Health Services Human Resources Manager

About The Position

The Department of Health Services (DHS) is looking to hire a strategic, experienced Human Resources leader to direct the Department's comprehensive human resources program. The Health Services Human Resources Manager will manage, plan, organize, implement, and oversee all aspects of human resources for DHS. The Department of Health Services, one of the largest departments at the County of Sonoma, provides services that promote and safeguard the health and well-being of our community. This position will directly supervise managers and lead an amazing team of human resources subject-matter experts who work across a variety of Department program areas, including Safety, Employee and Labor Relations, Disability Management, Training, Recruitment, and Payroll. This role works closely with the Department's executive management team, divisional and administrative managers, and other stakeholders to provide organizational and high-level leadership, advice, recommendations, and consultation to achieve departmental objectives and navigate complex issues.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key advisor to the Department's executive management team, guiding workforce planning, organizational development, and consistent policy interpretation related to human resources functions
• Cultivate collaboration between the Human Resources team and the Department's executive management team to evaluate, improve, and implement human resources processes, tools, and initiatives that promote an equitable, efficient, and service-oriented workforce
• Interpret, apply, and maintain compliance with all County and department policies, ordinances, Civil Service Rules, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations
• Champion departmentwide efforts that support employee wellbeing, workplace culture, equity, compliance, and organizational priorities

Skills

As the ideal candidate for this position, you will demonstrate the ability to promote positive staff relationships at all levels, have excellent communication skills, and you will possess many of the following:

• Experience supervising and leading a team of individuals with diverse backgrounds, preferably in a public sector organization, or a field with similar complexity
• The ability to be a trustworthy and approachable leader who can respond to critical situations and apply sound judgement
• The proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple high-impact assignments simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and consistent follow-through with minimal oversight
• The ability to assess issues, identify systemic patterns and causes, and develop sustainable solutions while paying close attention to critical details
• High emotional intelligence and the ability to create an environment of trust across all organizational levels
• A commitment to strengthening the department's workplace culture and organizational performance
• Demonstrated expertise in developing concise written guidance and formal documentation for leadership and managers
• A passion for providing ethical and accountable leadership committed to transparency, responsible use of public resources, and equitable service delivery in support of the department's mission

About The Department Of Health Services (DHS)

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the community's health and well-being. With approximately 700 staff members and numerous community partners, the department offers a broad range of programs and services to promote and sustain health for individuals, families, and communities, supported by an adopted budget of $653.3 million for Fiscal Year 2026-27, with departmental operating expenditures more than $426 million. The department's mission is to promote, protect, and ensure access to services supporting health, recovery, and well-being for all residents, guided by core values of equity, collaboration, and excellence.

• Administration: Provides leadership and administrative support, including, but not limited to human resources, compliance, finance, health policy planning and equity, legislative policy, health data and epidemiology, IT, and privacy and security.
• Behavioral Health: Offers mental health, substance use disorder, and homelessness services for all age groups and vulnerable populations, including those with Medi-Cal and the uninsured, directly and through community partnerships.
• Public Health: Protects and promotes health through direct services and policy changes. Programs include Environmental Health and Safety, Family Health, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Disease Control and Surveillance, Healthy Communities, Public Health Preparedness, Animal Services, the Regional Public Health Laboratory, and the Coastal Valleys Emergency Medical Services Agency.

Hear the Department of Health Services' Director, Nolan Sullivan, talk more about current and future priorities of the department on SoCo Chat.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits including:

• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• Staff Development/Wellness - Annual benefit allowances of up to $2,000 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Incentive Retirement Savings Plan (IRSP) and 457 Voluntary Deferred Compensation - 3% of salary County contribution to a 401(a), in addition to the County matching up to 1% of base salary in 401(a), based upon employee contribution
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits - Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

Minimum Qualifications

Experience and Education: Any combination of education, training, and work experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed herein. Normally, this would include academic coursework equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Business or Public Administration, Social or Behavioral Science, Human Resources Management, Organizational Development, or a closely related field; and four years of progressively responsible human resources experience in a unionized environment, at least two years of which have been in a management or supervisory capacity. Experience in a government agency is desirable.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position. The position advertised on this announcement does not require possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Thorough knowledge of: principles and practices of public sector human resources administration including recruitment, selection, training, job analysis, classification and compensation, personnel record keeping, performance management, payroll, and position control; principles and practices of public sector labor relations administration, including interpretation and application of negotiated agreements, employer-employee relations practices, meet and confer obligations, and progressive discipline; principles and practices of management, supervision, and training; applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to EEO, employee health and safety, collective bargaining, and labor relations; applicable federal, state, and local employment compliance requirements including Civil Rights Act, ADA, Family Medical Leave Act, California Family Rights Act, Pregnancy Disability Leave, Fair Labor Standards Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and Worker's Compensation.

Considerable knowledge of: state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to California local government human resources administration and related personnel practices; theory and practices of organization analysis, behavior, and systems; effective group leadership, conflict resolution, and problem-solving; functions and operations of a local government public agency.

Ability to: effectively manage complex human resources programs and related activities; formulate, develop, and implement goals and objectives that achieve quality performance measures and accountability; select, train, engage, and motivate professional and clerical subordinates; analyze complex personnel and organizational problems, develop effective resolutions, and implement effective courses of action; represent the department in grievances, meet and confer, and arbitration hearings; prepare clear and concise reports; work effectively as a member of the executive management team.