Human Resources Specialist

Human Resources Specialist

Salary

$78,444.00 - $105,264.00 Annually

Location

City of Palm Springs, CA

Job Type

Full Time - Regular

Job Number

HR - 0826

Department

Human Resources

Opening Date

08/05/2026

Closing Date

9/3/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Summary

Salary Note: Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are made at the range minimum

THE CITY: Palm Springs, located in the Coachella Valley, is known for its luxurious yet relaxed lifestyle. Picture waking up to fresh air, surrounded by palm trees, and enjoying stunning mountain views. This city offers a perfect blend of nature and modern living for both residents and visitors. Palm Springs is ideal for families, offering numerous parks, gardens, and nature reserves for leisurely activities and wildlife encounters. With a wide range of attractions and events, there's always something fun for everyone in the family. To see the exciting things going on, visit the Engage Palm Springs website. The City of Palm Springs is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, from policies to inclusive healthcare, and making people of various backgrounds feel welcome and supported. To view our recent Human Rights Campaign score of 100%, visit the Municipal Equality Index website.

THE POSITION: This position is a member of the Citys Human Resources Department and assists in the administration of the Citys Human Resources functions in planning, developing, and coordinating: policies, procedures, legal compliance, recruitment, benefits, leaves, compensation, and a variety of related administrative duties in support of the department and the Director of Human Resources.

This position will perform the full range of duties, key areas of focus will include, but are not limited to: Benefits, Employee Relations and Development, Leave Management, Training, and Recruitment.

As a member of the Citys unclassified service, this is an "at-will" position, and the incumbent serves at the discretion of the City Manager

Examples of Essential and General Responsibilities

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform and assist in the administration of the Citys Human Resources programs and functions including recruitment and selection, benefits, leaves and workers compensation, legal compliance, labor negotiations, and employee development.
• Coordinate and plan the recruitment and selection of job applicants; develop recruitment plans; prepare job announcements; coordinate advertising materials; schedule, proctor, and score employment tests; coordinate testing with departments involved for assigned positions.
• Prepare and track allocated positions; develop job descriptions; evaluate salary and compensation data; maintain records and related documents.
• Maintain employee records in association with new hires and separations; perform new hire orientation and separation meetings; update and maintain turnover and transition data.
• Distribute and communicate essential information to all departments; provide information and assistance to City Staff and the public regarding Human Resources programs including: policies and procedures, recruitment, benefits, leaves, legal compliance, records, and other relative information.
• Coordinate and assist in the administration of employee and retiree benefit programs including group life, health, and disability insurance programs; coordinate claims processing and premium compilation and payments; counsel employees regarding benefit programs.
• Coordinate and administer leave programs including: FMLA, CFRA, LC4850, PDL, STD, LTD, general leaves, and workers compensation in compliance with plan documents and legal requirements.
• Participate and maintain safety programs including: safety committee, training, compliance, and documentation; work with various agencies and vendors to maintain general oversight.
• Plan, develop, monitor and coordinate employee event/educational programs and activities; develop promotional programs and materials; monitor programs; coordinate with department heads to develop ways of implementing programs.
• Prepare salary, benefit and classification surveys including computing and compiling survey data and results.
• Coordinate and track training programs including voluntary and statutory programs; maintain documentation; monitor compliance; coordinate with departments on scheduling and participation.
• Maintain compliance programs and requirement per local, State and Federal laws.
• Prepare various forms of correspondence and communication including letters, reports, bulletins, announcements, and memoranda; maintain electronic communication information; provide salary or negotiation information and employment verification information as requested.
• Set-up and maintain confidential personnel records for City employees including documentation of appointments, transfers, salary, vacation and sick leave; maintain a variety of files, including current classification specifications.
• Develop and maintain program processes and procedures, assist with the development of Human Resources programs and goals, and maintain budget tracking and planning for assigned areas.
• Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
• Provide assistance to other Human Resources staff on projects and initiatives.
• Provide staff support to assigned boards and commissions.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum and Preferred Requirements

Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered, however, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the selection process. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications. (One year of work experience is the equivalent of 12 months of full-time work. "Full-time work" means at least 36 hours of work over a period of one week or 1,872 hours of work over a period of at least 12 months.) Qualifications noted as "desirable" or "preferred" are not included as part of the minimum requirements.

Experience:

• Two (2) years of professional or para-professional Human Resources work experience is required.

• Previous experience working in a public agency Human Resources environment is preferred.

• Experience in one (1) or more of the following functions is preferred:

• Full-cycle recruitment, talent acquisition, and onboarding

• Conducting confidential workplace investigations or employee relations

• Leave management

• Employee benefit or wellness administration

• Employee development or training

• Ability to communicate effectively in both English and Spanish is preferred.

Training:

• An Associates degree from an accredited college with major course work in public administration, human resources management, psychology or a related field is required. (Education may be substituted on a year for year basis with related job experience, experience is in addition to any other required experience.)
• A Bachelors degree is preferred.

Certificate or Licenses:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver License with a satisfactory driving record is required (a driving record may be deemed unsatisfactory for any of the following reasons: three (3) or more moving violations or reportable accident within the last three (3) years; conviction of driving under the influence within the last five (5) years).
• Professional Human Resources Certification through IPMA or SHRM is preferred.

Special Requirements:

• For this position you may not be related to any person currently working for the City. Relatives shall include spouse, child, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, grandchild, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece and first cousin.

