Labor Relations Specialist

This opportunity is open to all interested candidates.

OVERVIEW:

San Diego Unified School District, the second largest district in California and one of the top largest urban school districts in the United States, is looking for professionals who care deeply for students and are committed to the communities in which they serve.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT:

Because each person is born with inherent worth and dignity, and because equitable access and opportunity are essential to a just, educated society, San Diego Unified employee commitments include being respectful of differences and diverse perspectives, and being accountable for one’s actions and the resulting impact.

BASIC FUNCTION:

The Labor Relations Specialist supports District leadership in the development, implementation, and administration of the District's comprehensive labor relations program, including negotiating collective bargaining agreements, interpreting and administering labor contracts, resolving grievances, and advising District leadership on employer-employee relations matters.

POSITION SPECIFICS:

• Working Location: Labor Relations Department. 4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92013
• Work schedule: Full-time / 12 months per year
• The position is paid on the Non-Represented Classified Supervisors Salary Schedule II, Salary Plan N700, Grade 030 (pending Board of Education approval)
• Qualifies for District Paid health and wellness benefits for employee and dependents
• This application requires you to respond to position-specific questions in your submitted online application. These questions are identified below in the APPLICATION INFORMATION section.

Examples of Duties:

An incumbent may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, but is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements.
E = Essential Functions

• Represent the District as a designated negotiator in collective negotiations, in coordination with District leadership, to ensure alignment with strategic objectives; develop strategic proposals, act as the primary labor spokesperson, and foster the relationship between the District and its exclusive representatives. E
• Prepare cases and represent the District at grievance hearings. E
• Coordinate the grievance procedures and act as liaison with the legal office, when assigned, concerning legal aspects of grievance procedures and processing. E
• Research and coordinate responses to requests for information from exclusive representatives of bargaining units. E
• Serve as the primary labor relations liaison for all schools and departments, facilitating the resolution of complex contract, labor, and employee relations issues; consult and advise management and supervisory personnel on the proper application of collective bargaining agreements, policies, administrative procedures, and interpretation of laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to the administration of labor relations, including those governing resolution of employee grievances. E
• Coordinate revisions to District Administrative Procedures and employee relations policies resulting from negotiated contracts and agreements. E
• Provide specialized technical expertise and assistance to Labor Relations Division leadership concerning assigned functions; assist in the development of employee relations policies, procedures, and programs; analyze trends, identify unusual problems, and recommend appropriate corrective action. E
• Provide advice, guidance, and training to District leadership and staff in matters related to employee relations, contract interpretation, and administration. E
• Assist in a program of counseling District employees on matters related to employer-employee relations. E
• Plan and coordinate in-service training seminars on employer-employee relations, related to areas including, but not limited to Collective Bargaining Agreements and grievance procedures. E
• Construct independent research and develop statistical, financial, and management information related to employee relations. E
• Review and disseminate arbitration decisions pertaining to public agencies. E
• Represent the Labor Relations Division in meetings and on committees; participate, as assigned, in closed session briefings of Board of Education and at Superintendent of Public Education's cabinet regarding negotiations. E
• May supervise, train, and evaluate the performance of assigned staff.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

To view the detailed position description for Labor Relations Specialist, click this LINK.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

A combination of training, experience, and/or education equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in labor relations, industrial relations, human resource management, public administration, business administration, or related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in labor relations, collective bargaining, or employee relations in a large public or private organization.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

None.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Application Process

To be eligible for consideration, interested candidates must submit the following items. Your application will be considered incomplete if you do not include all required information, including completion of the Work Experience and Education Sections of the online application, required attachments, and responses to all application questions.

• Online employment application
• • A completed online employment application must be submitted/received electronically by the closing date. This application MUST include all required attachments, current and previous employment history and education to evaluate your qualifications, and all other requirements identified in the recruitment and application questions. It is important to note that a resume does not substitute for completing the Work Experience and Education sections. Your application will be considered incomplete if you do not include all relevant details and attachments.
  • Paper applications are not accepted.

• Answer all application questions
• • The application questions should be answered thoroughly, clearly, and concisely as the responses provided (along with the entire application package) will be carefully reviewed to determine which candidates will move forward in the recruitment process.
• Contact information for three references must be listed in the 'Reference' section of the application. References should be from a current or previous supervisor. Reference email requests are automatically generated and sent to the references listed at the time of submission. These reference requests are not an indication of progression in the recruitment process or an interview opportunity. Written reference letters dated within the last year are also accepted and may be attached to your online application in the Reference Section.

• Position-Specific Questions (Required). To be considered for this position, you must answer every position-specific question in the online application, Position-Specific Skills, Licenses, and Experience section. Failure to answer each position-specific question will result in your application being considered incomplete and disqualify you from further consideration for this recruitment.
• • QUESTION 1: Please describe the experience you have working in a unionized environment, including the organization, the employee groups or bargaining units, and the nature of your work. Additionally, detail any direct interactions you have had with labor unions, union stewards, or employee representatives, and your role during those interactions.
  • QUESTION 2: Please summarize your experience with labor relations, specifically addressing your involvement in applying collective bargaining agreements and managing the grievance process. If applicable, also discuss your role in contract negotiations, advising management, or conducting workplace investigations.

• Attach Required Documents (PDF format recommended)
• • Resume
  • • Resume must reflect current and past work and accomplishments.
    • A resume does NOT substitute for completing work history, education sections, or the supplemental questions of the employment application.

• Additional Documents (Optional)
• • Cover Letter / Letter of Intent
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Additional documents, if any, must be attached to the online employment application.

INTERVIEW PROCESS:
Candidates selected to move forward in the recruitment process may be invited to interview. Anticipated department interviews are tentatively scheduled to be held on December 2, 2025. Interview invitations will be sent via email between November 21-26.

For questions regarding this job announcement, including priority consideration, please contact Personnel Analyst Roxanna Garcia at rgarcia13@sandi.net.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

If you have questions about your application, please email jobs@sandi.net.

The San Diego Unified School District communicates information regarding the hiring process via email. Please be aware that the District is not responsible for messages blocked by your email service. In an effort to allow our emails through your personal spam filter, you can try to add the domain@sandi.net and domain@ted.peopleadmin.com to your safe senders list.

San Diego Unified School District is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying by reason of the following actual or perceived characteristics: age, ancestry, color, mental or physical disability, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, immigration status, marital or parental status, medical condition, nationality, national origin, actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, or on the basis of a person's association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

For more information about equity in employment, contact:

Title II Coordinator & Uniform Complaint Compliance Officer Eric Rico: (619) 725-7225, erico1@sandi.net / Title IX Coordinator Anna Ward: (619) 725-7225, award2@sandi.net / 504 Coordinator Eri Nall: (619) 344-6420, enall@sandi.net