DIRECTOR PERSONNEL COMMISSION in Palmdale, California at Palmdale School District

The job of Director Personnel Commission is done for the purpose/s of carrying out the procedures of the Merit System under the direction of the Personnel Commission and in cooperation with the district administration; conducting classification studies; directing all classified recruitment including leadership/management positions, and examination programs; filling district vacancies in classified services; administering a comprehensive personnel program for classified employees; coordinating employee appeals; proposing personnel policies and procedures; and providing information and serving as a resource to others.

Supervision Received
This position reports to and receives direction from the Personnel Commission.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Administers the personnel program for the classified service of the Merit System (e.g. Personnel Commission Rules and Regulations; Education Code; etc.) for the purpose of conforming to relevant laws, contracts and agreements, and district policies.
• Serves as Secretary to the Personnel Commission (e.g. overseeing the preparation/ maintenance of meeting agendas, minutes, budgets, reports, etc.) for the purpose of providing accurate and up-to-date information regarding all matters under the purview of the Personnel Commission.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and seminars pertaining to the Merit System for the purpose of gathering information required to perform functions; represents Personnel Commission at Board of Education meetings.
• Collaborates with internal and external personnel (e.g. Personnel Commission, District administration, other school districts, public agencies, community members, etc.) for the purpose of implementing and/or maintaining services and programs.
• Conducts classification studies (e.g. duties, qualifications, salary, etc.) to develop and maintain a series of related jobs (e.g. job families), and determine whether or not the District policies, practices, and pay structure are effective or in need of adjustment; conducts field and desk audits.
• Coordinates recruitment, competitive examinations, and personnel processes (e.g. advertising vacancies, recruitment, screening applicants, conducting interviews, testing, training, selection, hiring, etc.) for the purpose of filling openings with qualified personnel, and ensuring good personnel practices and compliance with the Merit System requirements.
• Directs department operations, the maintenance of services and the implementation of new programs and/or processes for the purpose of providing services within established time frames, and in compliance with related requirements to Personnel Commission Rules and Regulations, Education Code, CSEA CBA, etc.
• Coordinates appeal hearings in accordance with the Merit System principles, Education Code, and Personnel Commission Rules & Regulations for the purpose of affording appeal rights to classified employees.
• Maintains documents, files, and records for the purpose of providing accurate information in compliance with regulatory requirements and established guidelines for recruiting, hiring, retaining, assigning and promoting classified personnel, and ensuring documentation of personnel processes are in compliance with established requirements.
• Monitors a variety of activities (e.g. plans, budgets, funding requests, personnel processes, etc.) for the purpose of achieving goals and meeting target dates in compliance with established guidelines and requirements.
• Approves personnel requisitions to add classified employees to District payroll in accordance with Merit System principles.
• Performs supervisory functions (e.g. hiring, training, supervising, evaluating, providing professional development opportunities, etc.) for maintaining adequate staffing, enhancing productivity of personnel and ensuring department/program outcomes are achieved.
• Prepares a wide variety of complex written materials (e.g. plans, budgets, funding requests, analyses, recommendations, procedures, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, issues, meeting compliance requirements, providing audit references, making presentations, and/or providing supporting materials for requested actions.
• Recommends policies, procedures and/or actions for the purpose of providing direction for meeting the Personnel Commission's goals and objectives.
• Researches information required to manage assignments including reviewing relevant policies, current practices, staffing requirements, financial resources, etc.; develops new programs/services, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements; securing general information for planning and/or responding to requests.
• Responds to written and verbal inquiries from a variety of internal and external sources (e.g. staffing, conflicts in policies and regulations, community concerns, examination protests, etc.) for the purpose of identifying the relevant issues and recommending or implementing a remediation plan to the Personnel Commission.
• Serves as a resource, upon request, for the collective bargaining processes for the purpose of assisting district negotiation of labor agreements and ensuring compliance with Merit System principles.
• Work independently under broad organizational guidelines to achieve unit objectives; utilization of significant resources from other work units is routinely required to perform job functions.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Click here to view the entire job description.
Education: Bachelor's degree from a recognized accredited college/university in personnel management, human resources, public/business administration, or a related field; OR, the ability to demonstrate the necessary skills for successful job performance (e.g. a minimum of five years at the Analyst level).

