LABOR RELATIONS MANAGER I

State of California; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 97,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Alternate Work Schedules

Flexible Work Hours

Onsite childcare facility

Onsite fitness center

Onsite café and nearby restaurants

Free onsite parking available Mondaysl

Job summary

CalPERS is seeking a seasoned Employee and Labor Relations Program Manager to guide complex labor relations work, act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, and oversee grievance resolution and labor-management strategy.

You will bring deep expertise in collective bargaining, contract administration, and employee relations, with the judgment and political acumen to navigate sensitive issues in a public pension context.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of general principles, practices, and trends of labor-management relations and collective bargaining.
• Extensive knowledge of communication techniques for gathering, evaluating, and transmitting information to management, labor unions, control agencies, and others contacted through the course of business.
• Ability to read, analyze, and logically interpret and apply appropriate laws, rules, regulations, memoranda of understanding, policies, procedures, and instructions.
• Ability to handle stressful or sensitive situations with tact and labor-management diplomacy.

Skills

Labor relations

Collective bargaining

Communication

Negotiation

Job description

Job Posting:Employee and Labor Relations Program Manager

Public Employees Retirement System

JC-532289 -

JC-532289 - Employee and Labor Relations Program Manager LABOR RELATIONS MANAGER I

$8,715.00 - $9,899.00 per Month New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 9/26/2026

Application Methods: Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account) By Mail Drop-off

Anticipated Interview Dates: We anticipate holding in-person interviews beginning the week of October 12, 2026. We look forward to meeting with you!

Are you a seasoned labor relations professional ready to make a meaningful impact at one of California’s most dynamic public organizations? CalPERS is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and highly skilled leader to guide complex labor relations work that directly supports our mission and our workforce.

In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and a key representative in grievance resolution and labor-management strategy. You’ll bring deep expertise in collective bargaining, contract administration, and employee relations, along with the judgment and political acumen needed to navigate sensitive and complex issues with confidence and professionalism.

Telework Information: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, with up to two days of remote work and three days or more onsite, per week.

Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. CalPERS does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.

Effective July 1, 2025, The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Minimum Requirements

• LABOR RELATIONS MANAGER I

Employee and Labor Relations Program Manager

Classification:

LABOR RELATIONS MANAGER I $8,715.00 - $9,899.00 New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) is the nation’s largest public pension fund, providing retirement and health benefits to public employees, retirees, and their families. Headquartered in downtown Sacramento, we are a destination employer with an international reputation for leadership and innovation. At CalPERS, we’re committed to people – the people we serve, our team members, and the larger community around us. CalPERS is situated near the Napa Valley, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and other desirable destinations, and we offer competitive benefit packages, compensation, and opportunities for advancement.

We offer competitive benefit packages, compensation, and opportunities for advancement.

To find out more about our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, visit our website!

Special Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

All experience and education relating to the Minimum Qualifications (MQs) listed on the Classification Specification should be included in your application package to clearly demonstrate how you meet the MQs for this position. If you are using education to meet MQs, please include your transcripts with your application package. If you have a degree from outside of the United States, you must submit an evaluation of this degree to determine the US equivalency. If you need an evaluation, you can visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website to find organizations that provide these services. The Classification Specification is located on this Job Posting under "Minimum Requirements".

Please Note: You may need to pass an examination to establish list eligibility prior to a final offer of employment. To find and take an exam, visit CalHR’s CalCareers website.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 9/26/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

Required Application Package Documents

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of general principles, practices, and trends of labor-management relations and collective bargaining
• Extensive knowledge of communication techniques for gathering, evaluating, and transmitting information to all levels of management, labor unions, control agencies, and others contacted through the course of business
• Ability to read, analyze, and logically interpret and apply appropriate laws, rules, regulations, memoranda of understanding, policies, procedures, and instructions
• Ability to handle stressful or sensitive situations with tact and labor-management diplomacy

CalPERS team members are eligible for a number of benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most team members. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and collective bargaining agreements.

Benefits

• Alternate Work Schedules
• Flexible Work Hours
• Onsite childcare facility
• Onsite fitness center
• Onsite café and nearby restaurants
• Free onsite parking available Mondays and Fridays, subject to change
• Free offsite parking available with shuttle service Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

For more details about employee benefits, visit the California Department of Human Resources website.

Human Resources Contact

HRSD Selection Services [phone] [e-mail]

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact

CalPERS EEO [phone] [e-mail]

California Relay Service

1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Information

Live Scan: Candidates not currently employed at CalPERS are required to submit to a criminal history review process utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting.

CalPERS Disclosure Requirements: If employed, you may be subject to rules imposed by Personal Trading Regulations and Conflict of Interest Code that apply to CalPERS team members, which require disclosure of certain investment information and use of a designated trading platform for securities transactions, as well as filing a Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700).

Please do not include any confidential information on any documents in your application package. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include, but is not limited to, your social security number, date of birth, marital status, personal photos, a copy of your driver’s license, equal employment opportunity data, examination scores, and LEAP status.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.