Senior Human Resources Officer (Program Manager)
Are you skilled in building relationships, advising others, motivating teams, and managing projects? We're seeking an experienced Senior Human Resources Officer (Program Manager) to lead labor and employee relations for the City of San Diego. This role involves developing and implementing HR policies and programs, representing the City in labor negotiations, presenting materials for the Mayor, Council, and City Management, acting as a liaison with employee organizations, and supporting department needs.
After onboarding, hybrid work may be available at 1200 Third Avenue, San Diego. The position reports to the Supervising Human Resources Officer and may gain supervisory duties in the future.
Key Areas of Responsibilities:
Program Leadership
- Oversees daily HR operations.
- Manages multiple priorities and projects.
- Leads HR initiatives and process changes.
- Works with other departments on training and development.
- Presents in meetings and briefings
- Prepare, review and present materials for the Mayor, Council, and City Management for purposes of meetings and briefings (e.g., Council Meetings and Closed Sessions).
- Values diversity.
- Handles diverse assignments while maintaining focus on key goals.
- Excels at prioritizing and organizing.
- Pays close attention to detail and solves problems analytically.
- Motivated and proactive.
Business Partner
- Builds credibility and develops trusted relationship with City leaders.
- Consults with leadership to develop and implement strategic objectives.
- Implements HR programs and organization design as needed.
- Utilizes metrics to identify trends and build an HR strategy for assigned tasks.
Labor Relations
- Applies expertise in labor laws, City policies, MOUs, and best practices to resolve complex employee or union issues.
- Advises stakeholders on Federal, State (CA), and Meyers-Milias-Brown Act compliance for labor relations.
- Leads successor MOU negotiations.
- Facilitates meet-and-confer sessions with recognized employee organizations.
- Prepares important communications and presentations on labor negotiations for City leadership and employee groups.
- Provides policy advice and communication strategies to department management.
- Facilitates Labor Management Committee meetings.
- Delivers employment trainings and offers ongoing support to supervisory staff.
- May assist with contracting-out protocols.
- Supports change management initiatives.
- Maintains positive relationships with REOs.
Employee Relations
- Act as primary liaison to City Departments and provide guidance and policy advice to department management and employees on various employment issues, as well as the application and interpretation of employment laws, City policies, regulations, and MOUs.
- Review and provide guidance on progressive and property rights level disciplinary actions and appeals.
- Advise and assist departments with complex investigations.
- Provide guidance and support to department management and employees regarding the grievance process and resolution.
- Facilitate human resource related trainings and provide ongoing mentoring and support to department management staff.
Skills & Abilities:
- Demonstrated confidence in public speaking and experience in conducting human resources-related trainings.
- Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment and make sound consequential judgements based on available information.
- Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Possess a high level of sensitivity and professional demeanor toward department management, employees, and REOs.
- Ability to effectively manage conflict, and to develop and maintain effective working relationships with department management, employees, labor union leadership, and the public.
- Experience handling discipline matters and conducting investigations resulting in conflict resolution.
- Strong political acumen.
Desirable Qualifications:
- A Master's degree in human resources management, public administration, or a closely related field is highly desired.
- Professional certifications related to human resources (i.e., CLRM, PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, IPMA, etc.).
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
- 35 years of relevant HR management experience in employee or labor relations, including:
- Mid-level labor relations or employee relations duties with labor organizations or HR functions;
- Experience in a public sector or unionized private organization (such as schools, districts, hospitals).
Note: A Master's degree in human resources management, public administration, or a closely related field may substitute for up to one year of required experience.
The Human Resources Department cultivates a skilled workforce where individuals thrive, teams succeed, and equity is operationalized across department programs: Labor Relations, Employee Relations, People and Organization Development, Citywide Volunteer, Internship and Work Readiness, People Analytics, Disability Management, Talent Acquisition, Veteran and Employee Engagement, and COVID Response and Recovery. Through strategic initiatives, the department plays a pivotal role in attracting and retaining talent and building equitable and thriving teams.
The City of San Diego is the eighth largest city in the United States and the second largest in California. The City of San Diego's strong economy, diverse population, great educational institutions, unsurpassed quality of life, and world-renowned location make it the ideal place to work, live, and play. With its great weather, miles of sandy beaches, and major attractions, San Diego has something to offer for everyone.
The City's Mission, as stated in the Strategic Plan is "Every day we serve our communities to make San Diego not just a fine city, but a great City." The City's Vision is "Opportunity in every neighborhood, excellent service for every San Diegan".
As one of the region's largest employers, the City of San Diego employs nearly 13,000 highly dedicated employees and has a combined Fiscal Year 2027 operating and capital budget of approximately $6.42 billion. Additional information about the City of San Diego can be found on the City's website.
The City offers a robust benefits package that includes:
- Defined retirement plan, including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee's eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.).
- A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
- 11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
- Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee's first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service.
- Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
- Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
- Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
- Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities.
- Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
- Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate.
- Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
- City-paid life insurance.
For additional details, please review the Benefits Summary for Unclassified Employees or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-5924.
Employment offers are conditional, pending the results of all screening processes applicable to the position. All the processes required by the City of San Diego must be successfully completed before employment begins. Please refer to the City's pre-employment requirements and screening process webpage for additional information. Nothing in this job posting constitutes or should be construed as part of an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego.
Resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview.
The City of San Diego has an active Equal Opportunity/ADA Program for employment and vigorously supports diversity in the workplace.
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