Human Resources Director

Shape the Future of a Premier Silicon Valley City

The City of Milpitas — the Crossroads of Silicon Valley — is seeking an experienced, collaborative human resources professional to serve as its next Human Resources Director.

Home to more than 82,000 residents and to companies including Cisco Systems, KLA, Western Digital, and Amazon, Milpitas is a full-service, general law city with a Council-Manager form of government, a $292.3 million budget, and 451 funded positions across 14 departments. Reporting to the City Manager and serving on the Executive Leadership Team, the Human Resources Director leads a team of eight and a department budget of $2.59 million, directing recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, benefits administration, workers' compensation, training, employee relations, and labor negotiations with the City's five bargaining units.

The timing is exceptional: the City has launched Phase 2 of its Tyler Munis ERP implementation for HR and Payroll, with a go-live date of January 2027, and the incoming Director will lead the organization through this transformation from day one. If you are a hands-on, working director who builds strong teams and stronger relationships, we want to meet you.

View the full recruitment brochure Human Resources Director - City of Milpitas, California

HOW TO APPLY: Submit a complete application form with all required documents.

Please have the following documents ready to upload as PDFs:

1. Professional resume
2. Cover letter
3. Contact information for at least three (3) professional references

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plan, organize, direct, and participate in the administration of the City's major human resources programs, including recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, performance management, labor relations, workers' compensation, and training.
• Advise management and employees in their interpretation of the City's personnel policies, practices, and procedures, including employment, disciplinary action, grievances, and performance issues and evaluations.
• Formulate, recommend, and implement policies, rules, and practices related to human resources programs.
• Represent the City in contract negotiations with representatives of the City's bargaining units, and work with employees to foster positive employee relations.
• Administer and interpret provisions of labor agreements (Memoranda of Understanding).
• Identify, plan, and coordinate staff development training for City employees, and conduct training on human resources topics.
• Supervise and conduct surveys, classification studies, and special studies; perform research and analysis; and prepare related reports.
• Develop Requests for Proposals related to human resources programs, and solicit and evaluate proposals.
• Supervise the maintenance of centralized personnel files and records to meet local, State, and Federal recordkeeping requirements.
• Investigate allegations of harassment, discrimination, or policy violations, and evaluate the City's equal employment programs.
• Co-chair the City's Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), receive reports, and make recommendations to remedy safety concerns.
• Analyze issues, and prepare and present reports for City Council.
• Prepare and administer the City's Human Resources budget.
• Advise the City Manager on human resources matters.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience: At least five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in public personnel administration. Management or supervisory experience is required.
• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in human resources administration, public administration, political science, business administration, or a closely related field.
• License: Possession and maintenance of a valid California Driver License (Class C) is required. 

Highly desirable: An advanced degree in a related field; professional certification such as IPMA-SCP, SHRM-SCP, or SPHR; experience leading or supporting an ERP or HRIS implementation; and experience negotiating and administering labor agreements in a multi-unit environment.Selection Process

To be considered, complete the online application form before the closing date on Monday, October 12, 2026 at 11:59 PM (PST).

Please have the following documents ready to upload as PDFs:

1. Professional resume
2. Cover letter
3. Contact information for at least three (3) professional references

Following the closing date, applicants with the most relevant qualifications will be granted preliminary interviews. Candidates deemed to be the best qualified will participate in panel interviews, followed by additional meetings with the City Manager. The City anticipates making an appointment shortly thereafter, following the completion of negotiations and extensive background and reference checks. References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established. This is a confidential process and will be handled accordingly throughout the various stages of the process.

Questions may be directed to Jasmin Ramos, Human Resources Analyst II, at (408) 586-3090 or [email protected]. 

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general direction from the City Manager. 

Exercises direct and indirect supervision over professional, technical, and clerical personnel.

Conflict of Interest

Incumbents in this position are required to file a Conflict of Interest Statement upon assuming office, annually, and upon leaving office, in accordance with Resolution No. 8833.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Milpitas will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the Human Resources Department. The City of Milpitas is an Equal Opportunity Employer.