Job Details
Associate Vice Chancellor, Human Resources
Kern Community College District
Salary: $184,432.26 - $260,597.96 Annually
Job Type: Management - Classified Administrator
Job Number: FY25-2600431
Location: District Office, CA
Department: Human Resources
Below is our job description for this position. Please also review the Important Instructions & Additional Information section below, which contains valuable information about our application process.
Basic Function
The Associate Vice Chancellor, Human Resources serves as the chief operational leader for District Human Resources and is responsible for the strategic direction, coordination, and oversight of district-wide human resources functions. The position provides executive leadership for specialized HR divisions including Talent & Workforce Operations, Employee & Labor Relations, EEO/Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance, Leaves, Benefits & Workers' Compensation, and Organizational Development & Training. The Associate Vice Chancellor ensures consistent HR practices, regulatory compliance, operational effectiveness, and alignment between District HR and College HR offices through a shared-services model.
Representative Duties
- Provide executive leadership, strategic direction, and oversight for all District Human Resources functional divisions, including Talent & Workforce Operations, Employee & Labor Relations, EEO/Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance, Leaves, Benefits & Workers' Compensation, and Organizational Development & Training.
- Plan, coordinate, direct, and lead activities and the operation of the District's Human Resources Office, assuring compliance with applicable laws, codes and regulations; supervise District Office Human Resources staff; provide strategic planning for district-wide human resources management and practices; develop Human Resources policies and procedures; interpret laws and advise District staff regarding policies and procedures.
- Directly supervise assigned directors, managers, and professional staff responsible for District Human Resources operations and functional specialty areas.
- Coordinate and align Human Resources services between District and College HR offices through a districtwide shared-services model that promotes consistency, efficiency, compliance, and high-quality employee support. Establish performance standards, service expectations, and operational alignment between District and College Human Resources offices to ensure consistency across the District.
- Provide executive direction for collective bargaining strategy and labor relations activities and serve as Chief Negotiator when designated by the Vice Chancellor. Administer collective bargaining agreements; respond to claims of contract violations, processes and resolve grievances; represent the District in hearings; serve as liaison for the District with labor organizations; administer a variety of related contracts, memoranda of understanding and other legal documents.
- Provide executive leadership for organizational development initiatives, leadership development programs, supervisory training, succession planning, workforce development, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness efforts throughout the District.
- Provide strategic leadership for districtwide talent acquisition, recruitment modernization, workforce planning, onboarding initiatives, and hiring process improvement to support workforce stability and operational effectiveness.
- Provide consultation, technical expertise, legal strategies, and recommendations to the Vice Chancellors, Chancellor, Board of Trustees, faculty and management in employee and labor relations matters, including but not limited to negotiations, litigation, 504 compliance, workers compensation, unlawful discrimination, unfair labor practices, claims of contract violations, and discipline; conduct legal research and analysis of technical subject matter in employee and labor relations matters.
- Serve as KCCD advocate and legal representative to courts, legislature and administrative agencies regarding Human Resources, civil litigation, labor relations, and workers compensation. Represent the Human Resources Department at Board of Trustees meetings and present information as required.
- Lead districtwide efforts to identify, assess, and mitigate employment-related risk through proactive compliance, employee relations, policy development, workforce planning, and process improvement initiatives.
- Oversee and provide review, analysis and guidance of proposed legislation, laws, and regulations relating to human resources, labor relations, and community colleges. Recommend and draft legislative policy and legal changes to serve the needs of the District. Administer the implementation of laws, regulations, and policies.
- Provide executive oversight and strategic direction for investigations, employee relations, labor relations, leave administration, accommodations, benefits administration, and compliance functions through assigned directors and managers.
- Oversees the investigation and processing of complaints and the discipline process, including reprimands, suspensions, demotions, and dismissals in legal compliance with the Education Code, Board Policies, and Collective Bargaining Agreements; coordinate related hearings; administer employee formal and informal grievance procedures; conduct Skelly hearings in consultation with affected administrators; coordinate with legal counsel and make recommendations to Vice Chancellor, Human Resources and Board of Trustees as appropriate; mediate employee grievances and facilitate resolution.
- Oversees the development and administration of the District's employee health and benefits programs; administer open enrollment and technology initiatives related to benefits; responsible for leaves coordination, COBRA, IRS 125 plan, Affordable Care Act, and the accommodation process.
- Develop and execute comprehensive strategic plans relating to District and campus human resources programs, practices, and systems under the direction of the Vice Chancellor of Human Resources and in close partnership with campus executive management, various governance groups, and campus administrators, managers, faculty, and staff.
