Limited Term HR Analyst / Sr HR Analyst at Mesa Water District (Mesa Water) – Costa Mesa, California

Mesa Water District (Mesa Water) is now hiring a Limited Term Human Resources Analyst / Senior Human Resources Analyst! This is an ideal assignment for a seasoned HR professional who thrives on complex projects, strategic problem-solving, and meaningful collaboration. In this role, you’ll be at the center of recruitment, classification and compensation, employee and labor relations, policy development, and HR analytics, partnering closely with leadership to support a dynamic public agency. If you enjoy rolling up your sleeves, exercising sound judgment, and making a visible difference in how an organization supports its people, this focused, time-limited role offers a rewarding opportunity to make an immediate impact. This Limited-Term Human Resources Analyst / Senior Human Resources Analyst opportunity is designed to provide coverage during a maternity leave, with an estimated duration of approximately one year.

The Ideal Candidate Will:

• Be an experienced HR professional with a background in public sector recruitment, class/comp and labor relations who can step in quickly and confidently.
• Thrive in a fast-paced public sector environment and comfortably manage multiple complex priorities with minimal direction.
• Exercise sound, independent judgment when handling sensitive and confidential matters.
• Enjoy partnering with leadership and serving as a trusted advisor on HR policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Be highly analytical, with the ability to research issues, interpret data, and translate findings into clear recommendations.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with employees at all levels, bargaining units, and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate a collaborative, service-oriented approach while maintaining appropriate discretion and boundaries.
• Be adaptable, solution-focused, and comfortable jumping into projects already in progress.
• Take pride in producing high-quality work that is accurate, thoughtful, and timely.

This recruitment is open on a continuous basis until filled, with the deadline for initial review occurring February 25, 2026 at 11:59PM.

• Manages and coordinates highly complex and difficult projects; provides staff assistance to management and performs duties of a sensitive and confidential nature.
• Performs recruitment activities including but not limited to development of recruitment plans and strategies, advertising, obtaining job-related testing materials, preparing interview packets, contacting raters, and preparing related correspondence; conducts reference checks.
• Participates in maintaining the District’s classification system; researches and analyzes information for reclassification studies; evaluates and determines appropriate classifications and structures; prepares written reports and recommendations; develops new and revises existing classification specifications.
• Participates in maintaining the District’s compensation system; participates in conducting wage, salary, and benefit studies and surveys for the purpose of compensation administration; assumes responsibility for the administration and maintenance of salary and benefit database; compiles data and prepares written reports including recommendations for action.
• Participates in the development and monitoring of the annual performance evaluation process; implements pay increases.
• Reviews District practices for compliance with applicable laws, regulations, standards, and District policies and procedures; assists staff in the interpretation and application of personnel policies and procedures; recommends policy and procedure changes to comply with standards/regulations, correct deficiencies.
• Participates in labor contract negotiations and meet and confer sessions; assists with the preparation of management proposals and cost analysis; develops contract language; researches labor relations issues.
• Addresses employee relations issues; provides sound coaching to employees, plans, conducts, and coordinates personnel investigations and pre-disciplinary meetings.
• Responds to inquiries from outside agencies, applicants, employees, and members of the public in a courteous manner; provides information within the area of assignment; resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
• Conducts research, analyzes data, and prepares written and statistical reports and recommendations for a variety of human resource issues and topics; prepares or assists in the preparation of Board and committee items, reports, requests for proposals, budgets, policies, charts, and graphs; updates and revises written directives, rules, and regulations and various handbooks as appropriate.
• Participates in budget forecasting including evaluating applicable cost information.
• Recommends, develops, coordinates, and presents a wide variety of employee development and recognition programs; develops and provides training to staff.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Human Resources Analyst

• Education: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in personnel administration, business administration, public administration, or related field.

• Experience: Three (3) to five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional human resources experience.

Senior Human Resources Analyst

Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of the functions, programs, and operations of a Human Resources department; principles, practices, and procedures of public employment human resources administration including in the areas of employee health and welfare benefits administration, recruitment and selection, workers’ compensation, and related functions.
• Resources to sustain current understanding of modern trends and legal issues in the field of human resource management; excellent knowledge of employment laws such as FMLA, COBRA, ADA, and other federal and state laws, codes, and regulations. Human Resources Information Systems (i.e., NeoGov).
• Principles and practices of fiscal, statistical, and administrative research and report preparation; principles and procedures of records management and records retention systems; principles of business letter writing and report preparation.
• Principles of coaching, performance management and employee/labor relations; strong business and Human Resources acumen, including problem solving skills, critical thinking, and analysis.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination.
• Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software packages) to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation.

Ability To:

• Perform professional human resources work with minimum supervision; understand the organization and operation of the District and of outside agencies to assume assigned responsibilities; understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Make complete and accurate analyses, reports, and recommendations in a variety of personnel areas; understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Effectively represent the District to employees and outside individuals and agencies; respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, District staff, or other agencies on sensitive issues in area of responsibility; communicate and interact in situations requiring tact, instruction, persuasion, and counseling including conferences, group discussion, individual interviews, and negotiations.
• Analyze data and information using established criteria, determine consequences and identify and select alternatives; advise and provide interpretation regarding the application of policies, procedures, and standards to specific situations.
• Formulate and conduct presentations to employees, supervisors, and department managers; listen and ability to relate to, influence, and coach employees of all levels in the organization.
• Utilize a variety of advisory data, information, and forms including applications, compliance reports, enrollment forms, exit interviews, check lists, proposals, manuals, statutes, laws, training materials, budget reports, policies, policies and procedures, and correspondence.
• Interpret basic descriptive statistical reports.
• Maintain sensitive and confidential information.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines; exercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality in maintaining critical and sensitive information, records, and reports.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.