San José council confirms Aram Kojunan as director of Human Resources and Office of Employee Relations
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Summary
The council unanimously confirmed Aram Kojunan as the city’s director of Human Resources and director of the Office of Employee Relations. Kojunan is scheduled to assume the role Feb. 18, 2025; staff described his experience in labor relations and public-sector human resources.
San José City Council unanimously confirmed Aram Kojunan as director of the Human Resources Department and director of the Office of Employee Relations, the city announced Tuesday. Kojunan is scheduled to assume the position on Feb. 18, 2025.
Jennifer Shambri (acting director), in a closed-session report to council, said Kojunan will lead about 70 full-time-equivalent employees and a combined annual operating budget the presentation described as approximately $144,000,000. Shambri said Kojunan will oversee five core HR services — employee benefits, employment services, health and safety, training and development, and strategic support — and will lead employee and labor relations, serving as chief labor negotiator for the city’s 12 bargaining units.
Shambri summarized Kojunan’s background: nearly 30 years of human resources, labor and employment law experience; an early career as a private-sector employment law attorney beginning in 1995; public-sector roles with the Los Angeles Unified School District and the City of Los Angeles personnel department; and his most recent service as director of human resources for the City of Berkeley. The presentation said Kojunan holds a Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law; a Master of Arts in English from California State University, Northridge; and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California, Los Angeles. Shambri noted Kojunan is a member of the State Bar of California.
Kojunan addressed the council after the confirmation announcement, describing his personal background and commitment to employment access and equity.
"As I have shared throughout the recruitment and the selection process, mine is an immigrant story… I will be committed to ensuring fair, equitable employment access to all those who are seeking to join the City of San José," Kojunan said.
Council congratulated Kojunan and thanked Acting Director Jennifer Shambri and HR staff for their work during the recruitment. Staff will finalize onboarding and labor relations transition work ahead of Kojunan’s Feb. 18 start date.