RESOLUTION NO. 2025-018
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VERNON
APPOINTING SU W. TAN TO SERVE AS THE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN
RESOURCES OF THE CITY OF VERNON AND APPROVING AND
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A RELATED AT-WILL
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
SECTION 1. Recitals.
A. The Director of Human Resources position has been vacant since October 2024.
B. On October 1, 2024, the City Council of the City of Vernon adopted Resolution No. 2024-021 appointing an Interim Director of Human Resources until the City completed its recruitment process and filled the position on a permanent basis.
C. On or about August 21, 2024, the City retained the services of Bob Murray & Associates (Bob Murray) to conduct a recruitment for the position of Director of Human Resources of Vernon.
D. Bob Murray created an executive recruitment brochure for the position (attached hereto as Exhibit A) and conducted a broad and extensive recruitment that included multiple screenings and interviews of numerous applicants.
E. The top five candidates participated in a dual panel interview process on April 28, 2025, and the top four candidates moved forward to a final interview with the City Administrator.
F. The City Administrator of the City of Vernon has determined Su W. Tan (Tan) to be the most qualified candidate for the position of Director of Human Resources and desires to appoint Tan to serve as the Director of Human Resources, effective June 30, 2025.
G. At its regular City Council meeting on June 3, 2025, prior to taking final action to adopt this resolution, the City Council received an oral report summarizing the recommended appointment and compensation, in accordance with Government Code Section 54953(c)(3).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VERNON AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 2. The City Council of the City of Vernon finds and determines that the above recitals are true and correct.
SECTION 3. The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby appoints Su W. Tan to serve as the Director of Human Resources, effective June 30, 2025.
SECTION 4. The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby approves and authorizes the execution of the At-Will Employment Agreement with Su W. Tan to serve as Director of Human Resources of the City of Vernon, in substantially the same form as attached hereto as Exhibit B.
SECTION 5. The City Clerk, or any authorized officer, shall administer the Oath of Office prescribed in the Constitution of the State of California to Tan and shall have her subscribe to it and file it with the Human Resources Department.
SECTION 6. The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby directs the City Clerk, or the City Clerk’s designee, to give a fully executed Agreement to Tan.
SECTION 7. All resolutions or parts of resolutions not consistent with or in conflict with this resolution are hereby repealed.
SECTION 8. The City Clerk or Deputy City Clerk shall certify the passage and adoption of this resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED June 3, 2025.
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JUDITH MERLO, Mayor
ATTEST:
GENOVEVA ROCHA, City Clerk
(seal)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ZAYNAH N. MOUSSA, City Attorney
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DIRECTOR OF
HUMAN RESOURCES
Exhibit A
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THE COMMUNITY
The City of Vernon is a dynamic full-service
city of 5.2 square miles located about
five miles to the southeast of downtown
Los Angeles. Founded in 1905 as the first
exclusively industrial city in the Southwestern
United States, Vernon is home to 250 residents
and has embarked on ambitious plans to increase its
residential population and establish itself as an ideal place to live and work. The City currently houses more than 1,800 businesses that employ approximately 50,000 people, serving as a vital economic engine for the Southern California region. Vernon offers an environment uniquely friendly to business and has a diverse industry makeup comprising many Fortune 500 companies in industries that include food and agriculture, apparel, steel, plastics, logistics and home furnishings. Through the City’s implementation of more than 150 good governance reforms, Vernon – the City that has characterized itself as “Exclusively Industrial” for almost 120 years – has firmly established itself as a model city for good governance. Vernon maintains strong philanthropic ties with the neighboring communities where much of its workforce lives, providing significant support for public services through the City’s CommUNITY Fund grants for programs in areas such as health care and education. The City has embarked on aggressive plans for its future as it moves towards increasing its residential population, more balanced land uses, and mitigating industrial impacts in the region. With Vernon’s proximity to downtown Los Angeles and major regional and worldwide economic markets and industries, unique opportunities exist in the community to address regional housing shortages while establishing itself as an ideal place to both live and work.
THE ORGANIZATION
The five members of the Vernon City Council are elected at large, on a non-partisan basis, for five-year staggered terms and no person may serve more than two full terms of office. The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem positions are rotated annually among Council Members in order of election. The City’s approved budget for FY 2024-2025 is just over $402 million (including Utility Enterprise Funds). The General Fund budget is approximately $84 million. The City employs a little over 225 employees to staff the following departments: City Administration, the Office of the City Attorney, Office of the
City Clerk, Human Resources
Department, Police Department, Finance Department,
Public Works Department,
Public Utilities Department and Health and
Environmental Control
Department. Established by city ordinance
in 1907, Vernon is
one of four cities in
California with a local Health
Department. Vernon Public Utilities
is a three-time National American
Public Power Association Diamond
level RP3 Award-winning utility and
provides reliable and low-cost
Electricity, Fiber Optic Internet Service,
Natural Gas (transmission & distribution), and Water. Uniquely serviceoriented, Vernon is the only California city that operates its own local
Health Department, and Public Utility
providing electric, natural gas, water,
and fiber optic internet services.
