Yuba City Hall, where dozens of employees are served by the Personnel Board, which oversees many human resources matters. Photo courtesy of Yuba City

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - Personnel matters are touchy.

Handling workforce issues requires unique skills that the Yuba City Personnel Board seeks in new members.

Yuba City Human Resources Director Natalie Springer explains that the five-member Personnel Board, which is filling upcoming vacancies, is an independent group appointed by city council members who can serve in various ways. 

"One example is the Personnel Board holding hearings for employees relative to disciplinary actions or alleged violations of the provisions of the municipal code or the personnel rules," Springer said. "This impartial board, with its own attorney, objectively analyzes complex issues facing the city and employees."

Personnel Board Brian Betschart, Air Force veteran and Sutter Medical Foundation Human Resource representative, said he is impartial when hearing employee appeals regarding disciplinary actions or alleged violations of the Yuba City personnel rules.

"One of the objectives in a hearing is for the employee to be able to share their side of the case," Betschart said. "The board's role is to review the city policies and procedures to ensure the city has applied the policy in a fair and equitable manner."

Personnel Board Harman Rai said members also oversee other human resource issues, including hiring and promotions. 

"Serving on the Personnel Board in Yuba City is critical for ensuring fair, transparent, and accountability in employee matters," Rai said. "It helps maintain a level playing field for all employees, ensures compliance with relevant laws and regulations, and provides a structured process for resolving disputes."

Betschart said he never knows what direction to decide before a hearing.

"I always make sure I review the policy and procedures presented by the city as well as the information presented by the employee before I attempt to make any type of decision," Betschart said. "As a board, we review and discuss the testimony given and come to a consensus on whether the city applied its policy and procedures appropriately."

Rai said being on the board teaches members "valuable insight into creating and promoting a safe working environment," with transparent communication with the principle "to hold ourselves and our community accountable."

According to Betschart, an essential aspect of any employee-employer relationship is communication, so employees feel heard.

"As a part of the Yuba City community, I've learned how important it is to take care of the employees who take care of our city by ensuring that fair and equitable action is taken against them," Betschart said. "This is one way I can use my HR expertise and give back to the community."

As the head of the city's human resources department, Springer said being a Personnel Board offers an "opportunity to earn and understand matters affecting local government and employees."

Understanding these matters has deepened Rai's connection to the community. The board member says, "With this firsthand knowledge of qualitative and quantitative variables, I am able to better understand issues and challenges that the community may be facing."

"This inside look into real-time issues then gives me a chance to create a path forward to resolve issues in a fair and accountable way, which is directly in line to promote a stronger, unified, and more growth forward community," Rai said.

The Yuba City Personnel Board is now accepting applications until May 17. To apply, please call (530) 822-4610.