretation, independence of judgment and application of defined principles, practices and regulations.

• Yes
• No

13

Which of the following certifications do you possess? (Check all that apply)

• IPMA-HR Certification
• SHRM Certification
• Data/HR Analytics Certification
• Other related certification
• None of the above

14

I certify that I meet the announced minimum requirements for this examination and understand that I will be eliminated at any stage in such examination if it develops that, in fact I do not meet them. I further certify that all statements made in this supplemental questionnaire and the application are true and I agree and understand that misstatements or omissions of material facts will cause forfeiture of my rights to employment with Contra Costa County.

• Yes

Required Question