Assistant Director of Personnel Services

Job Description:

Assistant Director of Personnel Services

Description

Come join the City of Fresno in Building a Better Fresno!

Want to see what it’s like to work here? Explore our We Work For You video series to discover the real stories, passion, and purpose of the team behind Fresno’s success.

Position Description

The City of Fresno is seeking an experienced professional to bring innovation, leadership, and strategic expertise to the Personnel Services Department, serving as a key partner in advancing the department goals.

Reporting to the Personnel Services Director, the Assistant Director assists in the planning, direction and organization of the day-to-day operations of the Personnel Services Department. In this at-will capacity, the incumbent exercises judgment and discretion in the administration and direction of personnel policies, procedures, and programs; and carries out the management responsibilities in one or more of the following functional areas: recruitment and selection, Equal Employment Opportunity, salary and benefits administration, risk management, civil service process, training and development, labor relations and organizational matters, including performance evaluations, corrective actions, grievance investigations, negotiation preparation, and workers compensation.

The incumbent will plan and coordinate major research or administrative projects; compile and analyze data pertaining to personnel program policies, and issues; and assist in the administration, coordination and development of the department budget. The Assistant Director engages with members of the public and city employees by addressing questions and concerns, delivering accurate information, and effectively resolving sensitive and complex organizational issues and complaints. While the City operates within a Civil Service environment, the ideal candidate will be able to deliver innovative workplace solutions while navigating and adhering to established rules and processes.

The Personnel Services Director is seeking a dynamic leader who is innovative, understands current employment laws and regulations, and has the ability to empower employees to accomplish the department goals and mission. The ideal candidate will be an organizational problem solver that can provide positive and proactive solutions, use sound judgment, encompass a high level of commitment to public service, and can demonstrate the ability to work well in a fast paced and demanding environment. Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written, along with a collaborative, team oriented operational style will be essential to success in this role.

The ideal candidate should bring an extensive, well-rounded HR generalist foundation with professional level experience in many facets of HR. A person who can confidently navigate the full spectrum of human resources functions while providing strategic leadership is necessary in this position. A background that includes five years of increasingly responsible management experience in personnel administration, risk management, or related field, including two years at the supervisory level, and a Bachelor’s degree in human resources, public or business administration or related field may be considered qualifying for this position. A Master’s degree in public administration or related field is highly desirable. This position also requires possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

The Department currently utilizes PeopleSoft as its HRIS but is in the process of a system upgrade. The Department has also recently implemented NeoGov as its new recruitment platform, enhancing efficiency and candidate experience.

City Government

Fresno is a full-service charter city operating under a strong mayor form of government.

The City Manager, who is appointed by the Mayor, is responsible for appointing department heads in the City, including Fresno Yosemite Airport; Capital Projects; Finance; Fire; General Services; Information Services; Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services; Personnel Services; Planning and Development; Police; and Public Utilities, Public Works, and Transportation.

There are seven Council Members elected to the City Council. The Council appoints the City Attorney and the City Clerk. The Mayor is elected at-large and does not serve on the Council but has veto power over certain actions taken by Council Members.

Compensation and Benefits

The City offers an attractive and competitive salary and benefits package. The current annual salary range for this position is $118,512 up to $204,648. The employee benefits package, as noted below, is subject to change and includes:

Retirement: Fresno City Retirement System; reciprocity with other public California systems. The City's pension funds are among the best-funded public systems in California and the nation. The City does not participate in Social Security.

Health Insurance: City contributes toward the current monthly premium for medical, dental, and vision for employee and dependents.

Flexible Spending Account Program : IRS 125 Plan for health/dependent care.

Auto Allowance : Dependent upon approval of the City Manager, employees in this classification may be provided with an auto allowance of $300 per month.

Deferred Compensation : 457 plan available which allows tax contribution up to IRS determined limits.

Management Leave: 108 hours per fiscal year with cash out provision.

Annual Leave: Accrue 15.50 hours monthly with cash out provision.

Holidays: Ten (10) City-observed holidays annually, plus birthday and two (2) personal days per year.

Life Insurance: Equal to annual salary; premium paid by City.

Long-Term Disability : City pays premium for 66.66% of monthly salary up to $7,500 per month after 30 days.

Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) : DROP is an optional, voluntary program that allows for retirement benefits deposited in a special savings account within your Retirement System while continuing to work for the City of Fresno. To participate, must be at least age 50 with 5 years of service. Benefits include ownership of DROP account monies; compound interest earnings; and alternative distribution options.

Additional details about the benefits offered may be found at www.fresno.gov
The Selection Process
To pursue this phenomenal career opportunity, please visit our website at www.fresno.gov/jobs. To apply, please complete an employment application and upload your letter of interest, resume, five work-related references, and copy of your bachelor’s degree. The final filing date for this recruitment is April 30, 2026.

Applicants deemed to have the most relevant qualifications will be referred for further consideration.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact Sandra Chavez Martin, Assistant Director at 559-621-6988 or [email protected] .

How To Apply

For information on how to complete an online application, please visit the Help & Support tab. For NEOGOV Application Assistance, please call 1-855-524-5627 or email [email protected]. ONLY ONLINE APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS ARE ACCEPTED and must be submitted by midnight on the closing deadline, or they will not be accepted for any reason.

Required licenses, certifications, and education must be verified with supporting documents. Foreign education must be evaluated by a credential evaluation service recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Please ensure all relevant attachments are uploaded with your application.

For the work experience section, provide detailed descriptions of job duties for each position related to the specific role you are applying for. Resumes are not a substitute for completing this section and will only be reviewed as supplemental information, not for determining minimum qualifications.

For other City of Fresno employment opportunities, please view our Careers Homepage . If you have recruitment questions, please call our office at 559-621-6950. Our office is located at 2600 Fresno Street, Room 1030, Fresno, CA 93721.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Fresno is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Should you need a special accommodation due to a qualifying disability, please contact the Personnel Service Department at (559) 621-6950 in advance of the examination.

Veteran’s Preference

If an examination is conducted for a position within the classified service, qualified veterans who pass the examination will have five (5) points added to their final score. Candidates must submit a copy of their DD214 Member 4 form or electronic copy indicating honorable discharge with each application prior to the filing deadline.

Unit 2

Management Confidential - Unrepresented

BENEFIT

DESCRIPTION

HEALTH INSURANCE

The City contributes toward monthly premiums for PPO medical, dental and vision for employee and dependents.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT

IRS 125 Plan for health and dependent care expenses.

LIFE INSURANCE

Benefit equal to annual salary, $150,000 max; premium paid by the City.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

Voluntary 457 plan with Fidelity Investments to increase your retirement savings. Employer contribution of $75 per month for E5-E22 Ranges, if enrolled in 457 plan.

ANNUAL LEAVE

Accrue 15.50 - 18.83 hours per month based on years of service with maximum accrual and cash out provisions, available after 6 months.

MANAGEMENT LEAVE

60 hours per fiscal year for exempt employees only.

SUPPLEMENTAL MANAGEMENT LEAVE

E1 -E5 Ranges may be granted up to 32 hours per fiscal year.

HOLIDAYS

10 City-observed annual holidays, plus birthday and 2 personal days.

BILINGUAL PREMIUM

$100 per month upon approved certification

LONG-TERM DISABILITY

Benefit equal to 66.66% of monthly salary up to $7,500 per month after 30 days of disability; premium paid by the City.

SUPPLEMENTAL SICK

40 hours per fiscal year.

80 hours lifetime maximum accrual.

HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENT (HRA)

Eligible retirees can use the remaining Sick Leave balance, in excess of 240 hours, at 80% of hourly rate and other qualified leave balances, tax free, to reimburse health insurance premiums and other qualified medical expenses.

RETIREMENT - City of Fresno Retirement Systems, one of the best funded public systems in the state. Reciprocity with other public California systems. Vested in Retirement benefits after 5 years of service. City employees do not participate in Social Security.

DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program): an optional, voluntary program that allows an employee to deposit retirement benefits in a special savings account within the Retirement System while continuing to work for the City of Fresno for up to 10 years. Participation minimum is age 50 and vested. Benefits include ownership of accumulated funds, compound interest earnings, and alternative distribution options.

Additional information regarding the City of Fresno benefits is available at

https://www.fresno.gov/personnel/human-resources-support/#tab-1

Please note that the benefits package described above is specific to permanent full-time employees. Employees engaged on a part-time, temporary, limited, or other basis may have different entitlements.

Closing Date/Time: 4/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$9,876.00 - $17,054.00 Monthly