Human Resources Department

Develops a strategic view of the priorities for balancing sustainable financial resources with the cost of a stable and highly skilled workforce to provide City services. Labor Relations secures City Council and City Manager approval for long- and short-term objectives and adjustments as needed; establishes and maintains a durable working relationship with organized labor groups; negotiates agreements that achieve strategic, operational and fiscal objectives consistent with prioritized needs; performs day-to-day oversight of the implementation of negotiated agreements; resolves grievances; and assures that the collective bargaining agreements and disciplinary actions are applied in a consistent, business based manner. Employee Benefits educates City employees to make informed choices among a wide variety of high quality benefit options.

Payroll and Employee Benefits Administration facilitates the timely and accurate processing of payroll and benefit activities for over 1,500 employees. They implement and administer benefits plans, analyze and make recommendations related to benefit programs and policies, participate in benefit contract negotiation and renewals, communicate benefits information to employees, issue benefit notices, and manage payments to benefit providers. Payroll activities include timekeeping, direct deposit authorizations, employment tax forms, W2 distribution, as well as various internal and external payroll deductions. This division is responsible for tax compliance, filing monthly and annual reports to the federal and state tax authorities, state and supplemental retirement reconciliation and reporting, and maintaining a paperless time and attendance reporting system.The division also administers position control, employee data management and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS).

Plans and acquires a highly skilled workforce by directing and assessing recruitment and examination systems in accordance with the civil service principles and all applicable federal, State, and local statutes, laws and regulations. Staff also provides recruitment and certification of qualified candidates and determines classification and compensation, bargaining units, and Fair Labor Standards Act status.

Focuses on safeguarding City resources and minimizing loss to its human, physical, and financial assets. Staff administers the City’s self-insured programs for liability, property, and workers’ compensation claims and settles claims within established guidelines. They also purchase various lines of insurancecoverage, establish and review insurance requirements for City agreements and permits, and seek reimbursement from third parties causing damage to City property.  Risk Management also manages workplace safety and loss prevention programs, which help to avoid and lessen these risks; performs facility inspections; provides safety training for City employees; and oversees compliance with a number of federal and State mandated programs including Unemployment Insurance, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and drug testing.

Provides high-quality training programs designed to meet individual, group, or departmental needs and objectives by conducting comprehensive programs in required training, general management, supervision and basic skills development.