- Oversees district-wide human resources operations, and serve as a resource for employment practices, job classification, job descriptions, job analysis, staffing analysis, salary administration, and salary placement. Approve and supervise the evaluation of the minimum qualifications of all applicants and employees in accordance with state and local rules and regulations. Responsible for the administration of criminal conviction analysis and determination.
- Provide leadership in the development of the annual preliminary budget for assigned programs; monitor and control budget expenditures; direct the preparation and maintenance of detailed and comprehensive reports, records and files regarding employees, facilities, programs, operations and activities; fiduciary signatory on fiscal expenditures District-wide, including student financial aid.
- Chair and supervise a variety of committees and task forces related to Human Resources; direct and coordinate the reclassification and promotion of employees; chair administrative and staff meetings as required; coordinate programs and services as appropriate with other District and college staff.
- Provide executive oversight and coordination of District EEO, Civil Rights, ADA, Title IX, and workplace compliance programs through designated compliance personnel; ensure consistent application of federal and state employment laws, regulations, and District policies.
- Plan, organize, and deliver appropriate training and staff development activities.
- Train, supervise, evaluate and direct the work of employees as assigned at the District office and colleges; this may include supervision of management employees and independent contractors; participate in selection and hiring processes.
- Learn and apply emerging technologies and advances (e.g., computer software applications) as necessary to perform duties in an efficient, organized, and timely manner.
- Provide leadership in District/College efforts to increase the diversity of faculty and staff, to address student achievement gaps, and in the creation of a welcoming and inclusive work and educational environment.
- Assist and promote the growth and success of a diverse population of students and employees through the development of interculturally competent and equity-minded management and leadership abilities.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, Law, or related field.
- Seven years of progressively responsible HR leadership experience.
- Five years supervising multiple HR functional areas.
- Experience leading complex HR operations in a multi-site or multi-department organization.
- Experience implementing organizational change initiatives. Commitment to diversity. All applicants must have demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty and staff. The applicant must be able to demonstrate how their experience with these factors relates to successfully achieving the goals of the position.
Desirable Qualifications
- Senior leadership experience in a community college district or public sector environment.
- Experience implementing centralized or shared-services HR models.
- Experience overseeing multiple HR specialty functions.
- Professional certification (SHRM-SCP, SPHR, IPMA-HR, or equivalent).
- Experience leading organizational restructuring initiatives.
- Demonstrated experience resolving labor relations matters, accommodations, trial preparation, negotiations, complaints, grievances, unfair labor practices, and state and federal claims.
- Demonstrated experience working with a unionized workforce.
- Demonstrated experience with classification and compensation systems.
- Ability to provide an inclusive and welcoming work/educational environment.
Knowledge & Abilities
- Knowledge of human resources operations, including applicable federal/state laws and regulations.
- Knowledge of labor relations, collective bargaining, contract administration, mediation, arbitration, and grievance resolution
- Knowledge of District organization, operations, policies and objectives
- Knowledge of California Education Code and requirements, including Title 5, Title IX, 504 Knowledge of principles and practices of due process discipline
- Knowledge of a shared governance model Knowledge of human resources development and organizational development
- Knowledge of staff diversity and Equity laws and programs
- Knowledge of research policies, procedures and practices, including data collection and analysis
- Knowledge of correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary Knowledge of record keeping procedures
- Knowledge of budget preparation and maintenance
- Knowledge of current human resources enterprise systems
- Knowledge of appropriate software and databases
- Ability to organize and effectively manage human resources in a complex multi-campus operation
- Ability to interpret, apply and explain laws, regulations, policies and procedures
- Ability to assess, analyze, implement, and evaluate data and research project activities
- Ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
- Ability to conduct effective labor negotiations and administer collective bargaining agreements
- Ability to conduct effective investigations
- Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work
- Ability to meet schedules and timelines
- Ability to identify process improvements and create a continuous improvement culture
- Ability to work independently with little direction
- Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions
- Ability to communicate efficiently, both orally and in writing
- Ability to supervise, train and provide work direction to others
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
SALARY RANGE
$184,432.26 - $260,597.96 annually
Maximum Entry Level Salary: $193,769.15 annually
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
First Review of Applications: Complete application packets will be accepted until the position is filled; but those received by July 31st, 2026, are assured consideration. The College reserves the right to extend time limits or reinitiate the recruitment/selection process at any point.
