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Program Manager - Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement

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Job Req ID: 391 

Department: Office of Labor Standards & Enforcement 

Salary Range: $176,842.00 to $176,842.00 

Job Type: Unclassified     

Business Area: Compliance 

Personnel Area: Compliance Department 

Closing Date: 08/31/2025 

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The Position
 
 
The City of San Diego’s Compliance Department is seeking a Program Manager to lead its Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement (OLSE). The OLSE administers and enforces the City’s wage and labor standard ordinances, including three distinct programs: the Living Wage Program, the Minimum Wage Program, and the Prevailing Wage Program. Each program is managed by a dedicated team responsible for ensuring compliance with local and state labor laws. OLSE staff conduct complaint investigations, compliance audits, site visits, worker interviews, and payroll monitoring on City contracts. OLSE leads outreach and education efforts for both internal (e.g. City departments and staff) and external (e.g. businesses, workers, community organizations, and advocacy groups) stakeholders.
 
 
Reporting to the Deputy Director of the Compliance Department, the OLSE Program Manager will supervise the team leads for each of the City’s labor standards programs. The Program Manager will serve as a strategic partner to department leadership—advancing enforcement practices, proposing policy improvements, and building partnerships with labor organizations, community groups, and government agencies. This is a unique opportunity to lead a growing, mission-driven team that protects workers and ensures compliance and equity on City projects.
 
 
Minimum Requirements
 
  • A Bachelor’s degree in social science or comparable discipline (e.g. Sociology, Political Science, Law, Public Policy, Labor Studies, or Economics) and 
  • 3+ years of progressively responsible professional experience in labor compliance.
 
 
Desirable Qualifications
 
The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:
 
  • Deep knowledge of wage and hour laws, labor standards, and City ordinance requirements, with the ability to apply them to investigations, audits, and compliance strategies
  • Experience conducting complex investigations, including legal analysis, evidence review, interviews, and audit reporting related to labor violations or compliance issues
  • Proven ability to supervise and mentor a team, manage workflows, delegate tasks, and support professional development in a public service setting
  • Ability to contribute to policy updates, develop enforcement strategies, and improve program operations through data-driven recommendations
  • Experience designing and delivering internal training programs and performance metrics to support staff growth and cross-program learning
  • Skilled in building partnerships with public agencies, employers, labor organizations, and community groups, and representing the organization in hearings and public forums
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex regulatory information clearly to diverse audiences
  • Familiarity with labor/compliance management systems, data tracking tools, and public sector contracting and procurement processes
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in enforcement practices and workplace culture
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, showing initiative, innovation, and resilience under pressure


 

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 Compliance Department oversees various regulatory areas, including City wage laws, labor standards, and occupational safety and health. It manages responses to audits and ensures compliance with external agency regulations, such as Title IV requirements. The Department houses the Administrative Hearings program, maintains due process, and provides appeals services. The Department’s Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement (OLSE) ensures compliance with City wage ordinances, while the Compliance Department's Occupational Safety and Health Team (OSH) serves as a central resource for safety standards and regulations. For more information, please visit this link.

 

 

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.

 

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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