Classification & Compensation Consultant

Job Type: Contract / Consulting
Location: Long Beach, CA / Hybrid or Remote as applicable
Client: City of Long Beach, California
Industry: Government / Public Sector
Job Category: Human Resources / Compensation & Classification
Engagement: As-Needed / Project-Based

Job Summary

Seeking an experienced Classification & Compensation Consultant to support the City of Long Beach with professional classification, job analysis, compensation, and labor market studies.

The consultant will conduct assignments ranging from individual position reviews to classification-family, department-wide, and city-wide studies. The role requires strong expertise in public-sector compensation, job classification, position audits, internal equity, salary benchmarking, and data analysis.

The successful candidate will be responsible for producing objective, methodologically sound analyses and clear recommendations that support the City//'s Human Resources Department and internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Classification & Job Analysis

• Conduct classification studies for existing and proposed classifications.
• Review job purpose, essential functions, duties, responsibilities, supervisory scope, and reporting relationships.
• Evaluate required knowledge, skills, abilities, education, experience, and minimum qualifications.
• Conduct position audits through:
  • Position description/questionnaires
  • Document review
  • Incumbent interviews
  • Supervisor interviews
  • Other appropriate data-gathering methods
• Assess positions against existing classifications for appropriate alignment.
• Evaluate career ladders and progression opportunities.
• Identify classification inconsistencies, overlaps, gaps, and organizational needs.
• Analyze internal equity and potential salary compression issues.
• Develop or recommend revisions to classification specifications.
• Update classification documents, including:
  • Classification purpose statements
  • Distinguishing characteristics
  • Examples of duties
  • Minimum qualifications
  • Knowledge, skills, and abilities

Compensation & Market Analysis

• Conduct base salary and/or total compensation studies.
• Perform labor-market research using City-identified comparator agencies.
• Collect, validate, and analyze compensation data.
• Analyze:
  • Base salary
  • Salary ranges
  • Medical benefits
  • Dental benefits
  • Vision benefits
  • Skill-based pay
  • Incentives
  • Other compensation components
• Evaluate external market competitiveness.
• Assess internal compensation relationships and pay equity.
• Identify salary compression and other compensation issues.
• Develop defensible compensation recommendations based on appropriate market data and analytical methodologies.

Reporting & Recommendations

• Prepare comprehensive study reports documenting:
  • Methodology
  • Data sources
  • Job analysis
  • Market data
  • Findings
  • Conclusions
  • Recommendations
• Present study findings to Human Resources and other City stakeholders.
• Explain analytical methodology and compensation recommendations.
• Respond to questions regarding study findings and methodology.
• Provide clear, objective, and actionable recommendations.

Project & Stakeholder Management

• Participate in project kickoff meetings and regular status meetings.
• Work closely with the City//'s Human Resources Department.
• Coordinate interviews and information gathering with departments, supervisors, and employees.
• Manage multiple assignments with varying scope, complexity, and timelines.
• Communicate project status, risks, issues, and dependencies.
• Maintain accurate project documentation and data.
• Deliver assignments within agreed-upon timelines and quality standards.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience providing classification and compensation studies specifically for public-sector/public-agency organizations.
• Experience supporting public agencies with complex organizational structures.
• Experience conducting classification studies and job analysis.
• Experience conducting position audits and reviewing job descriptions.
• Experience performing salary and/or total compensation studies.
• Experience conducting labor-market and salary benchmarking analyses.
• Strong understanding of internal equity, pay compression, job evaluation, and compensation structures.
• Demonstrated expertise in data analysis.
• Proficiency with advanced analytical tools and software relevant to classification and compensation studies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to develop defensible analytical findings and recommendations.
• Ability to manage multiple projects or assignments simultaneously.
• Experience working directly with HR leadership and public-sector stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with municipal governments or California public agencies.
• Experience supporting Police, Fire, Public Safety, or other specialized classifications.
• Experience conducting city-wide or enterprise-wide classification and compensation studies.
• Experience working with public-sector salary surveys and comparator agencies.
• Knowledge of public-sector compensation practices and classification systems.
• Experience with career ladder and classification progression analysis.
• Experience analyzing total compensation and employee benefits.
• Experience presenting findings to executive leadership, HR teams, or governing bodies.
• Bachelor//'s or Master//'s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Compensation, or a related field is preferred.

Core Skills

Classification & Compensation

• Classification Studies
• Compensation Studies
• Job Analysis
• Job Evaluation
• Position Audits
• Salary Benchmarking
• Total Compensation Analysis
• Internal Equity
• Pay Compression
• Career Ladder Analysis
• Salary Structure Analysis

Public Sector

• Municipal Government
• Public Agency
• Public-Sector HR
• Government Compensation
• Public Safety Classifications
• Police & Fire Classification
• California Public Sector

Analytics

• Compensation Data Analysis
• Labor Market Analysis
• Statistical Analysis
• Market Pricing
• Data Validation
• Compensation Modeling
• Excel / Advanced Excel
• HRIS / Compensation Analytics Tools

Consulting

• HR Consulting
• Stakeholder Management
• Project Management
• Report Writing
• Presentation Skills
• Requirements Gathering
• Interview Facilitation
• Executive Communication

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a public-sector compensation and classification specialist with hands-on experience conducting job analysis, position audits, salary studies, and classification reviews.

Candidates should be comfortable working independently with HR teams, department leaders, supervisors, and employees; analyzing complex compensation data; conducting market benchmarking; and translating findings into clear, defensible recommendations.

Experience with municipal government, public safety, Police/Fire classifications, and California public-sector organizations is highly desirable.

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