Human Resources Specialist

The City of Paso Robles is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented professional to join ourHuman Resources Divisionas a Human Resources Specialist. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the people, programs, and services that support our organization and community.

In this dynamic role, you will work across a broad range of human resources functions, including recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, employee benefits and retirement, leaves of absence, workers’ compensation, training and development, and employee relations. This position also serves as the designated backup for payroll, helping ensure employees are paid accurately and on time while maintaining strict confidentiality and attention to detail.

The ideal candidate is analytical and organized, with strong Excel and data management skills, excellent communication, and sound judgment. They are comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, adapt quickly to changing needs, and take a proactive, solutions-oriented approach to customer service.

About Paso Robles

Nestled in the heart of California’s scenic Central Coast, Paso Robles—short for El Paso de Robles, or “The Pass of the Oaks”—offers a unique blend of small-town charm, natural beauty, and modern opportunity. Originally founded around its famous mineral hot springs and rich agricultural heritage, Paso Robles has grown into a dynamic and thriving community. The region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm, sunny days and cool evenings, ideal for both outdoor living and agricultural innovation. With its rolling hills, majestic oak trees, and panoramic vineyard views, Paso Robles provides a truly inspiring setting for work and life.

Paso Robles’ central location within San Luis Obispo County offers residents easy access to a wide array of cultural, educational, and recreational attractions. Just a short 30-minute drive south lies California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), a nationally ranked institution known for its hands-on learning and innovation. This proximity fosters strong connections to cutting-edge research, continuing education, and a highly educated talent pool. To the west, scenic Highway 1 leads to the iconic Hearst Castle in San Simeon, a historic landmark that draws visitors from around the world with its stunning architecture and sweeping coastal views. Within the county, residents can also enjoy the vibrant coastal towns of Morro Bay, Cambria, and Pismo Beach, as well as the eclectic energy of downtown San Luis Obispo. From wine tasting and hiking to art galleries, surf spots, and farmers’ markets, San Luis Obispo County offers an exceptional quality of life.

Today, Paso Robles is best known as a premier wine region, home to over 200 wineries producing world-class Zinfandels, Cabernet Sauvignons, and Rhône varietals. But wine is just the beginning. The city boasts a vibrant downtown filled with boutique shopping, award-winning restaurants, and a bourgeoning local arts scene. Cultural highlights include the Paso Robles Wine Festival, California Mid-State Fair, and a variety of community events that bring residents together year-round. A wide array of housing options, good schools, a welcoming business environment, and proximity to outdoor destinations make it an ideal place to live and work. Whether you’re a young professional, a growing family, or someone looking to make a lifestyle change, the City of Paso Robles offers the perfect balance of opportunity, community, and California charm.

The Organization

The City of Paso Robles was incorporated in 1889 as a general law city and operates under the Council-Manager form of government. As of January 1, 2025, the City's population has grown to approximately 31,061, reflecting consistent growth over recent years as more residents are drawn to the City's high quality of life, strong community identity, and comprehensive municipal services.

The City is a full-service municipality, meaning it provides a wide range of essential public services directly to its residents. These include police and fire protection, emergency medical response, water and wastewater utilities, parks and recreation, planning and development services, public works, and community enrichment programs. The City is committed to delivering responsive, effective, and efficient services that enhance the well-being of its residents and support a safe, sustainable, and vibrant community.

The governing body consists of a five-member City Council: the Mayor, elected at large by the voters of the City; and four Councilmembers elected by district. Voters also elect one City Treasurer at-large. All six elected positions are non-partisan. The City Manager, appointed by the City Council, serves as the Chief Executive Officer and is authorized to appoint all non-elected employees, with the exception of the City Attorney.

The City operates with a total annual budget of $145.7 million for fiscal year 2025-26 and employs 314.44 full-time equivalent positions across the departments of Administrative Services, City Manager’s Office, Community Development, Community Services, Fire and Emergency Services, Police, Public Works, and Utilities.

The Department

The Administrative Services Department is comprised of the Human Resources, Finance and Accounting, and Information Technology divisions. The Human Resources Division is staffed by a Human Resources/Risk Manager, an Assistant Human Resources/Risk Manager, three Human Resources Specialists, and a Payroll/Risk Coordinator who oversee the organization’s human resources, risk management, and payroll functions.

