Police Human Resources and Labor Relations Division Chief

Police Human Resources and Labor Relations Division Chief

Salary

$109,908.76 - $144,390.48 Annually

Location

Alexandria, VA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026-00319

Department

Alexandria Police Department

Division

ADMIN SERVICES BUREAU

Opening Date

08/06/2026

Closing Date

8/20/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Bargaining Unit

N/A

Max Number of Applicants

100

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

ALEXANDRIA POLICE

HUMAN RESOURCES AND LABOR RELATIONS DIVISION CHIEF

"Preserving the Past, while Innovating our Future!"

The City of Alexandria is located in Northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington, and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Known for its historic character and vibrant waterfront, Alexandria offers a unique blend of rich history and forward-looking opportunity.

We invite qualified candidates to apply for the position of Human Resources and Labor Relations Division Chief with the Alexandria Police Department.

An Overview

Lead. Influence. Strengthen the Workforce Behind Public Safety.

The Alexandria Police Department (APD) is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Human Resources & Labor Relations Division Chief to lead one of the Department's most critical functions-its people. This is a rare opportunity to shape workforce strategy, strengthen organizational performance, and directly support a mission-driven public safety agency operating in a complex, highly regulated, and compliance-driven environment. The Division Chief serves as a key advisor to executive leadership, providing expert guidance on complex personnel matters, labor relations, and workforce strategy. This role directly influences organizational effectiveness, risk management, and the Department's ability to maintain a qualified, ready, and resilient workforce.

The Division Chief oversees a broad and impactful portfolio, including:

• Human resources administration
• Labor relations and grievance management
• Workforce planning and organizational development
• Payroll and leave administration
• Employee wellness, peer support, and resiliency programs
• Recruitment, hiring, and promotional processes

This role operates within a dynamic public safety environment that includes extensive pre-employment screening requirements, accreditation standards, and strict compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The Division Chief is expected to exercise a high level of independent judgment, discretion, and political acumen.

You will lead a high-performing team of five professionals, ensuring consistent, compliant, and service-oriented HR support across the Department.

This position is more than HR leadership; it is mission critical. The Division Chief directly impacts:

• Workforce readiness and staffing stability
• Organizational compliance and risk mitigation
• Employee engagement and retention
• The Department's ability to deliver essential public safety services

What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate is a seasoned HR leader with experience in complex, compliance-driven environments such as law enforcement, public safety, federal, or large municipal organizations. This individual brings both strategic vision and operational expertise, with the ability to lead a comprehensive human resources function that directly supports mission-critical operations.

Core Strengths:

• Deep expertise in human resources management, labor relations, and policy development
• Strong understanding of regulatory and compliance frameworks, including experience navigating high-accountability environments
• Proven ability to lead organizational development, workforce planning, and employee engagement initiatives
• Experience advising senior and executive leadership on complex personnel matters, risk, and workforce strategy
• Exceptional judgment, discretion, and conflict resolution skills in handling sensitive and high-impact issues
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to develop, motivate, and manage staff
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build trust across all levels of the organization
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, mission-critical environment

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to operate with a high degree of independence, political awareness, and sound judgment while balancing organizational needs, compliance requirements, and workforce considerations. A demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and a supportive workplace culture is essential.

The Opportunity - Examples of Work

As Division Chief, you will:

• Lead, direct, and manage all human resources and labor relations functions, ensuring effective, compliant, and service-oriented operations
• Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on personnel matters, workforce strategy, regulatory compliance, and organizational risk
• Oversee labor relations programs, including grievance management, policy interpretation, and representation in formal and informal proceedings
• Assess organizational needs and develop strategies to support workforce planning, staffing stability, and operational priorities
• Lead initiatives to strengthen organizational performance, employee engagement, and workforce development
• Develop, implement, and monitor personnel policies and procedures in alignment with City regulations, Department directives, accreditation standards, and applicable laws
• Conduct organizational assessments, audits, and management studies to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance
• Oversee workforce data analysis, reporting, and planning to support informed decision-making and long-term strategy
• Represent the Department in internal and external forums, exercising sound judgment, diplomacy, and political awareness
• Lead, supervise, and develop Division staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Perform other related duties as assigned

About the Department

The City of Alexandria Police Department is a nationally recognized and accredited law enforcement agency serving a diverse community. Our department is comprised of talented professionals who work in partnership with the community to create and maintain a safe and secure environment for residents, businesses, and visitors. We are a diverse organization that reflects the many cultures of Alexandria and offers a wide range of career and leadership opportunities across operational, administrative, and technical functions.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