THE POSITION
Under limited supervision, the Director
of Human Resources directs a comprehensive Citywide human resources program, including planning, coordinating, and directing the operations and activities of the Human Resources
Department which includes recruitment and staffing, classification and compensation, employee benefits,
organizational development, safety,
training, employee/labor relations,
workers compensation and regulatory
compliance. The Director provides
expert professional assistance and
guidance to City management on
human resources and employee
relations matters and works in a
cooperative and interest-based
manner with employees and their
representatives to resolve concerns.
Essential duties and responsibilities
may include, but are not limited to:
• Managing the Human Resources
Department through effective
planning and fiscal management;
providing leadership, direction
and guidance in human resources
strategies and priorities; evaluating and analyzing issues and recommending and implementing
solutions; monitoring and assuring
human resources activities and
procedures are in compliance
with all laws, policies, and regulations.
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• Providing advice and consultation to management and
employees on dispute resolution, performance issues,
and the interpretation and
correct application of
policies and procedures;
mediating employee
relations issues and
assisting with disciplinary
actions, while exercising
the highest degree of
confidentiality and professionalism.
• Counseling City staff on personnel
policies, procedures and processes;
interpreting and providing advice and assistance
regarding employment issues; assuring the consistent interpretation and application of Federal, state and City rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Managing HR staff, prioritizing projects, evaluating performance, and resolving workload and technical issues; assuring that appropriate services are provided.
• Providing leadership and direction for all labor relations activities including contract negotiations.
• Representing the HR functions to other City departments, elected officials and ancillary agencies; providing recommendations and solutions as needed.
• Monitoring changes in proposed legislation and making recommendations affecting personnel, benefits, and workers’ compensation matters.
• Directing research of new theories, best practices
and/or trends in human resources administration
that will enhance the performance and productivity
of the department.
• Keeping abreast of current principles and practices
of effective human resources management including
automation and technology, labor relations, benefits,
and employee development.
• Directing the technical recordkeeping process and
procedures; assuring the absolute confidentiality of
work-related issues, personnel records and City information; assuring compliance with the confidentiality standards of the Privacy Act of 1974.
• Supporting the relationship between the City of Vernon and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with visitors and City staff; maintaining confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performing other duties as required or assigned.
THE IDEAL
CANDIDATE
The City of Vernon is seeking an
engaged, flexible, and compassionate candidate to serve as the next Director of Human Resources.
The ideal candidate has a customer
service mindset along with a track
record of advocating for employees.
A seasoned and approachable
candidate who has the ability to
develop and implement appropriate
procedures and controls is desired.
Candidates must also possess
knowledge of principles and practices of labor management relations, including negotiation and contract
administration techniques; federal,
state, and local laws, regulations,
and court decisions applicable to
assigned areas of responsibility;
and principles and practices of
public administration, including budgeting, purchasing, and maintenance of public records. The incoming
Director of Human Resources
should possess excellent communication skills and must have the ability to consult effectively with
executives, other directors, and
managers to develop solutions
to complex organizational
and people management
issues.
The ideal candidate is
an adaptable and proven labor negotiator
who can represent
the City effectively
while establishing and
maintaining effective working relationships with all levels of City management, employee
organizations, other governmental
officials, employees, and the public.
A responsive, collaborative, and
passionate candidate is desired.
The incoming Director of Human
Resources should be proactive
with the ability to bring balance
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and build trust in the department. Qualified candidates possess a Bachelor’s degree with a major in Human
Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; AND five years of professional Human Resources program
management experience, preferably in public sector operations.
A Master’s degree in Human Resources or Business Administration is desirable. A valid California State Driver’s License is required.
COMPENSATION AND
BENEFITS
The annual salary range for the Director of Human Resources position is $199,063 - $241,963. Placement within this range depends upon qualifications and experience. The City also offers an excellent benefits package including vacation, holiday, sick, and administrative leave; life insurance; and medical, dental, and vision insurance. 2025 aggregate allowance of up to $2,194.03 per month for family coverage.
This position also receives a $400 per month auto allowance. Pre-tax supplemental insurance plans are offered through AFLAC, Colonial Life, and Mutual of Omaha; there is an option to participate in a Section 125 IRS Plan for reimbursement of dependent care and medical costs; retirement benefits are offered through the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), with a 2.7% at 55 formula for classic members (classic employees currently pay an 8% employee contribution and a 3% share of the employer contribution) and a 2% at 62 retirement formula for new members (currently new employees pay a 7% contribution); 457 deferred compensation plan available at employee cost; the City does not participate in Social Security; credit union membership also available.
The City has a 4/10 work schedule and there is an option for participation in a Hybrid Work Program that provides both onsite and remote work opportunities.
TO APPLY
If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, please apply online at:
www.bobmurrayassoc.com
Filing Deadline:
March 23, 2025
Following the closing date, resumes
will be screened according to the
qualifications outlined above. The
most qualified candidates will be
invited to personal interviews with
Bob Murray & Associates. A select
group of candidates will be asked
to provide references once it is
anticipated that they may be recommended as finalists. References will be contacted only following
candidate approval. Finalist interviews
will be held with the City of Vernon.
Candidates will be advised of the
status of the recruitment following
selection of the Director of Human
Resources.
If you have any questions, please do
not hesitate to call Ms. Valerie Phillips
at:
(916) 784-9080
.
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Exhibit B
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