About the Department

HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST

(Staff Specialist)

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Staff Specialist opportunities. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open until Monday, July 6, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. (PST). 

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

 
THE OPPORTUNITY

The County of Orange - Human Resource Services (HRS) has an exciting opportunity for a Human Resources Specialist. The Human Resources (HR) Specialist positions provide support to a variety of HR functions. Successful candidates' assignments will require sophisticated computer skills, a professional demeanor, excellent communications skills, and the ability to problem-solve and provide detailed analysis. These positions:

• Perform a full range of analytical duties including problem identification, information gathering, analysis, development of alternative resolutions, and final recommendations
• Explain Human Resources procedural information to both internal and external customers
• Prepare a variety of documents using Microsoft Office Suite
• Assist Human Resource Analysts/Managers with special projects
• Some assignments may require supervision of staff

Human Resource Services sets and administers human resources policies, programs, and systems in the following areas:  

• Benefits and Wellness - Provides comprehensive benefits, services, and programs that meet the physical, emotional, and financial health and wellness needs of employees, retirees, and their dependents.
• Classification & Compensation– Serves as primary contact for Agencies and Departments regarding the administration of classification specifications, maintenance studies, salary surveys, extra help and working retiree position requests, and reallocation requests. 
• Employee & Labor Relations– Provides guidance on handling personnel matters, including conducting investigations and implementing consistent disciplinary actions, processing grievances, and investigating complaints. Manages programs related to employee background checks. 
• Employment Records & Transaction - Reviews and approves various personnel and position transactions in the County’s HR/Payroll system (CAPS+), maintains electronic personnel files, and processes transactions.
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) - Ensures that the County’s employment practices are non-discriminatory and that all employees are provided a work environment free of harassment.
• Human Resources Administrative Services (Data Analytics) - Supports information technology, human resources information system (HRIS) analytics, budget, purchasing, and facilities' needs.
• Learning & Organizational Development - Instructional and/or program design, leadership and organizational development, program management, training and facilitating, leadership coaching, or organizational development consulting.
• Recruitment & Selection - Marketing career opportunities, consulting with hiring managers on methods and strategies to attract qualified candidates. Implementing job-related methods for pre-employment and promotional candidate testing and assessment through the County's applicant tracking system (NEOGOV).
• Return to Work/Disability and Absence Management – Implements disability management practices, conducts interactive meetings, determines reasonable accommodations for employee medical restrictions, assists employees with Leave of Absence requests.

Click here for more information about the County of Orange

Click here for more information about Human Resource Services.  

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES

In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess one (1) or more years of progressively responsible human resources experience in the areas listed above. Please note that candidates are not expected to have experience in all areas. In addition, candidates will also demonstrate experience in the following competencies:

Human Resources Knowledge | Experience

• Applying comprehensive HR principles and practices across functional areas such as leaves of absence, recruitment and selection, employee relations, position control, personnel transactions, EEO, and employee benefits.
• Interpreting and applying federal, state, and local employment laws, County policies, labor agreements, and best practices to a wide range of organizational scenarios.
• Exercising sound judgment when advising departments and employees, ensuring consistency, fairness, and compliance in all HR actions.
• Demonstrating adaptability by adjusting HR approaches and recommendations in response to evolving regulations, operational needs, and workforce dynamics.

Program and Project Management Skills

• Planning, organizing, and executing HR projects by developing schedules, timelines, scopes of work, and implementation plans that align with departmental priorities.
• Researching, evaluating, and interpreting technical, legal, and procedural information to support decision-making and provide accurate recommendations to leadership.
• Coordinating cross-functional efforts, managing competing deadlines, and maintaining project momentum in a fast-changing environment.
• Applying critical thinking to anticipate challenges, identify solutions, and ensure projects meet compliance and service-delivery standards.

