County Labor Relations Chief

JOB TITLE: County Labor Relations Chief
AGENCY: San Bernardino County
LOCATION: San Bernardino, CA
FILING DEADLINE: July 18, 2025
SALARY RANGE: $179,150.40 – $255,070.40 Annually

The Position
We are a forward-thinking organization where innovation and service to our community are central to our culture and operations. We are in search of a County Labor Relations Chief who will lead our effort to work tirelessly and fairly with our represented employees for the benefit of all our residents.

The County Labor Relations Chief is a single position classification which is characterized by its responsibility to develop and administer the County labor position including negotiating labor contracts, handling grievances, ensuring compliance with labor laws and regulations, and fostering positive relationships between County management and employees. The incumbent serves as principal advisor to the Human Resources Director, Assistant Executive Officer (AEO), CEO, and Board of Supervisors on labor relations matters. The incumbent will initially report to the Director of Human Resources. The Labor Relations Chief will manage a constant workload directing all activities concerning the County’s 11 labor unions, 28 bargaining units and 3 non-represented plans. In addition, the Chief will manage a Deputy Labor Chief, two senior officers, and two analysts in this endeavor. The Labor Relations Chief will work very closely with the Director of HR and AEO to coordinate strategy and will report frequently to the Board of Supervisors in closed sessions.

Key Responsibilities
• Administers the County’s labor relations program.
• Leads Negotiations: Acts as Chief Negotiator for labor contracts.
• Economic Analysis: Develops and presents the economic impact of bargaining positions.
• Contract Administration: Ensures effective administration of collective bargaining agreements and provides guidance and training.
• Policy Development: Creates and implements policies to improve service efficiency and effectiveness.
• Strategic Planning: Establishes and evaluates short and long-term goals aligned with County strategies.
• Team Leadership: Directs labor relations strategies and coordinates with County officials and departments.
• Negotiation and Research: Meets with employee organizations, directs research, and analyzes alternative positions.
• Advisory Role: Advises County management on labor relations issues and compliance with laws and policies.
• Presentations and Reports: Prepares presentations and reports for the Board of Supervisors and County management.
• Legal Representation: Represents the County in administrative proceedings related to labor relations.
• Legislative Analysis: Analyzes legislative impacts on employer-employee relations and recommends implementations.
• Training and Compliance: Provides training and ensures compliance with legal orders and settlements.
• Budget Management: Develops and manages the office budget.
• Staff Management: Plans, schedules, and evaluates the work of assigned staff.

Click here for the full, original text of all key responsibilities in the job classification.

The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will bring to this role strong, effective and nuanced negotiation skills. They will be able to be strong when required and keep an eye out for the County’s fiscal needs, but also develop and maintain a close and effective working relationships with all the County’s bargaining units. This role requires deft subtlety, a clear head, close attention to detail and County priorities, and singular communication skills. The incumbent will nearly always be in negotiation of one or more MOU’s at any given time, and be able to not only manage those individual contracts, but see how they fit into the larger strategy of the County.

The Chief will work closely and harmoniously with HR, the AEO, the CEO and the Board of Supervisors in ensuring that the County’s represented employees are treated fairly, while maintaining fiscal responsibility. To that end, a strong basis in accounting/finance principles will be very helpful. Further, bringing a sense of levity and humor to the role will be greatly appreciated. Experience in handling politically sensitive issues is essential. The ideal candidate will know how to control the narrative and set priorities for the County that everyone can live with. Further, it is incumbent upon the Chief to be a team player and work closely with HR, as stated, and remember that their policies and strategy will affect everyone.

The Community
San Bernardino County has a beautiful and diverse natural environment. The surrounding landscape provides a plethora of recreational opportunities, from boating on the serene water of Lake Arrowhead to hiking the arid expanses of the Mojave National Preserve. Beyond its stunning beauty, the County is a hub of economic activity, with sectors ranging from logistics and manufacturing to healthcare and tourism. The County’s history is deeply rooted in the pioneering spirit of the American West, evident in its numerous historic sites, museums, and cultural landmarks. The County spans 20,105 square miles with 24 incorporated cities, and the community’s 2.2 million residents are incredibly diverse.

For more details about this opportunity, please visit the job brochure at: https://koffassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Final-San-Bernardino-Labor-Relations-Chief-Final-Brochure.pdf.

To be considered, please submit a resume, cover letter and five work-related references (who will not be contacted in the early stages of the recruitment) to: https://koffassociates.com/county-labor-relations-chief/. Resumes should reflect years and months of positions held as well as size of past organization(s).

For additional information please contact:
Chelsea Freeman, Recruiting Supervisor
510.570.3844
chelsea_freeman@ajg.com
www.koffassociates.com

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