HR Staff Specialist

County of Orange • Santa Ana, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

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. They explain Human Resources procedural information to both internal and external customers, prepare a variety of documents using Microsoft Office Suite, and 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, Classification & Compensation, Employee & Labor Relations, Employment Records & Transaction, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Human Resources Administrative Services (Data Analytics), Learning & Organizational Development, Recruitment & Selection, and Return to Work/Disability and Absence Management.

Requirements

• Sophisticated computer skills
• Professional demeanor
• Excellent communications skills
• Ability to problem-solve and provide detailed analysis
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• One (1) or more years of progressively responsible human resources experience in the areas listed above.

Responsibilities

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed