Employee Relations Specialist

The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) serves some of Orange County’s most vulnerable student populations and provides support and mandated fiscal oversight to 28 school districts serving more than 600 schools and approximately 475,000 students. In addition to providing direct instruction to students through its own alternative and special education programs, OCDE administers an array of programs and services that are critical to the operations of local school districts and community colleges, facilitating professional development, legal guidance, payroll, career and technical education support, high-speed internet access, Local Control and Accountability Plan assistance and approval, resources for families, and student enrichment. OCDE’s vision is that “Orange County students will lead the nation in college and career readiness and success.” Department staff are working to achieve this goal in collaboration with educators at all levels of student development, from early childhood through higher education, and in partnership with families, businesses and community organizations.

Job Summary

Are you an HR professional who loves diving into data, solving meaningful challenges, and helping people grow? The Orange County Department of Education is looking for a Human Resources Analyst to bring curiosity, energy, and expertise to our team! In this role, you’ll support key HR projects, guide employees and future educators through credentialing pathways, contribute to classification and compensation work, and help build programs that strengthen our educational workforce. If you enjoy variety, thrive in a collaborative environment, and want your work to make a real impact across schools and communities, we’d love to meet you! Key Responsibilities *Support HR strategic initiatives through research, data analysis, reporting, and recommendations. *Assist with classification and compensation activities, including job analyses, salary studies, and job description updates. *Serve as a primary resource for credentialing processes, guiding candidates and certificated staff. *Provide guidance to employees and supervisors on HR policies, procedures, and best practices. *Lead and participate in data-driven HR projects, presenting findings clearly and effectively. *Collaborate with departments on state-mandated reporting and track trends to inform decision-making.

Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: *Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Business Administration, or a related field. *Four (4) years of experience in human resources management, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. *Ability to analyze data, prepare reports, and support decision-making with accuracy and attention to detail. *Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain policies, procedures, and regulations clearly. *Demonstrated ability to interpret laws, codes, contracts, and HR guidelines. *Proven ability to build effective relationships and work collaboratively with diverse groups. *Skill in project management, organization, and problem-solving in a fast-paced environment.