• Incumbents are enrolled in the California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice Program. The DMV Pull Notice Program provides information on the incumbents driving record and driving record status on a periodic basis to the City.

• Must successfully complete a pre-employment background investigation and physical.

• Due to the nature of the Human Resources responsibilities, while this position typically works Monday - Thursday 7am - 6pm, applicants must be willing and able to work various hours that may include early mornings, evening, Fridays, weekends and holidays as required.

Working Conditions:

The following work environment and physical conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

This position works in an office environment with exposure to computer monitors and may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, walking or standing for prolonged periods; light and moderate lifting.

Application and Exam Information

A completed application, resume, and supplemental questionnaire are required by the closing date and time. As a candidate for the position, you will want to be sure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position to achieve maximum opportunity. Applications will be reviewed carefully and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered as this information will be used to determine minimum qualifications. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications. Resumes and other documents may be submitted, however, they will not be used to determine minimum qualifications, please do not use phrases such as "see attached" or "see resume" as they will not be considered. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the process. Minimum requirements must be met at the time of application submission unless stated otherwise.

The Selection Process - The selection process for this position may include one or more of the following: application review, qualification review, written exam, practical exam, oral panel exam and department interview. Candidates must successfully pass each stage of the selection process above in order to continue to the next step. This process may be modified or changed depending on the number of qualified candidates.

Please remember to submit all your application materials by the closing date and time. Incomplete or applications received after the closing date and time cannot be considered. All information on the application is subject to investigation and verification. For more information on completing your application materials click here.

If you are ready to join the exciting Team Palm Springs and you meet the requirements detailed above, please click the apply button. For more information contact Human Resources at:

The City of Palm Springs

3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way

Palm Springs, CA 92262

www.palmspringsca.gov

760-323-8215

The City offers an excellent benefit package and retirement plan through California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Retirement formula is based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS.

Applications must be received by 4:00 pm, September 3, 2026 in order to be considered for this opportunity. The City of Palm Springs reserves the right to accelerate or extend the "Closing Date" of open positions at any time, dependent upon the number of applications received.

The City of Palm Springs is an equal employment opportunity employer and we encourage all persons to file applications. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, family or marital status, disability, medical condition or pregnancy, genetic information, religious or political affiliation, or veteran status.

Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Palm Springs Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

The City of Palm Springs provides a comprehensive benefit program for employees including:

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Retiree Health Savings Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability Plan
• Employee paid Supplemental Insurance Programs
• Employee paid Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Retirement Plan through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
• Benefit program details vary by work unit and bargaining contracts. Click here to view additional information and bargaining unit contracts.
• The City does not participate in the Social Security program, except for the mandatory 1.45% Medicare contribution for all regular positions.

01

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and may be used to further evaluate your experience and education to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process, Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from the information included in the Work Experience and Education sections of your application?

• Yes
• No

02

For this position you may not be related to any person currently working for the City. Are you currently related to any other City employee?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have the required two (2) years of professional or para-professional Human Resources work experience?

• Yes
• No

04

Please describe your Human Resources work experience and where you gained that experience. Note: Entering "N/A" or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response. If none, please indicate "none".

05

Do you have the preferred experience working in a public agency Human Resources environment?

• Yes
• No

06

Please list each agency and the position you held in a public agency Human Resources environment. Note: Entering "N/A" or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response. If none, please indicate "none".

07

Do you have the preferred full-cycle recruitment, talent acquisition, and onboarding experience?

• Yes
• No

08

Please describe your full-cycle recruitment, talent acquisition, and onboarding experience and where you gained that experience. Note: Entering "N/A" or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response. If none, please indicate "none".

09

Do you have the preferred experience conducting confidential workplace investigations or employee relations?

• Yes
• No

10

Please describe your specific experience conducting confidential workplace investigations or employee relations and where you gained that experience. Note: Entering "N/A" or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response. If none, please indicate "none".

11

Do you have the preferred leave management experience?

• Yes
• No

12

Please describe your leave management experience and where you gained that experience. Note: Entering "N/A" or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response. If none, please indicate "none".

13

Do you have the preferred employee benefit or wellness administration experience?

• Yes
• No

14

Please describe your employee benefit or wellness administration experience and where you gained that experience. Note: Entering "N/A" or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response. If none, please indicate "none".

15

Do you have the preferred employee development or training experience?

• Yes
• No

16

Please describe your employee development or training experience and where you gained that experience. Note: Entering "N/A" or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response. If none, please indicate "none".

17

Do you have the preferred ability to communicate effectively in both English and Spanish?

• Yes
• No

18

Do you have the required Associates Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Human Resources or a closely related field?

• Yes, I have the required Associates Degree
• No, but I have the equivalency of two (2) years of additional related work experience
• No, I do not have the required Associates Degree or additional work experience

19

Do you have the preferred Bachelors Degree?

• Yes
• No

20

Do you have possession of and ability to maintain, the required appropriate, valid California driver license, with a satisfactory driving record?

• Yes, I have possession of and ability to maintain, the required appropriate, valid California driver license, with a satisfactory driving record.
• No, but I am able to obtain and have the ability to maintain, the required appropriate, valid California driver license, with a satisfactory driving record by the time of appointment
• No

21

Do you have the preferred Professional Human Resources Certification through IPMA or SHRM?

• Yes
• No

22

Have you attached the required resume to your application? Please note that applications submitted without a resume will be deemed "incomplete" and will not receive further consideration.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Palm Springs

Address 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way

Palm Springs, California, 92262

Phone 760-323-8215

Website http://www.palmspringsca.gov