Human Resources & Risk Manager

The City of Laguna Beach is seeking an experienced and collaborative Human Resources and Risk Manager to play a key leadership role in supporting the City’s workforce and organizational success. Under general direction, this position plans, organizes, and oversees comprehensive human resources and risk management programs, including recruitment and selection, employee and labor relations, classification and compensation, benefits administration, training, and regulatory compliance.

In addition, this role directs the City’s risk management program, including workers’ compensation, insurance programs, and workplace safety initiatives. The Human Resources and Risk Manager serves as a trusted advisor to executive management and department leadership, exercising sound judgment and discretion while working collaboratively across departments to deliver effective, compliant, and proactive HR and risk management services.

What you’ll be great at:

• Leading and advancing the City’s human resources and risk management programs
 • Serving as a key resource on labor relations, including negotiations, meet-and-confer, and grievance resolution
 • Interpreting and applying MOUs, Personnel Rules, and employment laws with sound judgment and discretion
 • Advising executive management and department leadership on complex personnel and risk matters
 • Overseeing recruitment, classification and compensation, benefits, training, compliance, and workplace safety programs
 • Supervising, mentoring, and developing human resources and risk management staff

 Apply now to be part of the first review! Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis, with the first review on March 4, 2026.

This position will remain open until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.  A completed City online application must be submitted by the first review date. Please ensure you upload your resume to your application.

The normal duties for this position can be found in the job description for Human Resources & Risk Manager. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Any combination demonstrating the ability to effectively and successfully perform the duties of the position is considered qualifying.  A typical combination is as follows:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, human resources management, risk management, or a related field.

Experience:

• Five (5) or more years of increasingly responsible professional experience in human resources, labor relations, and risk management, including supervisory responsibility; public-sector experience is preferred.

License/Certificate Requirements:

• Professional certifications in human resources and risk management (SHRM, IPMA-HR, PHR, CPRM, ARM, or equivalent) are desirable.

This recruitment will establish an eligibility list that may be used to fill future vacancies in the same or lower classifications.

Application Process: All interested applicants must submit a completed online City application. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis with a first review on March 4, 2026. Applications will be screened carefully and selected applicants will be invited to undergo a Structured Panel Interview to evaluate their knowledge, skills and abilities. The appointing hiring authority will further review the job-related qualifications of applicants deemed eligible before making selection decisions and may require a written exam. The selection process may be modified based on the needs of the City.

Pre-employment Process: Selected candidates must successfully pass a fingerprint check with the State Department of Justice. Education and employment verification and reference check(s) will also be conducted. 

Why work for Laguna Beach: Laguna Beach is a beautiful coastal city located in Orange County, California, with a vibrant art scene and cultural events. We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, including City paid health insurance for employees, retirement plans, and paid time off. The City has a strong commitment to its employees, providing opportunities for professional growth and development through training and education programs.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Laguna Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. We encourage you to inform Human Resources at least two business days prior to the first phase of the selection process if you have a disability that may require accommodation. EEO/ADA.

Salary : $135,174 - $208,141