Completed application packet MUST include:
- Completed Online Application for Employment form
- Current resume
- Letter of interest (Cover Letter)
- Copy of legible transcripts
- List of five (5) professional references - Listed on application form
It is the applicant's responsibility to redact (or remove) any personal information from all documents prior to uploading. This includes Social Security Numbers, Date of Birth, and any photos of the applicant.
Foreign Degree: Applicants with foreign degrees from colleges or universities outside of the United States must have their coursework evaluated by a professional association that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, INC. (ACEI). A copy of the evaluation must be submitted with your on-line application.
Applicants who require reasonable accommodation to participate in the selection process should contact Human Resources to make the necessary arrangements.
EEO Plan 2021-2024
Note: The District is strongly committed to achieving staff diversity and the principles of equal employment opportunity. The District encourages a diverse pool of applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race or ethnicity, color, medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, or because he/she is perceived to have one or more of the foregoing characteristics, or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law, in any of its policies, procedures or practices.
Discrimination Free Work Environment
The District does not provide sponsorship for authorization to work in the United States. Work authorization should be established at the time of application submission.
Important Instructions & Additional Information
Complete applications received by the "assured consideration date" above are guaranteed to be reviewed by Human Resources. If you apply after this date, there is no guarantee that your application will be reviewed. However, we still recommend that you apply because recruitments remain open until filled. The District and/or College reserves the right to extend time limits and/or repost or restart recruitments at any point.
Completed applications must include the following.
- Completed online application for employment
- Current resume
- Letter of interest (cover letter)
- List of 5 (five) professional references (entered in online application)
- Copy of legible transcripts (if required for the position)
It is your responsibility to redact or remove any personally identifiable information from all documents prior to uploading, including Social Security numbers, date of birth, photos, etc.
For all positions, sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, shall be considered a core system competency and job requirement. (5 CCR § 53022)
Equivalency for Minimum Qualifications
Applicants for faculty and educational administrator positions in California Community Colleges are required to meet certain minimum qualifications as provided by the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office and detailed in the Minimum Qualifications for Faculty and Administrators in California Community Colleges handbook. If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, you may still be eligible by completing the KernCCD Application for Equivalence process. Please see our Faculty Equivalency Process website for more information.
International or Foreign Degrees
Applicants with international or foreign degrees from colleges or universities outside of the United States must have their coursework evaluated by a professional association that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, INC. (ACEI). A copy of the evaluation must be submitted with your online application.
Accommodations
Applicants who require reasonable accommodation to participate in the selection process should contact Human Resources to make the necessary arrangements. (For more information, see our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equal Employment Opportunities website.)
Discrimination Free Work Environment
Discrimination based on race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation of any person, military and veteran status, or the perception that a person has one or more of these characteristics is illegal and violates Kern Community College District policy.
The Kern CCD Equal Employment Opportunity Plan guides the development, implementation, and monitoring of the District's efforts to foster equal employment opportunities and workplace diversity.
See our Discrimination-Free Work Environment webpage for more information.
Work Authorization
Kern Community College District does not provide sponsorship for authorization to work in the United States. Work authorization should be established at the time of application submission.
E-Verify
The Kern Community College District participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify program to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, please visit e-verify.gov.
Helpful Links
Kern Community College District
Salary Schedules
Job Descriptions
Benefits
Faculty Minimum Qualifications/Equivalency Process
All applicants must apply online at https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/kccd/jobs/5393244/associate-vice-chancellor-human-resources. Emails will not be accepted.
Organization
Kern Community College District (KCCD) serves communities over 24,800 square miles in parts of Kern, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, and San Bernardino counties through the programs of Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso College and Porterville College. Governed by a locally elected Board of Trustees, the district’s colleges offer programs and services that develop student potential and create opportunities for our citizens.
KCCD is geographically one of the largest community college districts in the United States, serving 26,000 students. Our students represent a diversity of religions, economic backgrounds, sexual orientations, abilities, and ethnicities.
While the Kern Community College District was established as a separate entity in 1968 to respond to the changing needs of our communities, educational services have been provided to residents for many years: at Bakersfield College since 1913; at Porterville College since 1927; and in the Ridgecrest area since 1951 by what is now Cerro Coso College. All three colleges are proud members of the California Community College System and are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Today, education centers and sites in Delano, downtown Bakersfield, the Mammoth/ Bishop area, Edwards Air Force, and the Kern River Valley offer additional convenient, localized instruction for thousands of residents. KCCD’s commitment to distance learning and other technological advances is creating increasing opportunities for education through the internet, satellite, and cable television to individuals across our broad service area and beyond.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Kern Community College District is to provide outstanding educational programs and services that are responsive to our diverse students and communities.