Job Description

Position Description
Application Filing Deadline: Sunday, February 1, 2026
Exam # 26/14M61/01LC
The County of Monterey Human Resources Department plays a vital role in advancing organizational excellence by partnering with departments to attract, develop, and retain a diverse, high-performing workforce dedicated to serving our community. As a trusted advisor to County leadership, Human Resources helps shape an inclusive culture that supports innovation, accountability, and operational excellence.
The County is seeking an accomplished and strategic Human Resources Services Manager (Human Resources Program Manager) with proven experience leading core HR functional areas, including Classification & Compensation, Recruitment & Selection, and front-line Employee Relations. This is a key leadership opportunity for a collaborative, results-driven professional who excels at managing complex HR programs and guiding multidisciplinary teams in a public-sector environment.
This position oversees the Human Resources Services Division and provides direct leadership and oversight of staff responsible for classification and compensation administration, recruitment and examination processes, and front-line employee relations support to County departments. The Manager serves as a strategic business partner, aligning HR programs and service delivery with organizational goals, labor agreements, and operational priorities.
The ideal candidate brings a strong background in supervising professional HR staff, navigating sensitive employee relations matters, and designing equitable, market-responsive classification and compensation systems. Success in this role requires the ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on leadership, apply sound judgment, and foster strong partnerships across departments.
This position calls for a forward-thinking leader with the vision and expertise to modernize recruitment and retention strategies, support a diverse and evolving workforce, and deliver high-quality, customer-focused HR services that support the County's mission.
The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans' preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flier. The Eligible List established through this recruitment process may be used county-wide to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.
Examples of Duties

• Plans, organizes, directs, and manages the activities and operations of one or more programs within the Human Resources Department including, but not limited to, training, and organizational development, recruitment and selection, classification compensation, employee relations, labor relations, and benefits and human resource information systems.
• Determines, establishes, and implements operational strategies, processes, and procedures for assigned program areas.
• Serves as a technical advisor to executives, elected officials, managers, supervisors, employees, and labor representatives on programmatic matters, while applying technical and professional expertise in the resolution of issues.
• Interprets, explains, and applies provisions of law, rules, or regulations related to assigned programs; evaluates unusual and difficult issues and challenges in assigned program areas; develops, recommends, and implements solutions, requiring the interpretation of policy intent in the absence of applicable and clear procedural guidelines.
• Works with executives, elected officials, managers and supervisors to assess program service needs; ensures program services are aligned with county and departmental goals and objectives.
• Manages and monitors the preparation, implementation and administration of assigned program(s) budget.
• Reviews legislation to evaluate impact on program operations and activities and provides a written assessment of same; works collaboratively with departments on issues with county-wide impacts and prepares recommendation on impact mitigation.
• Conducts studies and makes recommendations for the development and revision of program operations.
• Prepares a variety of technical and administrative reports, publications, and related documents

To view the complete classification description, please visit the County of Monterey website: .
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Thorough Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of assigned human resources program area(s).
• Principles, practices, and procedures in assigned functional area(s) of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of customer service and relations to develop and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction with services and products delivered by the Human Resources Department.
• Laws, rules, and regulations governing the assigned program areas.

Working Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of human resources management
• Principles and practices of staff supervision and training
• County government functions and services
• Business letter writing and the standard format for reports and correspondence
• Principles and practices of administrative and technical report preparation and presentation
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation

Skill and Ability to:

• Develop, establish, and maintain effective, cooperative, and collaborative interpersonal relationships with a wide variety of individuals, including county officials and managers, staff, employees, and the public.
• Coordinate, organize and manage the delivery of complex services utilizing team-based approaches.
• Plan, coordinate and implement overall work plans to achieve a designated objective; coordinate multi-faceted projects and studies, including coordination and planning for resources, staff, and timing.
• Mediate resolutions to difficult and/or complex issues.

• Recognize, identify, and resolve conflict or problems of a sensitive or pollical nature; analyze situations and employ creativity in resolving problems; select alternatives; communicate and project consequences of proposed actions; and negotiate mutually satisfactory solutions to problems.

• Demonstrate strong leadership skills.
• Use good judgment when dealing with others in a variety of stressful and non-stressful situations.
• Communicate in a professional manner.
• Plan, organize, supervise, and review the work of subordinate staff.
• Analyze, collect, interpret, evaluate, and draw logical conclusions from a variety of complex information.
• Understand, interpret, and apply appropriate provisions of applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, memoranda of understanding, and operating procedures.

Examples of Experience/Education/Training
Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college in Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a field related to the human resources program to which position is assigned.
AND Experience: Five (5) years of professional experience in the human resources field that includes at least three (3) years of public sector experience in the assigned program area including one (1) year in a supervisory level administrative or management position.
Additional Information
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:

• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver's license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency.

BENEFITS:
The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the . This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.
NOTES:

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

Application and Selection Procedures
Apply On-Line at
By Sunday, February 1, 2026, 11:59 PM(PST)
or
Hard copy applications may be obtained from and submitted during normal business hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting:
Human Resources Department
Attn: Laura Carucci
168 W. Alisal St., 3rd Floor
Salinas, CA 93901
Email: | Phone: (831) 759-6723
The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. A complete application package will include:

• A completed County of Monterey Employment Application
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions

Applicants who fail to provide all required materials by the final filing deadline will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.
HIRING PREFERENCE FOR VETERANS AND ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES
The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses (i.e., surviving spouses of veterans, spouses of totally disabled veterans, and spouses of active-duty service members) and awards veterans' preference points for this recruitment. To obtain a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application, please visit the Human Resources website or click on the following link:
To apply for veterans' preference points, veterans or eligible military spouses must complete and email a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application with supporting documentation of their eligibility by the final filing deadline to EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Laura Carucci, Senior HR Analyst, at (831) 759-6723, or

Skills Required