Deputy Director of Human Resources (Departmental Promotional Only)

We are seeking a collaborative, innovative, and results-oriented Human Resources leader to serve as our next Deputy Director of Human Resources.

This is an opportunity for a compassionate, strategic leader who builds trusted partnerships, leads cross-functional initiatives, and translates organizational priorities into measurable results.

Working closely with the Human Resources Director, department leadership, County departments, labor partners, employees, and community stakeholders, the Deputy Director will oversee multiple divisions and help advance a modern, responsive, and high-performing HR organization.

The Ideal Candidate Will Be:

• A compassionate, approachable, and politically astute leader who builds trust and productive partnerships across the organization and community.
• A strategic, big-picture thinker who anticipates workforce needs, aligns initiatives with organizational priorities, and delivers measurable outcomes.
• A collaborative and customer-focused leader who works across divisions and departments to develop practical, integrated solutions.
• Results-oriented, with the ability to set priorities, lead complex initiatives, manage competing demands, and deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Committed to continuous improvement, innovation, and service excellence.
• An adaptable problem solver with sound judgment who can navigate change and make fair, well-reasoned decisions under pressure.
• A skilled communicator and team builder who values diverse perspectives, develops staff, and fosters an inclusive, high-performing environment.
• Dedicated to equity, integrity, and responsive service to employees, departments, and the community.

The Deputy Director will play a key role in shaping the County’s workforce and HR services, helping attract, develop, engage, and retain the employees who provide essential services to the community.

Examples Of Duties

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The Deputy Director’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Directs, supervises and guides staff in assigned divisions/programs by establishing goals, and policies and performance standards, conducts regular 1:1 meetings and provides coaching, feedback, and recognizes staff;
• Consults and collaborates with other department managers relating to assigned divisions;
• Consults with and advises other County staff and the public regarding Countywide human resource policy issues and participates in the development of standards and programs relating to those policies;
• Discusses organization issues, develops alternatives and strategies for dealing with those problems and assists in the implementation of solutions;
• Directs and collaborates staff in the planning, resource allocation, budgeting and record systems needed to meet the department's diverse responsibilities;
• Assists in the preparation and administration of the department budget;
• Performs a variety of special assignments, prepares complex analytical and statistical reports in assigned areas of human resource management;
• Represents the County under diverse circumstances and prepares and delivers oral presentations to small and large groups;
• As designated by the Director, acts as the Director in the Director's absence.

Qualifications

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Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.

A typical way to qualify is four years of increasingly responsible experience performing a wide variety of administrative and managerial duties in a large, complex public agency including two years experience in a senior level administrative or management position.

Knowledge of:

• Applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to assigned area of responsibility, such as public liability and/or labor relations laws.
• Advanced principles and practices of organizational analysis and human resource planning.
• Basic principles and practices of County-wide operations and its administration policies, procedures and organization.
• Advanced principles of financial administration, including public budgeting, financial and actuarial forecasting and financial analysis.
• Computer systems and applications as used within the County, including a working knowledge of the principals of automation planning, design and implementation.
• Principles of personnel training, supervision and evaluation.

Skills/Ability to:

• Direct and participate in advanced administrative and operational activities related to assigned work section or program area specialty.
• Coordinate program area activities with other departments, programs and/or outside agencies.
• Direct and participate in the analysis of a wide variety of moderate to complex administrative/operational problems and make effective operational and/or procedural recommendations.
• Develop and administer policies, guidelines and procedures related to assigned program area.
• Utilize appropriate interpersonal style and methods of communication to gain acceptance, cooperation, or agreement of a plan, activity, and/or program idea.
• Negotiate agreement between differing individuals and groups of individuals.
• Monitor current and proposed Federal, State and local legislation which impact on assigned area of responsibility.
• Supervise, evaluate and train assigned personnel.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Perform complex mathematical and statistical calculations accurately.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.

Application/Examination

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Departmental Promotional Only. Only current County of San Mateo employees in the Human Resources Department with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date may apply.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%).

Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations, or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination.

Applications for this position will only be accepted electronically through theCounty's careers page.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline

Final Filing Date: Monday, November 16, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. PST

Application Screening:November 18, 2026

Combined Panel /Departmental Interviews: November 24, 2026

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community.

Analyst

Ximena Burns (110526 – Deputy Director of Human Resources - D027)