| Location | Oakland, CA |
| Salary | $142,343.16–$174,756.72 Per Year |
Principal Human Resources Analyst
Salary
$142,343.16 - $174,756.72 Annually
Location
Oakland, CA
Job Type
Full Time Civil Service
Job Number
26-MA127-10
Department
Human Resources
Opening Date
10/26/2026
Closing Date
11/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA
Exempt
Bargaining Unit
U31
The Position
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 Citys 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 Oaklands Human Resources Management Department?
The City of Oaklands Human Resources Management Department plays a critical role in supporting the Citys 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 Citys ability to recruit, develop, and retain a skilled and diverse workforce.
We are looking for someone who is:
What you will typically be responsible for:
Read the complete job description by clicking this City of Oakland - Principal Human Resources Analyst
Working for the City of Oakland
A few reasons you might love this job:
A few challenges you might face in this job:
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.
Minimum Requirements for Application
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 Bachelors 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 Masters 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.
Supplemental Information
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. Send the completed form and any supporting documentation to the exam analyst: Jaime Pritchett at jpritchett@oaklandca.gov.
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.
Whats in it for you?
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.
How to Apply
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca.
If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system.
For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Jaime Pritchett at jpritchett@oaklandca.gov.
The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:
01
Please be sure to answer the supplemental questions thoroughly and accurately. Applicants are responsible for clearly, completely, and accurately identifying their qualifications. Responses to the supplemental questions may determine your application status. By answering "yes" to this question, I certify that I have read and understand the statement above concerning submission of supplemental question responses.
02
This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City 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. Are you a current full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City of Oakland employee?
03
If you are a current City or Port of Oakland employee, what is your job title and employee ID number? If you are not a City or Port employee, type "N/A."
04
Have you previously been employed by the City or Port of Oakland
05
If you have previously been employed by the City or Port of Oakland, please enter the dates and titles of the jobs you previously held at the City or Port of Oakland below.
06
Please list other names used while employed by the City or Port of Oakland. If you have not been employed by the City or Port of Oakland put "N/A".
07
Do you confirm that the address on your application matches your current residency?
08
If the address on your application does not match your current residence, please enter your address and update it in your application profile. If not applicable, type "N/A".
09
What is the highest degree or level of education that you have completed?
10
If you indicated your highest educational achievement is "Some college credits", how many units of college level coursework have you completed?
11
If you indicated that you have attained a Bachelors degree or above, please list the field of study (major) in each degree attained. (for example: BA degree - Environmental Science & MA degree - Business Administration) If this doesnt apply, please indicate "NA".
12
If you selected "Other", please list the major for your degree.
13
How many years of experience do you have performing recruitment and assessment, classification and compensation, training and organizational development, and/or equal employment work?
14
Please describe your experience and the related duties you performed in recruitment and assessment, classification and compensation, training and organizational development, and/or equal employment work. If you do not have this experience, type "N/A".
15
If you have served in an Acting assignment that you would like considered as experience towards the minimum qualifications requirement, please list the Acting assignment(s) separately in the "Work experience" section of your application. For each Acting assignment, the description must include the Acting job title (use the word Acting as part of the job title), dates and hours served, and duties performed. Resumes and cover letters will not be reviewed. I have read and understand this statement.
16
Answers to the above supplemental questions MUST be supported by information contained in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of this application. Answers not supported by information contained in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of this application will NOT be considered. Resumes and cover letters will not be reviewed. I have read and understand this statement.
Required Question
Employer City of Oakland
Address 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza - 2nd Floor
Oakland, California, 94612
Phone (510) 238-3112
Website http://www.oaklandca.gov/