LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST

California Department of Social Services; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 86,064 - 106,920; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Social Services in Sacramento offers a permanent, full-time position as Labor Relations Specialist / Labor Relations Analyst. The role involves analyzing labor relations matters, handling grievances, arbitrations, and negotiations within the Department, and representing management in collective bargaining processes.

Applicants must submit an SOQ and demonstrate ability to communicate with CalHR, executives, and employee organizations.

Qualifications

• Education, experience, and/or training in labor relations or a related field, working with labor organizations, grievances, contract administration, negotiations, and conflict resolution.
• Describe and provide examples of your abilities and experience communicating with all levels of staff, including CalHR, Executive management, managers, supervisors, and employee organizations.
• Describe and provide examples of your experience in dealing with four of the following subjects: Arbitrations, Unfair Labor Practice Charges, Grievance Settlements, Impact Bargaining, Chairing Meetings, or Joint Labor-Management Committees.
• Describe a situation and your experience in creating an inclusive work environment that fosters collaboration, cooperation, and consensus with management, union organization, and/or other stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Perform analytical and completed staff work in the field of labor relations, including grievances, arbitrations, and labor negotiations for collective bargaining units within the Department.
• Act as a management representative and undertake activities to assure the effectiveness of the Labor Relations Program.

Skills

Labor relations

Grievances

Arbitrations

Negotiations

Job description

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-520689

Position #(s): 800-692-9535-955

Working Title: Labor Relations Specialist / Labor Relations Analyst

Classification:: LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST

$7,172.00 - $8,910.00

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Shall Consider:

LABOR RELATIONS ANALYST

$5,188.00 - $6,495.00 A

$6,241.00 - $7,816.00 B

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: Sacramento County

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type:: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of fellow Californians while achieving your career goals? Do you set high standards for yourself and enjoy a collaborative and challenging work environment? The mission of the California Department of Social Services is to serve, protect, and support the people of California experiencing need in ways that empower wellbeing and disrupt systemic inequities. The vision of the California Department of Social Services is to provide quality services with a commitment to an inclusive, diverse, and equitable California where all people can thrive.

CDSS Guiding Principles

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Accessibility. Belonging. We ensure opportunities for everyone to participate in a meaningful way in fulfilling the mission and vision of CDSS.

Community Engagement We prioritize the lived experiences of community members as a driving force behind the creation, implementation, desired impact, or change of programs and services.

Empowerment We engage, operate, and advocate from the understanding that each community and person has desires and capabilities to lead in their own life.

Quality Services We provide services that align intent and impact by ensuring that they are accessible, community driven, interconnected, and continuously improved.

Data Defined Outcomes We equitably collect and analyze data, take data-driven action, and measure outcomes relevant to those we serve, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Job Description And Duties

This is a re-post. If you previously applied, there is no need to re-apply as your application is on file and will be considered.

Under the general direction of the Labor Relations Officer (LRO) for CDSS, the Labor Relations Specialist (LRS)/Labor Relations Analyst (LRA) will perform a wide variety of analytical and completed staff work in the field of labor relations, including grievances, arbitrations, and labor negotiations for collective bargaining units within the Department. The LRS/LRA will act as a management representative and will undertake and complete a variety of activities necessary to assure the effectiveness of the Labor Relations Program.

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

Special Requirements

Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications or Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with your application to be considered for this position. Applications submitted without an SOQ may be disqualified for this position.

Do not include any confidential information on any documents (i.e., application, resume, or transcripts) you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include but is not limited to: Social Security Number (SSN), birthday and/or age, photos, student/other ID number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, exam results, LEAP status, and marital status. Confidential information submitted via a CalCareer Account (electronic application) is automatically redacted upon submission.

Statement of Qualification must be no more than two pages in length, size 12-point Arial font. Your responses should not be repeated.

• Please describe your education, experience, and/or training in labor relations or a related field, working with labor organizations, grievances, contract administration, negotiations, and conflict resolution.
• Describe and provide examples of your abilities and experience communicating with all levels of staff, including CalHR, Executive management, managers, supervisors, and employee organizations.
• Describe and provide examples of your experience in dealing with four of the following subjects: Arbitrations, Unfair Labor Practice Charges, Grievance Settlements, Impact Bargaining, Chairing Meetings, or Joint Labor-Management Committees.
• Describe a situation and your experience in creating an inclusive work environment that fosters collaboration, cooperation, and consensus with management, union organization, and/or other stakeholders.

Please Note: A notation or reference to other materials such as cover letters, resumes, degrees, exam results or applications DO NOT take the place of the SOQ.

For helpful guidance on writing an effective SOQ, please see our Work4CA guide and video Work4CA: How to Write a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ).

This position is designated under the Conflict of Interest Code.

You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD 678). You may be disqualified from the hiring and selection process if the employment history is inaccurate or incomplete. Resumes will not take the place of employment history. If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts for verification. If selected, you may be required to provide official transcripts at the time of hire.

Training and Development assignments may be considered based on the availability of eligible candidates and are subject to approval by the Hiring Authority prior to appointment. Training and Development assignments are temporary in nature and shall not exceed twenty-four (24) months.

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview, but they must provide proof of residence in California prior to being eligible for appointment.

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.

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).

Final Filing Date: 8/6/2026

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.