Human Resources Director

Job Description:

Human Resources Director

Description

Definition & Distinguishing Characteristics

Become Colusa County’s next Human Resources Director and make a meaningful impact by supporting our employees, guiding leaders, and strengthening the community we serve.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced human resources professional to lead and strengthen the County’s HR programs while working closely with the County Administrative Officer, Board of Supervisors, and department heads. We are seeking a forward-thinking leader who values integrity, collaboration, and public service.

As the County’s Human Resources Director, you will plan, organize, and administer a comprehensive human resources program, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations while providing strategic guidance on recruitment, classification, compensation, labor relations, and employee relations. You will oversee staff, manage the department budget, recommend and implement HR policies, and serve as the County’s representative in labor relations matters. This role requires sound judgment, strong communication skills, and the ability to apply practical solutions to complex employment issues.

This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by supporting County operations, strengthening the workforce, and helping build a professional, responsive, and service-oriented organization. To learn more about this position, please review the job description pages HERE .
This recruitment is open until filled. It is to your advantage to submit an application as soon as possible, as the recruitment may close at any time following application review on February 15, 2026.

Selection Procedure (Tentative):

• Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
• Screening for minimum qualifications: February 15, 2026
• Successful applicants will be notified of the dates for first interviews and final interviews once they have been scheduled.

The selection process steps may change with or without notice.

What's this Job All About?
As the County’s Human Resources Director, you will lead and manage the County’s human resources programs with a hands-on, practical approach while serving as a key advisor to County leadership and employees. This role is central to supporting the County’s mission by ensuring fair, consistent, and legally compliant human resources practices.

You will direct all major HR functions, including recruitment, classification, compensation, labor relations, policy development, and employee relations. You will guide leadership and staff through complex personnel matters, supervise and develop HR staff, prepare reports and presentations for the Board of Supervisors, and help navigate the challenges of public-sector environment.

You will join a collaborative and experienced team of human resources professionals committed to public service and continuous improvement. The County is seeking a leader who can balance sound judgment with common-sense solutions, build strong working relationships across departments, and support both employees and leadership in delivering effective public service. This role provides a meaningful opportunity to shape the County’s workforce and strengthen HR practices that serve both the organization and the community.
Culture is at Our Core The Human Resources Department is a professional, service-oriented team dedicated to supporting Colusa County’s employees, leadership, and community by fostering a fair, respectful, and compliant workplace. While the work is complex, the department values collaboration, clear communication, and practical problem-solving.

Our culture reflects the County’s commitment to:

• Serve employees, leadership, and the public with professionalism, fairness, and respect.
• Act with integrity, confidentiality, and impartiality in all human resources matters.
• Build open and trusting relationships through clear and honest communication.
• Apply common-sense solutions to complex personnel and labor relations challenges.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and supportive team environment.
• Encourage continuous learning, professional growth, and leadership development.
• Support accountability while valuing cooperation and mutual respect.

Colusa County is a small, close-knit organization where teamwork, flexibility, and work-life balance aren’t just talked about-they’re built into how we operate. Enjoy the incredible benefit of a 37.5-hour work week. County leadership recognizes the importance of flexibility and understands that employees have responsibilities beyond the workplace. As a member of the Colusa County team, you will be supported, trusted, and encouraged to maintain balance while delivering high-quality public service.

We proudly recognize your prior public service. With Vacation Parity, eligible candidates receive credit toward vacation accrual for previous service with a public agency-including cities, counties, districts, military service, and similar entities. That means you may start your Colusa County career with more vacation time from day one, honoring the experience and dedication you’ve already earned. It’s our way of saying: your service matters-and it follows you here.
How do we make a difference?
The Human Resources Department serves as a trusted partner to employees and leadership by providing clear, fair guidance through complex personnel, labor relations, and regulatory matters. Even when laws or agreements limit available options, the focus remains on respectful communication, transparency, and consistency.

Through technical expertise and a people-centered approach, the Human Resources Director provides guidance that supports the County and its employees while fostering a workplace built on trust, accountability, and effective public service.

What are the benefits?

• A beautiful, safe community in which to work and serve
• A caring, empathetic, & fun work family that you will be welcomed into
• A job with WORK-LIFE BALANCE
• A LIFETIME PAYCHECK (3% @ 60 for Classic Members and 2% @ 62 for New Members)
• Amazing health care BENEFITS at NO COST to you - Unless you choose a premium health care plan.
• Authentically kind and engaged leadership who truly enjoy developing staff
• 457 Deferred Compensation
• Management Leave: 10 days
• PAID vacation, PAID holidays (15), and PAID sick leave
• Vacation Parity! - Previous service with a public agency counts towards vacation accrual at Colusa County (Includes cities, counties, districts, military and similar entities.) To learn more about vacation parity please see our benefit summary.)

Supervision & Examples of Duties

SUPERVISION EXERCISED :

Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical, and clerical staff.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED :
Receives administrative direction from the County Administrative Officer.

Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Bachelor's degree with major coursework in human resources, public or business administration, or a related field.
  
  
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional human resources experience involving the direction of and policy determination for comprehensive human resources programs, including two (2) years of supervisory responsibility. Experience in a public agency is preferred but not required.
  
  
• Public-sector experience or demonstrated experience interpreting and applying complex, highly regulated employment frameworks is preferred.

Supplemental Information

The salary range above consists of 15 steps. Steps 1-6 are annual merit steps with approximately 5% difference between each step, based on successful performance. Steps 7-15 are additional merit steps, requiring 2 years of satisfactory performance at the previous step. Steps 7-14 provide 2.5% increases, while Step 15 offers a 5% increase. The final salary offered will depend on the applicant's experience and qualifications, ranging from steps 1 to 15.

Please find the summary of benefits for all Department Heads here 2026 Department Heads Benefits Summary

Closing Date/Time: 2/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$107,016.00 - $175,440.00 Annually