• Coordinates and administers the full recruitment and selection process for new, promotional, and volunteer employment opportunities, including developing recruitment strategies with hiring departments, managing the applicant tracking system, preparing job announcements, administering examinations, screening applicants, and coordinating background checks.
• Coordinates pre-employment medical examinations, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) physicals, Department of Transportation (DOT) drug testing, and other employment-related medical examinations.
• Administers employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, employee assistance program, voluntary benefits, andConsolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act(COBRA)
• Processes benefit enrollmentsand qualifying life event changes; reconciles monthly invoices; and coordinates with third-party administrators to resolve issues.
• Educates employees regarding the City’s health and retirement benefits and conducts new employee orientations.
• Administers and processes changes to the City’s CalPERS pension and 457 deferred compensation retirement programs in compliance with IRS regulations and the Public Employees’ Retirement Law (PERL).
• Processes and monitors employee leaves of absence, includingFamily and Medical Leave Act(FMLA),California Family Rights Act(CFRA),Pregnancy Disability Leave(PDL), military leave,Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA)and Fair Employment and Housing Act(FEHA) accommodations, and consults with department managers regarding the interactive process.
• Processes and monitors workers’ compensation claims; coordinates with employees, supervisors, medical providers, and third-party administrators to ensure compliance and appropriate claim management.
• Processes personnel actions and payroll-related changes for employees, including new hires, terminations, promotions, salary adjustments, tax withholding updates, direct deposit changes, and deferred compensation and benefit changes.
• Assists in the administration of classification and compensation programs, including maintaining classification records, updating position information, and executing salary and pay adjustments.
• Administers the City’s DMV pull and commercial driver programs, ensuring compliance with DOT, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and Clearinghouse regulations.
• Maintains confidential employee records and data, including medical files, in accordance with retention and confidentiality requirements.
• Prepares and compiles data for required reporting, including CalPERS, Medicare, Social Security,Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEO-4), Affordable Care Act(ACA), andCalifornia Occupational Health and Safety Administration (Cal/OSHA).
• Responds to requests for information, including employment verifications and salary and benefit surveys.
• Researches, compiles, and analyzes data to support labor negotiations, policy development, reporting requirements and special projects.
• Provides information, guidance, and consultation to employees, management, and the public regarding human resources and payroll programs, policies, procedures, and the interpretation and application of applicable laws and regulations, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• Maintains and coordinates a comprehensive training schedule; monitors and schedules training opportunities for City employees; and processes education reimbursement requests.
• Exercises discretion and sound judgment while performing liaison and coordination responsibilities with City staff and representatives of public agencies, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators.
  
• Works in conjunction with the Payroll/Risk Coordinator to process the bi-weekly City-wide payroll, ensuring the accurate and timely preparation, review, and submission.
• Maintains payroll system tables, deduction codes, pay codes, and earnings configurations.
• Verifies employee timecards, leave usage, and payroll adjustments for accuracy and compliance with City policies, memoranda of understanding, City policies, and FLSA regulations.
• Calculates overtime, premium pay, and the FLSA regular rate of pay, including the inclusion of specialty pays and incentives, in compliance with federal and state wage and hour laws and memoranda of understanding.
• Processes wage garnishments, deductions, and payroll-related payments, including CalPERS contributions, union payments, and tax withholdings, ensuring compliance with statutory limits and notification requirements.
• Reviews and verifies pensionable compensation reporting to CalPERS; processes adjustments and corrections as necessary to ensure accurate retirement reporting.
• Ensures compliance with federal and state payroll tax regulations; assists with preparation and reconciliation of quarterly and annual payroll tax filings, including W-2 reporting.
• Reconciles payroll registers to general ledger accounts and benefit vendor invoices; researches and resolves discrepancies.
• Researches and responds to payroll inquiries and identifies, troubleshoots, and resolves payroll discrepancies in coordination with employees, supervisors, and Human Resources and Finance staff.
• Maintains accurate payroll records, reports, and supporting documentation to ensure compliance, data integrity, and audit readiness.

• Principles and practices of human resources in a public agency setting, including recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, employee benefits and retirement programs, payroll administration, leaves of absence, workers’ compensation, training, and employee relations.
• Federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing employment practices, wage and hour requirements, leave administration, benefits administration, and workers’ compensation.
• CalPERS pension administration requirements and 457 deferred compensation program compliance standards.
• CalPERS pensionable compensation rules, special compensation reporting requirements, and post-retirement employment limitations.
• Memoranda of understanding and their application to pay, benefits, and working conditions.
• Records management principles, confidentiality requirements, and proper handling of sensitive employee and medical information.
• Payroll processing procedures, reporting requirements, and reconciliation practices.
• Coordination of protected leave laws with wage replacement benefits, including State Disability Insurance (SDI), Paid Family Leave (PFL), and workers’ compensation benefits.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to City staff and customers.
• Principles of employment law and its applicability to public-sector human resources administration.
• Modern office practices and computer applications related to the work, including human resource information systems (HRIS), applicant tracking systems, word processing, databases, spreadsheets, and advanced Excel functions.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with employees, management, union representatives, public agencies, and external partners.

• Accurately interpret and apply human resources policies, procedures, labor agreements, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Analyze information, identify issues, and recommend appropriate solutions within established guidelines.
• Administer and monitor benefits, payroll-related processes, retirement programs, and leave programs with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Identify compliance risks and take appropriate corrective action or escalate issues as necessary.
• Organize and prioritize multiple assignments and deliver a superior work product under critical and time sensitive deadlines.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive employment and medical information.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and provide excellent customer service.
• Exercise sound judgment, initiative, tact, and discretion in handling complex or sensitive issues.
• Prepare clear and accurate correspondence, reports, reconciliations, and documentation.
• Demonstrate proficiency with HRIS, payroll, and applicant tracking systems, and adapt quickly to new technologies.
• Research regulatory updates and apply changes to assigned programs.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, management, union representatives, and external agencies.

• Bachelor's degree with coursework in human resources, business administration, public administration, or a related field; and
• Two years of experience in human resources.

Licenses and Certifications
Requires possession of a valid California Class C driver license, a satisfactory driving record.