Human Resources Officer

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Job Req ID: 540 

Division: Labor Relations 3 

Salary Range: $153,504.00 to $153,504.00 

Job Type: Unclassified     

Business Area: Human Resources 

Personnel Area: Human Resources 

Office Location: 1200 Third Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101

Closing Date: 11/29/2025 

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The Human Resources Department (HR) currently has an opportunity for enthusiastic and experienced HR professional to work as a strategic partner specializing in labor and employee relations. To be successful in this role, you must have a positive, solution-oriented perspective as well as a proven track record in building effective relationships within and across organizations.

The Human Resources Officer (HR Program Coordinator) is responsible for developing, coordinating, and administering human resource-related initiatives, policies, and programs affecting labor and employee relations within the City of San Diego. This position will perform higher-level labor relations and employee relations functions to support the continuously evolving and increasingly complex needs of City departments, department management, employees, and the six (6) recognized employee organizations (REOs).  
 
After the initial onboarding, the position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement.

Under the direction of the Human Resources Program Manager, the HR Officer will perform labor relations and employee relations duties and act as liaison to City Departments and to the City’s REOs, providing guidance and policy advice to department management and employees on various employment issues, such as application and interpretation of City policies, regulations, and MOUs.


 

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Perform labor relations duties and provide assistance to City Departments and serve as the City’s liaisons to the six (6) REOs.
• Assist the negotiations table leads and serve as backup during successor MOU negotiations.
• Facilitate meet and confer processes over City or department proposals that have impacts on mandatory subjects of bargaining under the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (MMBA) (e.g., changes to current City/department policies, implementation of applicable new legislations, a proposal to amend the MOU via a side letter agreement, etc.).
• Facilitate Labor Management Committee meetings.
• Oversee the City’s contracting out protocols review and approval process.
• Review and prepare presentation materials for the Mayor, Council, and City Management for purposes of meetings and briefings (e.g., Council Meetings and Closed Sessions). May be required to present at City Council or Committee.
• Represent the City/HR at various City committees.
• Provide guidance, policy advice, and communication strategy to department management and employees regarding labor relations and employee relations issues. 
• Facilitate critical employment-related training and provide ongoing mentoring and support to supervisors and department management staff.
• Assist with change management initiatives.
• Provide oversight of the periodic Total Compensation Surveys, annual Salary Ordinance process, and as-needed Requests for Proposals.
• Review and update departmental forms and documents consistent with negotiated terms of the MOUs.
• Support the City’s goal to maintain a good working relationship with the REOs. 
• Review and provide support on progressive and property rights, level disciplinary actions and appeals. 
• Lead, advise, and assist departments with complex fact-finding investigations and investigatory interviews.
• Provide guidance and support to department management and employees regarding the grievance process and resolution. 
• Knowledgeable of leave provisions, such as FMLA/CFRA, Bereavement, and Parental Leave.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Business Management, or a closely related field, and 
• Minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in the public and/or private sector that demonstrates your proven ability to work in the field of Human Resources (i.e., employee relations and labor relations). 
• Experience working on labor relations and/or employee relations matters.
• Experience working with labor organizations, meeting and conferring processes, labor negotiations, and various labor-related issues.
• Working knowledge and experience in local, state, and federal employment and labor laws, including the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (MMBA), MOUs, and City policies and regulations. 
• Ability to work independently and make sound consequential judgments based on available information.
• Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates these qualifications may be qualifying.

Highly desirable:

• A Master’s degree in Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, or a closely related field is highly desired.
• Specialized skills and training in human resources and labor relations, such as conducting labor negotiations and employee relations.
• Professional certifications related to human resources (i.e., CLRM, PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, IPMA, etc.).
• Ability to transition to employee relations or labor relations function, as operationally needed.

Desirable Qualifications: 

• Demonstrated confidence in public speaking and experience in conducting group human resources-related training.
• 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. 
• Strong political acumen.
• Experience handling discipline matters and conducting investigations resulting in conflict resolution. 
• Represent the City on various City committees including facilitating Labor Management Committee meetings.
• Genuine commitment and appreciation for the value of diversity. 
• The ability to manage a wide range of assignments and projects simultaneously, without losing sight of important issues and goals. 
• Strong prioritization and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Energetic and motivated with the ability and desire to take initiative.

Benefits:

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  (Download PDF reader) or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-5924. 

The Department: 

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 attracting and retaining talent, and building equitable and thriving teams. 

The City:

With more than 1.4 million residents, 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 2025 operating and capital budget of approximately $5.65 billion. Additional information about the City of San Diego can be found on the City’s website.

Pre-Employment Requirements and Screening Process:

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.