Departmental Human Resources Manager – Public Works
Listed on 2026-01-26
-
HR/Recruitment
HR Manager, Employee Relations, Talent Manager -
Management
HR Manager, Employee Relations, Talent Manager, Operations Manager
Departmental Human Resources Manager – Public Works
San Mateo County
Post Date
January 22, 2026
Closing Date
February 10, 2026
$ - $
Description
The Opportunity
The County of San Mateo’s Department of Public Works seeks well-qualified candidates for the position of Departmental Human Resources Manager. This role serves as the primary HR partner for Public Works, supporting workforce strategy, labor relations, communication, equity, and acting as the key liaison to the County’s central Human Resources Department.
The Department of Public Works plans, designs, constructs, operates, and maintains facilities and equipment that are safe and accessible to the clients of County, the general public, and County employees. The Department advises the Board of Supervisors on all public works issues.
Public Works has a budget of approximately $200 million and is comprised of over 300 employees in five divisions:
Administrative Services, Airports, Engineering and Resource Protection, Facility and Capital Projects, and Road Services.
Why This Role Matters
The Department of Public Works delivers essential services that residents rely on everyday – capital projects, utilities, roads, facilities, fleet, and environmental services. The Human Resources Manager ensures this workforce is supported through sound labor practices, accurate payroll and compliance processes, effective performance management, and programs that promote engagement, wellness, and organizational resilience.
This role is critical to:
- Ensuring defensible employee relations practices.
- Translating County HR policy into practical, field-ready guidance.
- Providing clear communication and effective conflict resolution across diverse work environments.
What You Will Do
This position is responsible for administering and supporting key human resources functions for the Department of Public Works, including but not limited to:
Employee and Labor Relations
- Serve as the first point of contact for employee relations matters, including performance management, corrective action, investigations, and compliance documentation.
- Advise managers on progressive discipline, documentation standards, and risk-aware decision-making.
- Partner with labor organizations; participate in meet-and-confers and negotiations; interpret and apply MOUs and Civil Service Rules.
Payroll, Compliance, and HR Operations
- Provide oversight and guidance related to payroll processes, audits, and compliance requirements.
- Ensure adherence to County, State, and Federal laws, regulations, and labor agreements.
- Interpret and apply policies related to leave, benefits, workers’ compensation, and classification/compensation.
Workforce & Performance Management
- Coach managers and supervisors on effective performance evaluations, SMART goal setting, and employee development.
- Support workforce planning and recruitment strategies within Civil Service rules.
- Assist with onboarding, succession planning, and staff development initiatives.
Engagement, Wellness, and Organizational Development
- Champion employee engagement, wellness, appreciation initiatives tailored to the diverse workforce, and leading the department employee engagement committee.
- Conduct training needs assessments and identify systemic issues impacting morale, performance, or compliance.
- Help re-establish and strengthen training, mentoring, and development programs.
Strategic Partnerships and Communication
- Build strong relationships with department leadership, supervisors, frontline staff, and central HR partners.
- Prepare professional reports, policies, Board memos, executive summaries, and presentations.
- Represent the department in meetings with executive leadership, unions, vendors, and community partners.
Who Thrives Here
Successful candidates demonstrate both technical HR expertise and strong interpersonal judgement. The ideal candidate brings experience across employee and labor relations, employee engagement, performance management, and payroll or audit functions, and is comfortable navigating complex stakeholder environments. An ideal candidate will be:
- Experienced in Employee & Labor Relations. Demonstrated capability conducting defensible, unbiased investigations;…
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