Associate Vice President

Human Resources

Job # 554938

Close Date: April 12, 2026

At Cal Poly Humboldt, bold hearts and open minds shape the future.

Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers. Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs. Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands-on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world.

Cal Poly Humboldt is proud to have more than 6,200 students of all backgrounds spread across 58 majors, 14 graduate programs, and 4 credential programs — all of whom contribute passion and creativity within their fields and set the stage for a future grounded in equity and sustainability. Hands-on learning, inspired teaching, ground-breaking research, and thought-provoking creative activity happen daily at Humboldt.

Finding a better future is a task for the bold and open, the down-to-earth and visionary. Cal Poly Humboldt strives to cultivate these qualities in leaders, innovators, and scholars in every field.

(Job # 554938) Administrator III, Associate Vice President, Human Resources, CSU Classification Salary Range: $6,891– $22,119 per month, Anticipated Hiring Range: $6,891 - $17,063 per month. Final salary placement is commensurate with experience, internal equity, and budget considerations.  This is a full-time, benefited, exempt, 12-month, at-will position in the Human Resources Department. This position is an Administrator III in the California State University Management Personnel Plan (MPP). Under this plan, incumbents are subject to normal management reviews and serve at the pleasure of the University President. Additional information can be found at: http://www.calstate.edu/HRAdm/policies/mpp.shtml.

This position comes with a premium benefits package that includes outstanding vacation, medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, voluntary pre-tax health and dependent care reimbursement accounts, a fee waiver education program, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and 15 paid holidays per year. Additional benefits information can be found at https://www.humboldt.edu/hr/employee-benefits.

 

Position Summary:

The Associate Vice President (AVP), Human Resources (HR) develops and implements the university’s human resources strategy in support of the university’s strategic plan. The AVP HR is a human resources partner and advisor to Cal Poly Humboldt’s senior leaders on human resources matters. The AVP HR leads the Office of Human Resources and provides strategic and day-to-day oversight of the university’s HR functions. This position provides the vision and strategic leadership necessary for planning and implementing innovative, integrated human resource programs.

Reporting to the Vice President for Administration and Finance, the AVP HR provides leadership and direction to professional and support staff. This leadership enables the development of university-wide human resource strategies implemented through key functional areas including employee relations, compliance, organizational learning and professional development, benefits, recruitment, classification and compensation, and payroll.

 

Key Responsibilities:

Human Resources Management and Administration - 70%

Leadership Responsibilities

Lead all core Human Resources areas including employee relations, compliance, organizational learning and professional development, benefits, recruitment, classification and compensation, and payroll. Serves as a key partner to leadership, providing strategic counsel on workforce planning, talent management, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness.

Guide a team of human resources professionals and ensure that the department provides high-quality, timely, and transparent service to the campus community. Serves as a visible, trusted partner, building relationships through active listening and collaboration, while identifying opportunities to streamline processes, improve policies, and enhance service delivery.

Promote a culture that integrates and empowers Human Resources staff, supports cross-functional collaboration, and strengthens communications and relationship building efforts throughout the campus community.

Employee Relations:

Provide leadership in navigating labor and employee relations, building collaborative relationships with unions, address employee grievances, conduct investigations into workplace misconduct, and resolve complex personnel matters, while promoting a culture of accountability and professionalism.

• Oversee contract interpretation of grievance procedures

• Advise and assist President's Office, President's designees, and managers on handling of grievances and grievance responses

• Represent University at arbitration and PERB hearings

Organizational Structure:

• Advise and assist administrators on department organization issues, such as supervision, classification, assignment of duties, best use of current staff, dynamics of the unit, campus equity, etc.

Employee Performance/Development:

• Serve as resource for managers and supervisors on work performance issues/resolutions and contract interpretation regarding evaluation process.

Compensation and Classification:

• Maintain and interpret campus guidelines and procedures for compensating staff employees and describing and classifying positions

• Lead and conduct in-depth salary analyses to assess internal equity, market competitiveness, and compliance with CSU, state, and collective bargaining requirements. Interpret complex compensation data to inform leadership, support strategic workforce planning, and develop evidence-based recommendations.

• Maintain and interpret campus guidelines and procedures for compensating staff employees and describing and classifying positions

• Participate in review of draft classification standards for the Chancellor's Office

• Oversight of Independent Contractor requests to ensure ongoing compliance with AB5 and Chancellor’s Office regulations. Make recommendations when needed for alternative options.