Analytical Skills | Problem Solving

• Collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing complex, sensitive, and confidential data to produce high-quality HR reports, findings, and recommendations.
• Using structured analytical methods to evaluate issues, assess risks, and determine appropriate courses of action within policy, contractual, and operational constraints.
• Applying policy interpretation skills to unique or ambiguous situations, ensuring decisions are defensible, equitable, and aligned with County standards.
• Demonstrating strategic problem-solving by identifying root causes, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions that support organizational effectiveness.

Communication | Interpersonal Skills

• Communicating clearly and professionally with employees, managers, labor partners, and the public regarding HR processes, policies, and regulations.
• Preparing well-crafted written materials, including formal correspondence, job bulletins, analytical reports, reallocation studies, and other official documents.
• Navigating sensitive and confidential matters with discretion, diplomacy, and professionalism.
• Utilizing negotiation and influence skills to facilitate agreement, resolve concerns, and support collaborative outcomes across diverse stakeholders.
• Building effective working relationships across all organizational levels through active listening, clarity, and consistent follow-through.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS  
Please click here to view the minimum qualifications as well as the physical, mental, environmental & working conditions for the Staff Specialist classification. NOTE: Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S.).
 
RECRUITMENT PROCESS  
Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After the screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the recruitment.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)
Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Online Assessment(s) | (Un-Proctored, Weighted 100%) 
Applicants who meet desirable qualifications will be invited to participate in one or more job related assessments. Applicants will be notified of their test date and access code, if applicable. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list. 

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedure listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.
  
Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.
  
Veterans Employment Preference (VEPP)
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

Benefits

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

 

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

 

Supplemental Questions

01

INSTRUCTIONS: The information you provide in this questionnaire will be evaluated and used to determine your level of expertise during the recruitment process. Be as specific as possible and include all information requested. If you do not have experience in an area, please answer "N/A". Statements such as "See Application" or "See Resume," will not be accepted in lieu of a response. All employers referenced on this questionnaire must be listed on your application. Do you understand these instructions?

• Yes

02

Please select the option that is most applicable to your experience as defined in the Staff Specialist minimum qualifications.

• More than three (3) years of full-time experience
• Two (2) years but less than three (3) years of full-time experience
• One (1) year but less than two (2) years of full-time experience
• Less than one year of full-time experience

03

If you are substituting relevant education for the required experience as defined in the Staff Specialist minimum qualifications, a copy of your unofficial transcripts must be attached to your application.
NOTE: Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S).

• Yes, I have attached a copy of my unofficial transcripts because I will be substituting experience with relevant education and, if applicable, I have attached the N.A.C.E.S. equivalency evaluation for my degree.
• Not applicable; I will not be substituting relevant education with experience.

04

Please select the option that is most applicable to your Human Resources experience. (Please ensure that this experience is clearly indicated on your application.)

• No experience
• Less than six months of experience (< 6 months)
• More than six months but less than one year of experience (6 - 11 months)
• One or more years of experience (> 12 months)

05

How much experience do you have in a lead or supervisory role? (Please ensure that this experience is clearly indicated on your application.)

• No experience
• Less than six months of experience (< 6 months)
• More than six months but less than one year of experience (6 - 11 months)
• One or more years of experience (> 12 months)

06

Check all of the areas in Human Resources that you have experience in:

Note: You are not expected to have experience in all areas listed. However, please ensure that any relevant experience is described in your application.

• Benefits & Wellness
• Classification & Compensation
• Employee & Labor Relations
• Employment Records & Transactions
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
• Human Resources Administrative Services (Data Analytics)
• Learning & Organizational Development
• Recruitment & Selection
• Return to Work/Integrated Disability & Absence Management
• None of the above.

07

Describe your experience interpreting and applying federal, state, and local employment laws, County policies, labor agreements, and/or best practices in your daily HR duties.

Required Question

Agency Information

Employer

County of Orange

Address

400 W CIVIC CENTER DRIVE








Santa Ana, California, 92701

Phone

714-834-2555

Website

https://hrs.oc.gov