About Us

Human Resources is an internal service department and our customers are other City departments. Our job is to provide the support they need to assist them in accomplishing their service objectives, and to ensure that salaries, benefits, and working conditions are competitive enough to attract, retain and motivate our employees.

The Human Resources Department is organized into seven bureaus aside from the Executive Office (not a bureau): Administration, City Safety, Labor Relations, Personnel Operations, Risk & Occupational Health Services, Systems Management, and Talent Management. 

Our Bureaus:

Executive Office:

The Executive Office provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for the Department of Human Resources. Led by the Director of Human Resources, the Executive Office establishes departmental priorities, advances citywide human resources initiatives, and ensures the effective delivery of services across all bureaus and divisions. The office provides executive oversight of departmental operations, policy development, organizational strategy, and employee benefits and administrative functions while fostering collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence in support of the City's workforce.

Administration:

The HR Administration Bureau comprises three divisions: Administration, Financial Services, and Classification & Compensation. Together, these divisions support more than 230 employees and commissioners across the Human Resources Department and the City Manager's Office by managing the bureau's internal administrative operations. Their responsibilities include budgeting, accounting, payroll, procurement, internal recruitment, classification and compensation, personnel support, and internal communications. The bureau also oversees HR's annual budget, conducts classification and compensation studies and position reviews to ensure equitable and consistent citywide job classifications and pay structures, and provides staff with the resources, tools, and information needed to effectively serve the organization.

City Safety

The City's Safety Bureau provides leadership for the effective delivery and continuous improvement of safety for City of Long Beach employees.  Safety is an essential component of any business.  In order to provide a safe and hazard-free workplace for our employees, many core functions come into play.  Such functions include, conducting safety inspections and audits of field crews and facilities, performing industrial hygiene and indoor air quality surveys, providing training, policy development and thorough record keeping to name a few.  In addition, any and all issues pertaining to Cal-OSHA rules and regulations are addressed in-house.

Labor Relations:

The Labor Relations Bureau fosters a collaborative, compliant, and productive work environment by managing citywide labor negotiations, administering grievance procedures, ensuring compliance with applicable labor laws and the City's Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), and maintaining positive relationships between the City, its employees, and labor organizations. The bureau serves as the City's primary liaison to its eleven recognized employee organizations, representing 27 bargaining units and more than 6,000 employees. Through strong labor-management partnerships, the bureau promotes collaboration, employee engagement, organizational effectiveness, and high-quality public service.

Personnel Operations:

The Personnel Operations Bureau comprises four divisions: Personnel Services, Employee Benefits, and Return to Work, and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). Together, these divisions provide comprehensive human resources services that support employees throughout their careers. The bureau oversees employee relations, personnel transactions, policy development and interpretation, records management, employee benefits administration, return-to-work programs, and the City's Equal Employment Opportunity program. By ensuring compliance with employment laws, administering equitable workplace practices, facilitating workplace accommodations, and delivering employee-centered programs and services, the bureau promotes employee well-being, organizational effectiveness, and a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace.

Risk & Occupational Health Services:

The Risk & Occupational Health Services Bureau comprises three divisions: Occupational Health, Workers' Compensation, and Risk Management. Together, these divisions promote a safe, healthy, and resilient workplace by providing occupational health services, administering workers' compensation programs, managing workplace safety initiatives, and implementing comprehensive risk management strategies. The bureau supports employees through injury prevention, medical services, regulatory compliance, workplace safety and return-to-work coordination, while protecting the City's workforce, assets, and operations through proactive risk assessment, preparedness, and appropriate insurance and loss prevention practices.

Systems Management:

The Systems Management Bureau plans, implements, and oversees the technology solutions that support the Department of Human Resources. The bureau manages human resources and personnel systems, drives process improvements and system enhancements, and ensures the secure, efficient, and compliant administration of technology that supports workforce operations, personnel transactions, data integrity, and service delivery across the organization.

Talent Management:

The Talent Management Bureau comprises two divisions: Talent Acquisition and Organizational Development. Together, these divisions partner with City departments to attract, develop, and retain a high-performing workforce. The bureau oversees strategic talent acquisition, recruitment and hiring, learning and development, leadership programs, performance management, and organizational consulting. Through innovative workforce strategies and employee development initiatives, the bureau promotes organizational excellence, continuous learning, employee engagement, and an exceptional experience for candidates, employees, and hiring managers.