A Bachelors degree in Management, Business Administration, Finance, or related field. Six (6) years of experience in human resources, labor relations, employee training, organizational development, budgeting, policy development, etc. Two (2) years of experience in a lead or supervisory capacity. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Human Resources Management, Organizational Development, Psychology, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field
• Professional certification in human resources (e.g., PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or comparable public-sector certification)
• Experience in a law enforcement, public safety, or similarly complex and highly regulated environment
• Demonstrated success leading human resources functions within a complex organization, including workforce planning, labor relations, policy development, and organizational initiatives
• Experience administering collective bargaining agreements and managing labor relations within a unionized environment
• Experience overseeing payroll operations, including FLSA compliance, leave administration, and timekeeping systems
• Experience managing or supporting complex hiring processes, including background investigations and pre-employment screening
• Experience collaborating with senior and executive-level leadership, with the ability to build strong relationships and influence decision-making
• Experience utilizing HRIS, ATS, or data systems to support reporting, compliance tracking, and workforce analytics
• Experience interpreting and applying policies, regulations, and labor agreements in high-accountability environments
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and mentor staff within a diverse and complex organizational environment
• Experience supporting mission-critical operations in a high-accountability environment is highly desirable

Notes

This position requires the successful completion of the following pre-employment background checks:

• Polygraph

• Drug Screen

• Criminal Background Checks (local and federal)

The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.

We are proud to welcome you to explore the City of Alexandrias excellent benefits and programs!

Click here to learn more about Employee Benefits

Click here to learn more about the Citys Employee Development Program

The benefits referenced on this site, may be changed from time to time without notice. Temporary and some part-time positions are not eligible for these benefits. For further information, please contact the Talent Acquisition Team of Human Resources at DHR.TA@alexandriava.gov.

01

I understand that failure to thoroughly and accurately complete the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections on my application and the "Supplemental Questionnaire" will result in my application being rejected. In connection with my application for employment with the Alexandria Police Department, I understand that the Alexandria Police Department will conduct a criminal history background investigation and may request Investigative Consumer Reports. The Alexandria Police Department will consider the information confidential and will use it solely for employment-related purposes. By providing my date of birth and social security number (SSN), I expressly authorize the Alexandria Police Department to perform a background investigation and use the resulting information in conjunction with my application for employment. I further understand that any and all information contained in my application submittals or otherwise disclosed to the Alexandria Police Department may be utilized for the purpose of determining my suitability to work in the Alexandria Police Department. I have read and understand the above information.

02

Public safety positions require a pre-employment check. Please provide your date of birth. Please format as xx-xx-xxxx.

03

Public safety positions require a pre-employment check. Please provide your social security number. Please format as xxx-xx-xxxx.

04

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY OR CLASS 1 OR 2 MISDEMEANOR BY ANY CRIMINAL COURT SINCE THE AGE OF 18 YEARS? Individuals convicted of a felony or class 1 or class 2 misdemeanor are ineligible for certain positions, including ECT, Parking Enforcement Officer, Police Officer and Sheriff.

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have any previous Sworn or Civilian public safety (Police, Sheriff, Fire, Emergency Communications) experience in a law enforcement environment? This could include such positions as Parking Enforcement Officer, Dispatcher, Crime Analyst, etc)

• Yes
• No

06

Are you a United States citizen or have you been a lawful resident of the United States ?

07

Do you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, including: a bachelor's degree in Management, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field; six (6) years of experience in human resources, labor relations, employee training, organizational development, budgeting, or policy development; and at least two (2) years in a lead or supervisory capacity?

• Yes
• No

08

If you do not meet the degree requirement, do you possess an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience? If yes, please describe.

09

How many years of experience do you have in a supervisory or leadership role within a human resources function?

• Less than 2 years
• 2-4 years
• 5-7 years
• 8+ years

10

Which of the following best describes your experience managing labor relations in a unionized environment?

• No experience
• Limited exposure
• Direct experience managing labor relations functions
• Leadership level responsibility overseeing labor relations programs

11

Please briefly describe your experience with labor relations, including your role in collective bargaining agreements, grievance processes, and any leadership responsibilities.

12

Describe your experience working in a compliance-driven or highly regulated environment (e.g., public safety, government, federal, or similar). Include the types of regulations or standards you were responsible for.

13

Describe your experience advising senior or executive leadership on personnel matters, workforce strategy, or organizational risk.

14

Describe your experience managing or supporting complex hiring processes, including high-volume recruitment, extended hiring timelines, or background/pre-employment screening.

15

Describe your experience providing oversight of payroll, leave administration, or timekeeping functions, including ensuring compliance with FLSA or other applicable regulations. Include your role in addressing issues, risks, or discrepancies.

16

What additional skills, experience, or qualifications do you possess that would enhance your ability to serve as the Human Resources & Labor Relations Division Chief for the Alexandria Police Department? Please include any specialized experience not previously addressed (e.g., public safety HR, accreditation, audits, policy development, or organizational initiatives).

Required Question

Employer City of Alexandria

Address City Hall

421 King Street,

Alexandria, Virginia, 22314

Phone 7037463784

Website http://alexandriava.gov/jobs