Principal Classification Analyst - Extra-Help

Position Information

Bring your deep knowledge of public sector classification and compensation to the County of Sonoma and make a meaningful impact. Starting salary up to $72.94/hour.

Join Our Team

Reporting to the Recruitment & Classification (R&C) Manager, this Principal Classification Analyst position will work with our team of professional and technical staff members to conduct complex classification studies, develop salary recommendations, review departmental reorganization concepts, and serve as a key classification and salary expert. Additional responsibilities include:

• Analyzing the duties of positions and recommending appropriate job classifications or restructuring
• Developing and guiding others in the development of study plans, strategies, and timelines to ensure that all issues are addressed and that each study plan is manageable
• Providing direction and solutions for classification actions that are complex and/or controversial
• Writing job specifications, summary reports of findings, and salary and position recommendations
• Conducting ad hoc salary studies for various purposes
• Meeting with representatives of labor organizations to discuss the impacts of changes to classifications and salaries
• Presenting study recommendations and outcomes to the County Administrator’s Office, the Civil Service Commission, and/or the Board of Supervisors
• Conducting ad hoc salary studies for various purposes

What You Bring

As our ideal candidate, you will demonstrate the ability to quickly assess problems with a solution-oriented, customer-focused approach, possess a high level of integrity, and lead without ego, effectively diffusing difficult situations as they arise. You are highly proficient in the principles and practices of public sector classification and compensation systems. Our ideal candidate is also collaborative, flexible, strategic, tactful, and:

• Has excellent communication skills and can effectively interact with consultants, staff, department heads, County officials, union representatives, and employees
• Possesses strong analytical skills, expert judgment, and a commonsense approach to addressing daily challenges and opportunities
• Demonstrates skills in researching, tracking, analyzing, synthesizing, and interpreting data with the ability to present technical information clearly and concisely, in a compelling way, to a variety of audiences, with a strong emphasis on analytical writing and weaving together disparate/diverse information
• Has superb organizational skills, including the ability to apply complex policies and procedures while meeting multiple competing deadlines
• Possesses high-functioning customer service skills with the ability to effectively address inquiries, coordinate services for various internal and external stakeholders, and maintain collaborative working partnerships with a variety of clients
• Has effective data management skills and is proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite

Extra-Help Employment
Extra-help employees relieve or augment permanent staff. Intermittent, extra-help employees are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most regular employee benefits such as long-term disability insurance coverage, accrual of vacation, participation in the County retirement program, or eligibility to take promotional examinations. Intermittent, extra-help employees are limited in their employment to a maximum of 1,380 hours within any twelve-month consecutive period.Extra-help employees who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage.
This recruitment is being conducted to fill an extra-help Principal Classification Analyst position in the Human Resources Department. The Civil Service title of this position is Supervising Human Resources Analyst.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Training and/or experience that would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, at least three years of increasingly responsible professional human resources experience, including at least one year at the level of Human Resources Analyst III, would provide such opportunity.

Education: Academic coursework which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, substantial coursework in public administration, political science, business administration, human resources management, economics, marketing, psychology, sociology, and/or other related courses would provide such opportunity.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position.

The position advertised on this announcement does not require possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of: modern human resources principles and practices; job analysis; test development, including types of exams, validation methods, item writing, structured behavioral interviewing, and test-related issues such as adverse impact; recruiting methods, including sourcing, marketing, and employment branding; principles and practices of classification and compensation; wage and salary administration; Federal and State employment laws, especially those relating to recruitment, examination, classification, and compensation in the public sector; English composition, grammar, usage, and syntax.

Considerable knowledge of: public sector human resources management policies and practices; human resources information systems; basic statistics sufficient to analyze examination results.

Working knowledge of: principles and practices of supervision and performance management; principles of organization and management applicable to local government; principles and practices of public administration.

Ability to: plan, organize, assign, prioritize, delegate, and coordinate the work of self and others; balance competing priorities; establish performance standards and evaluate performance; coach subordinate staff in order to develop their skills and knowledge; work independently; gather, organize, and analyze data, draw conclusions, and make recommendations; understand, interpret, and apply provisions of applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, memoranda of understanding, and operating procedures; prepare a variety of written documents, such as correspondence, policies, and performance evaluations; explain rules, policies, procedures, and technical concepts; communicate information in verbal and written form to a variety of people; establish and maintain working relationships with colleagues, subordinate staff, representatives of other departments and agencies, and members of the public; maintain objectivity and confidentiality; use a personal computer and standard business software applications, including word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software, e-mail, and Internet search engines; learn and use general and specialized computer applications.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.

Responses to supplemental questions are used to evaluate your qualifications. Please provide sufficient information to allow for a thorough evaluation of your qualifications.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (pass/not pass) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's combination of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position to ensure satisfaction of the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications for the position will be placed on an extra-help employment list and referred to the department. The department may contact candidates from the employment list who possess the most appropriate job-related qualifications for further consideration.

Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: CG

HR Technician: VH

Important Note: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

County of Sonoma Benefits: Management*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .

IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at Labor Agreements & Salary Resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to Human Resources or contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonomacounty.gov or (707) 565-2900.

*Important Notes: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 11/24/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• County of Sonoma

• 707-565-8059

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