Chief Labor Negotiator

Position Description

The City is seeking an experienced labor negotiator to lead Fresno's negotiations with the City's 12 employee organizations. As the Chief Labor Negotiator, this role will report to the Personnel Services Director and act as the primary negotiator while advising the City on all employer/employee matters. The ideal candidate will bring a deep technical understanding and extensive experience in labor relations and negotiations, alongside a collaborative leadership approach.

The new Chief Labor Negotiator will join the City at a pivotal time, focused on advancing bargaining agreements that align with the City's One Fresno theme. The incumbent will offer expert advice on employee relations and ensure compliance with the City Charter, Municipal Code, Civil Service Rules, equal employment opportunity goals, and all relevant laws, rules, and regulations. Therefore, this role requires a high level of demonstrated technical knowledge and experience.

The successful candidate will possess a collaborative leadership style, a strong work ethic, and a results-driven approach. They must be proactive in building and nurturing relationships with employee organizations, ensuring open and positive communication. Internally, the Chief Negotiator will foster a culture of collaboration and effective service delivery within the City's departments and staff.

The Labor Relations Team has expanded with two new positions added to support Labor Operations this past year. The team consists of the Chief Negotiator, one Principal Labor Relations Analyst, and two Senior HR/Risk Analysts.

The successful candidate will have graduated from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Science, or a closely related field; and four years of professional labor relations, human resources, or related experience which includes, or is supplemented by, one year at the supervisory level. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis, up to a maximum of two years.

Possession of a valid California Driver's License is required at time of appointment. Candidates considered for hire must provide proof of a valid driver's license and current copy of their driving record and satisfactorily complete a Department of Justice fingerprinting.

City Government

Fresno is a full-service charter city operating under a strong mayor form of government. There are seven Council Members. The Council appoints the City Attorney and the City Clerk. The Mayor is elected at- large and does not serve on the Council, but has veto power over certain actions taken by the City Council. The City Manager, who is appointed by the Mayor, is responsible for appointing all other department heads in the City.

Pay,Benefits, & Work Schedule

The City offers an attractive and competitive salary and benefits package. The salary for this position is dependent upon qualifications. The current annual salary range is $123,240 up to $171,072. The employee benefits package, as noted below, is subject to change and includes:

Retirement: City of Fresno Retirement Systems, one of the best funded public systems in the state. Reciprocity with other CA public agencies. Vested in Retirement benefits after 5 years of service. City employees do not participate in Social Security.

Health Insurance: The City contributes toward monthly premiums for PPO medical, dental and vision for employee and dependents.

Flexible Spending Account Program: IRS 125 Plan for health and dependent care expenses.

Auto Allowance: Employees in this classification are provided with an auto allowance of $300 per month.

Deferred Compensation: Voluntary 457 plan with Fidelity Investments to increase your retirement savings. City contributes up to $75 per month.

Management Leave: 60 hours per fiscal year, with cash out provisions.

Annual Leave: Accrue (15.5) hour per month of Annual Leave, with cash out provisions.

Holidays: Ten (10) City-observed holidays annually, plus birthday and two (2) personal days per year.

Life Insurance: Benefit equal to annual salary; premium paid by City.

Long-Term Disability: Benefit equal to 66.66% of monthly salary up to $7,500 per month after 30 days of disability or end of sick leave; premium paid by the City.

Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP): an optional, voluntary program that allows an employee to deposit retirement benefits in a special savings account within the Retirement System while continuing to work for the City of Fresno for up to 10 years. Participation minimum is age 50 and vested. Benefits includes ownership of accumulated funds, compound interest earnings, and alternative distribution options.

Selection Process

To pursue this phenomenal career opportunity, please visit our website at www.fresno.gov/jobs. To apply, please complete an employment application and upload your letter of interest, resume, and five work-related references.

After the final filing date, completed applications will be reviewed and a select group of candidates will be invited to interview. Applicants deemed to have the most relevant qualifications will be referred for further consideration.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact Marissa Barnett, Human Resources Manager at 559-621-6945 or Marissa.Barnett@fresno.gov.

The Community

The City of Fresno is the largest city in the San Joaquin Valley and the fifth largest city in California, with a population of more than 545,000 residents. Fresno is the financial core of the San Joaquin Valley, and its economy relies on its large-scale agricultural production. Revitalization of Downtown Fresno's core and the construction of High Speed Rail are two of many exciting projects that continue to successfully support Fresno's growing economy.

Located in the geographical center of California, Fresno offers many sights. From fertile agricultural fields, an abundance of lakes, and the snowy Sierra Nevada mountain range, the scenic variety in Fresno is large. Fresno also features a diverse selection of dining, shopping, farmers markets, vibrant arts and culture, wineries, as well as a variety of attractions. With 300 days of sunshine a year, the climate in Fresno is the source of its agricultural productivity, and allows year-round recreational activities including sailing, snow and water skiing, fishing, backpacking, and golfing.

Los Angeles is approximately four hours south and the San Francisco Bay Area is approximately three hours north. Fresno is located in proximity to three sites of natural beauty: Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, and Sequoia National Park. Residents and visitors alike enjoy these scenes and others, including the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

Another advantage to living in Fresno is the exceptional housing that is available at lower price levels than California's other large metropolitan areas. The current median home price in Fresno is approximately $395,000. There are four large school districts in the Fresno area: Fresno Unified, Central Unified, Sanger Unified and Clovis Unified. Fresno is the home of California State University, Fresno, as well as a number of other colleges and universities.

The people of Fresno enjoy a wide variety of social, cultural, athletic, educational and recreational activities in an affordable and clean living environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Fresno is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Closing Date/Time: 03/04/2025

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• City of Fresno

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