Experience: Job related experience with increasing levels of responsibilities is required. Three (3) years of professional-level experience in a K-8 school district setting, with one (1) year at an analyst level with supervisory experience preferred.

Training: Completion of specialized training courses in the Merit System, test development, management and administration, or other related training is desirable.

Licenses and Other Certifications
A valid driver's license and the availability of private transportation or ability to provide transportation between job sites is required. Ability to be covered under the District property/liability insurance.

Application Filing
Applications for this position must be filed online during the specified recruitment period. Applicants will receive notifications electronically by email only.

Applicants must complete all required fields of the application and provide a copy of the following documents, preferably in .pdf format, for attachment to the application: Introductory Cover Letter Resume Two (2) Current Letters of Recommendation, preferably on company letterhead; must be dated and signed by the author. (outdated letters will not be accepted. Proof of Education - Official transcript, if applicable, from accredited college/university to confirm degree awarded and date conferred. References - Contact details for two (2) professional references, distinct from those who composed letters of recommendation. (contact details for relatives will not be considered)

Examination Information
Following the training and experience evaluation that includes a review of responses to supplemental questions, the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the structured interview examination. Make-up exams will not be offered.

After the exam procedure concludes for this recruitment, an eligibility list will be established to fill future vacancies. When eligibility lists include open and promotional lists of qualified persons through competitive examination, the promotional list will be used first, unless otherwise stated on this bulletin.

Structured Interview Exam
Projected Date Range: Monday, November 2, 2026, through Friday, November 6, 2026
Location: The oral examination (technical interview) may be conducted in-person or remotely using Zoom. To participate remotely, you must have access to a computer with a camera, microphone, speakers, and a reliable connection to the internet. The examination components and dates are subject to change as needs dictate. All communication regarding this process will be delivered via email.

Work Schedule
This is an exempt position with a full-time schedule at 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week, and observes a 12-month work calendar. Occasionally, the position requires the employee to work irregular or extended hours.

Compensation
Salary placement for new employees is typically at the first step of the appropriate salary range for this classification. Upon successful completion of the initial probationary period, a one-step salary advance shall be granted with all future annual advances occurring on the established anniversary date.

Probationary Period
An employee appointed to this classification must serve a probationary period of one (1) year during which time the employee must demonstrate an overall satisfactory performance. No employee shall attain permanent status in the classified service until they have completed a probationary period. An employee may be released at any time during the probationary period.

Benefits
The District offers a generous and comprehensive benefit package, including vacation, holiday, and sick leave, as well as medical, dental, and vision coverage for the employee and qualified legal dependents. Health and welfare benefits are earned in accordance with the District's insurance program. Click here to view the current benefit plan matrix.

Leaves
One (1) day of paid leave of absence is earned for each full month of service. The amount of sick leave granted may be accumulated from year to year. Vacation is earned at the rate of two (2) days for each month in paid status for a maximum of 24 days per year. There are seventeen (17) paid holidays that fall within the work year.

Accommodation
Individuals with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodation in the selection process must inform the Palmdale School District Personnel Commission in writing, no later than the filing date stated on the job announcement. Those applicants needing accommodation should document this request in an email to mltheus@palmdalesd.org, including an explanation as to the type and extent of the accommodation needed to participate in the selection process. Proof of a disabling condition(s) as confirmed by medical documentation may be required.

Work Environment
Employees in this classification work primarily in an indoor office environment with frequent interruptions, and changing priorities and deadlines.

Physical Requirements
Employees in this classification sit for extended periods, stand, walk, stoop/bend, reach overhead, push/pull, lift/carry; finger dexterity to write, operate a computer and telephone; speak clearly; normal vision and hearing with or without correction; visual acuity to see small details and read small print; drive a vehicle to conduct work.

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EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
In accordance with Federal civil rights law, civil rights regulations and policies, the Palmdale School District, its offices, and employees, are prohibited from discriminating based on age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, immigration status, marital status, nationality, parental status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, political beliefs, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity.

For further information regarding Palmdale School District's non-discrimination, sexual harassment and Title IX policies and/or Coordinator contact information, please click the following link: https://www.palmdalesd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=4326699&type=d&pREC_ID=2532815

For further information regarding Palmdale School District’s Personnel Sexual Harassment Board Policy, BP 4119.11, please click the following link: https://4.files.edl.io/c982/03/14/24/221235-151840c2-594e-486f-ad29-e288bcb5b8a8.pdf