Staff and Administrative Recruitment Program

• Ensure that all staff and administrative recruitments comply with all laws, regulations and policies governing the hiring process, including maintenance of appropriate documentation
• Respond to questions and concerns from campus management regarding recruitment and employment standards
• Provide recruitment strategies that will create diverse applicant pools

EEO/Compliance Officer – 20%

• Ensure compliance with federal and state law, as well as CSU systemwide policies, in coordination with University Counsel.
• Coordinate all Equal Employment activities for the campus, including:
• Mandatory Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
• Affirmative Action Report
• Whistleblower Complaints and Protections
• Civil Rights Complaints and Investigations

Administrative Oversight – 20%

• Budget
• Attendance
• Internal Office Policies/Procedures
• Performance Evaluation Review

Other Duties as Assigned – 5%

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Associated with this Position Include:

• Demonstrated knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and labor-management relations.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing and resolving civil rights complaints and investigations, in compliance with federal, state, and CSU requirements.
• Understanding of payroll systems and administration
• Must have an understanding of academic/faculty, staff, and student employment in a shared governance environment.
• Strong commitment to service and personal accountability.
• Demonstrated record of building and maintaining strong, trusting and collaborative relationships across organizational lines.
• Demonstrated history of building a strong and cohesive team that excels in customer service and support.
• Demonstrated success in a service-focused environment and commitment to customer engagement.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels of an organization.
• Strong writing and presentation skills, with the ability to create effective communications for broad public distribution.
• Outstanding analytic skills and demonstrated ability to apply data to program and operational design to strategically drive organizational change.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, management, and supervisory experience. Ability to successfully formulate and implement forward-thinking strategies.
• Ability to develop and inspire a diverse professional staff.
• Ability to develop, lead and manage the design and implementation of human resources management functions and projects in a complex and unionized organization.
• Ability to represent the University effectively and professionally. 
• Demonstrated interest and/or ability to work in a multicultural/multiethnic environment.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Experience

• Six (6) years of experience in:

• A broad knowledge of human resource functions as well as management experience acquired through increasingly responsible positions over a period of not less than five years in a college/university of comparable size and complexity; state or federal government agency; or the private sector.
• Three (3) or more of the following HR functions: HR strategy, HR leadership, talent acquisition, classification and compensation, benefits, onboarding, engagement, performance management, succession planning, learning and development, organization development, HR technology change management, union and labor relations, and HR compliance
• Experience with collective bargaining agreements and labor- management relations
• Scaling HR functions for evolution and growth
• Experience as a program builder and as an effective champion for organizational change
• Verifiable reputation for a collaborative, people-centered work approach

*Note: A combination of additional qualifying experience, education, and HR certifications may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree from an accredited college or university in a related field.
• Professional HR Certification such as SHRM and/or SPHR-CA, or equivalent.
• Experience working in a college or university setting with a diverse and unionized workforce, and familiarity with labor relations, union environments, and California employment law.
• Leadership experience in higher education
• Demonstrated record of being an effective communicator who can successfully support and advance issues that impact faculty, staff, administrators, students, and the University in general
• Familiarity with the California State University System
• Experience handling grievances, investigations, and Civil Rights Complaints
• Experience with PeopleSoft HRIS systems
• 10 years of strong generalist Human Resources experience across all functional disciplines with increasing levels of responsibility

Application Procedure: To apply, qualified candidates must electronically submit the following materials by clicking the Apply Now button:

• Letter of Interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for at least three supervisory references

Application Deadline: The deadline to submit application materials is 11:55 p.m. on April 12, 2026.

Any inquiries about this recruitment can be directed to careers@humboldt.edu or Cal Poly Humboldt’s Human Resources Office at (707) 826-3626.

We acknowledge that Cal Poly Humboldt is located on the unceded lands of the Wiyot people, where they have resided from time immemorial. We encourage all to gain a deeper understanding of their history and thriving culture. As an expression of our gratitude, we are genuinely committed to developing trusting, reciprocal, and long-lasting partnerships with the Wiyot people as well as all of our neighboring tribes. Cal Poly Humboldt was the first campus in the California State University system to offer a stand-alone major in Native American Studies.

Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to enriching its educational environment and its culture through the diversity of its staff, faculty, and administration. Persons with interest and experience in helping organizations set and achieve goals relative to diversity and inclusion are especially encouraged to apply.

Working in the state of California is a condition of employment for this position. Even if part or all of an employee's assignment can be performed remotely, the employee must maintain a permanent residence in the state of California. The employee must be able to accept on-campus work assignment, as assigned, and come to campus when needed.

CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measure established by each campus. The systemwide policy can be found at CSU Vaccination Policy and any questions you have may be submitted to hr@humboldt.edu.

Cal Poly Humboldt hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. This position may be considered a “Campus Security Authority”, pursuant to the Clery Act, and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1107 a condition of employment.

CAL POLY HUMBOLDT IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

Evidence of required degree(s), certification(s), or license(s) is required prior to the appointment date. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check, employment verification, and education verification) is required for employment. Cal Poly Humboldt will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or if it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Certain positions may also require a credit check, motor vehicle report, and/or fingerprinting through Live Scan service. Failure to satisfactorily complete or adverse findings from a background check may affect the employment status of candidates or continued employment of current CSU employees who are being considered for the position.

This position is a “designated position” in the California State University’s Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.” In reference to the full disclosure letter, please refer to HR 2010-08.

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, the Cal Poly Humboldt provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly Humboldt complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.  Cal Poly Humboldt is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly Humboldt, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Mandated Reporting: This position may be considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Additionally, all CSU staff and faculty receive training annually on their obligations in responding to and reporting incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence. You will be notified by email when you are required to take this mandated training.

Class Code: 3306
Publication Date: March 13, 2026