Job Details

Director, Human Resources – Santa Barbara Unified School District

Start Date: As soon as the qualified candidate is available, latest start date July 1, 2026

Reports to: Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources

Salary Schedule Range: 23A (Classified Management Salary Schedule) $165,166 - $184,693, depending on experience

Benefits: Eligible to participate in District health, vision, dental and term life insurance.

Employment Status: Full-time (FLSA Exempt)

Location: District Administration

Purpose of Position

Under the general direction of the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, to lead, plan and supervise the Human Resources Department and certificated personnel services. The Director leads day‑to‑day operations and manages people and processes. The Director synthesizes laws and policies and creates accountability systems to ensure compliance and completion.

Essential Functions

• Maintains a high knowledge of software management systems in the District as it relates to Human Resources functions and how those functions are interdependent with other departments.
• Leads and seeks out transformation of Human Resources Services by integrating technologies into department functions.
• Leads and maintains a culture of customer service within the Human Resources Department.
• Leads the Human Resources Department in the area of collaboration and teamwork, important for interdepartmental relations.
• Conducts investigations in employee workplace complaints.
• Develops and maintains a quality evaluation process for certificated staff.
• Supervision and evaluation of HR office staff.
• Establishes and maintains the District's certificated personnel records.
• Prepares offers of employment for certificated and management personnel.
• Communicates with management regarding requirements of certificated positions, administers federal guidelines for credential requirements and maintenance and monitoring of credentials.
• Evaluates transcripts and records of certificated staff to determine eligibility for credentials, permits and waivers; notifies employees regarding needed information such as transcripts or other appropriate documentation; maintains record of college units earned for proper placement on salary schedule.
• Prepares annual contracts for teachers and administrative staff.
• Communicates with principals and other administrators regarding staffing ratios.
• Responsible for determining District staffing levels and coordinating this with Fiscal Services for budget development.
• Maintains current lists of all certificated personnel, including valid credentials, teaching assignments and seniority lists, for various District and State needs.
• Keeps abreast of education codes and new laws pertaining to certificated employees.
• Conducts research in matters concerning budget, staffing and collective bargaining.
• Participates in employer‑employee relation activities; gathers and analyzes data; makes confidential recommendations to management negotiators on employee grievances and contract language.
• Serves as a liaison between the district and Department of Justice fingerprint recording requirements.
• Counsels certificated employees regarding retirement questions.
• Supervises the review of certificated applications, determining disposition of same, including determination of interviews for potential certificated staff for the district.
• Supervises the preparation of job flyers for certificated positions and brochures for management positions.
• Prepares summer school job announcements and organizes data relevant to filing certificated summer school assignments.
• Supervises the substitute teacher program, including supervisor of substitute callers.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• Physical agility to sit, stand, kneel, walk, push/pull, twist, turn, bend, stoop and to reach above the shoulders, and horizontally to retrieve files for extended periods of time.
• Possess manual dexterity.
• Visual ability to read a computer screen and printed matter with or without vision aids.
• Hearing sufficient to communicate in person and hold telephone conversations at normal levels.
• Speaking ability in an understandable voice with sufficient volume.
• Mental acuity to interpret and evaluate data, define issues, draw conclusions, and make valid judgments and decisions.
• Physical mobility sufficient to move about the office and school environments for sustained periods of time.
• Drive a vehicle to conduct work.

Abilities And Knowledge

• To establish rapport and work constructively with staff, students, parents, and community members.
• Ability to carry out a vision of positive workplace culture.
• Ability to create accountability systems and make organizational decisions.
• Ability to manage conflict with exceptional mediation skills.
• Ability to exercise good judgement in difficult situations.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of employee relations and positive employee characteristics.
• Demonstrate exceptional customer service skills.
• Understanding of the growth mindset approach.
• Understanding and working knowledge of budgeting.

Required Qualifications

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university and at least three (3) years of work experience in human resources management or public personnel administration, preferably public sector human resources experience.

Experience leading an organization and managing people and programs through change initiatives.

Qualified to conduct workplace investigations on behalf of the District.