Labor Relations Specialist

Under the direction of the Manager I/Labor Relations Officer, the Labor Relations Specialist (LRS), with a high degree of independence, performs the full range of labor relations work relating to assigned bargaining units, excluded employees, labor relations programs, procedures and assigned special projects. Assignment includes two or more major bargaining units. This LRS position is a non-supervisory position.


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

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-529036


Position #(s):
840-710-9535-001

Working Title:
Labor Relations Specialist


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.


# of Positions:
1


Work Location:
Sacramento County


Telework:
Hybrid


Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time


Department Information
Division of Human Resources (DHR), Labor Relations and Performance Management (LRPM), Labor Relations, Sacramento


Department of Water Resources (DWR) was established in 1956 by the California State Legislature. We manage California's water resources, systems, and infrastructure, including the State Water Project, in a responsible sustainable way.

At DWR, we are embedding climate change response into every project we undertake. We have set standards to help evaluate how each project incorporates climate resilience principles and ensure consistency across the Department. Our mission is to sustainably manage the water resources of California, in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the state's people and protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments.

DWR also strives to create a trusting and welcoming workplace where employees embrace diverse viewpoints and treat each other with civility and respect. An important component of DWR's equal employment opportunity program centers around justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Department Website:

Free virtual career consultation services including one-on-one DWR career consultations, application/resume review, tips for applying, and mock interviews, provided by DWR's Recruitment and Workforce Planning section can now be scheduled via


Special Requirements
Must possess a valid CA Driver's License as travel may be required to attend meetings, conferences, and training. Periodic statewide travel may be required to field locations that may also require overnight stay required.


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: 9/3/2026
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. 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).


How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:


Address for Mailing Application Packages


You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:


Department of Water Resources
Mailing Address
Attn: Division of Human Resources
P.O. Box 1079


Sacramento , CA 95812


Address for Drop-Off Application Packages


You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:


Department of Water Resources
Submit in Person
Certification Desk
715 P Street, 7th floor


Sacramento , CA 95814


08:00 AM - 04:30 PM


Required Application Package Documents


The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• 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 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.
• Statement of Qualifications - See Special Instructions for additional details.

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 In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Knowledge of principles relative to the collective bargaining process to ensure compliance with various laws, rules, regulations, and government codes to represent the interest of DWR
• Experience with providing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)interpretations and process
• Knowledge of best practices of management's rights, Team Member representation rights, and unfair labor practices to effectively administer all labor relations policies, practices, and procedures
• Knowledge and ability to consult with and advise management and Executive Leadership on grievances, complaints, and other representational matters, developing and presenting labor relations trainings, and presenting to executive leadership
• Ability to effectively handle critical, complex, and confidential situations with professionalism, tact, and diplomacy, writing and developing department grievances, experience in labor relations hearings
• Experience answering inquiries with attentiveness, ability to recognize the perspective of customers, skill in accessing the work environment and shifting between priorities

Benefits
The work location will be in the Natural Resources Agency building. Our headquarters located in downtown Sacramento is the newest high-rise tower that features sustainable construction, plenty of natural lighting, and functionally designed work spaces including sit-stand workstations. Our Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ( LEED ) Platinum headquarters has a full-service cafe, an onsite free fitness center, indoor bicycle storage, and is within walking distance of nearby restaurants. Visit our Natural Resources Agency website for more exciting information:


In addition to state-of-the-art amenities, we offer an award-winning employee recognition program, ongoing learning, and development opportunities, we're also located right next to Light Rail for an easy commute - we'll even reimburse you for a portion of your monthly public transit pass!


DWR offers a competitive pay schedule and work-life balance for all its employees. The State of California provides comprehensive benefits packages determined by the employee's bargaining unit and conditions of employment. Click here to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees.


Personal Leave Program 2025: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR


Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Thuy Truong
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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:
Office of Civil Rights
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California Relay Service: View phone number on click.appcast.io (TTY), View phone number on click.appcast.io (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.


Special Instructions


To be considered, submit a completed State application (STD. 678) and Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Please reference SAP Position # 50000752 and Job Control # JC- 529036 in the "examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying" section of your application.


The hiring unit will receive only the documents specified in the Required Application Package Documents section.


SOQ Instructions : The SOQ must be typed in Arial 12-point font using standard margins and no more than two (2) pages answering the following questions:

• How does your education and experience make you the best candidate for this position?

• Describe a time you handled an unfair labor practice claim? What initial steps did you take?

• Explain your experience preparing for arbitration. What was your role, and what strategy did you use?

The following basis of eligibility will be considered: List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, SROA/Surplus, and training and development assignment.


Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.


Click here to complete DWR's Recruitment Survey . This survey is for research purpose only and will not affect the application status.


Examination/Assessment


For more information about the State hiring process, click here . To learn more about how to get a State job, click here .


List eligibility can be established by taking and passing the examination/assessment.


Click the examination(s)/assessment(s) information link:
LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST


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.