From: [email protected]
To: CityClerk; Karina L. Lafarga; Amanda Angulo; Audrey Malone; Board of Ethics Subject: City of Chula Vista - Board of Ethics Application Date: Friday, June 27, 2025 2:38:03 PM
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A new entry to a form/survey has been submitted.
Form Name: Board of Ethics Application
Date & Time: 06/27/2025 2:37 PM
Response #: 48
Submitter ID: 140288
IP address:
Time to complete: 12 min., 24 sec.
Survey Details
Application for membership on the Board of Ethics
1. Prefix
(o) Mr.
2. Preferred Pronoun
10)
He/Him/His
3. First and Last Name
Gustavo Padilla
4. E-mail
Home Address
6. City
Chula Vista
7. ZIP code
91915
Primary Phone
9. Secondary Phone
Not answered
10. I certify that l am a resident of the City of Chula Vista and at least 18 years of age (o) Yes
11. How long have you been a resident of the City?
15 years
12. Please click here to view the interactive map and verify your District of residency I am a resident of the following City Council district. (0) 3
13. Present employer
Sweetwater Union High School District
14. Occupation
Director of Labor Relations
15. Have you ever been employed by the City of Chula Vista? (o) No
16. If you have worked for the city of Chula Vista please provide the department and dates of employment.
N/A
17. Are you currently serving on a Chula Vista Board/Commission? (0) No
18. Which one(s)?
N/A
19. Have you previously served on a Chula Vista Board/Commission? (0) No
20. Which ones?
N/A
21. Per Chula Vista Municipal Code Section 2.25.030, 1 understand:
-If 1 am currently serving on a board or commission, I must resign from my current board or commission if 1 am appointed.
-I must have served at least 12 months on my current board or commission in order to be appointed to another board or commission.
(o) I have read and acknowledged the above statement.
22. Are you or have you been involved in any local, civic or community groups? (0) Yes
23. Which ones?
We Support U (non-profit)
24. What are your principal areas of interest in our City government, and what experience or special knowledge can you bring to those areas?
I have over 25 years of experience and knowledge in the area of labor relations which will help me quickly understand the areas relating to unethical conduct and therefore make appropriate and informed recommendations to the city council. I have a wealth of knowledge of state and federal laws, rules and regulations, collective bargaining agreements, as well as other legal provisions, that will assist me and the board in understanding complaints and/or violations of the city's code of ethics. With my experience as a hearing officer, and in labor relations, I believe that will be a vital asset in hearing and investigating violations and report to any appropriate authorities within the city of Chula Vista. I have experience in reviewing and proposing language to revise any existing regulatory documents to effectively implement any corrections or changes to ensure compliance of any form.
25. What would you hope to accomplish in the role of a Member of the Board of Ethics? (250 words or less)
I would sincerely hope to bring my knowledge and experience to the board in order to positively work with other board members and make appropriate recommendations and decisions to the city council. As a longtime resident of this city, I would like to contribute and volunteer my time to continue moving the city forward in a productive and positive way.
26. I understand that to be considered, I must submit a resume along with this application.
G. Padilla - Resume L 062625.pdf
27. Do you have any "conflicts of interest" as defined below? As defined in Chula Vista Municipal Code 2.28.050, a "conflict of interest" means the following:
1. The applicant or any of applicant's relatives is or has been an employee of or sought employment from any City official subject to this chapter;
2. The applicant or any of applicant's relatives is or has been supervised in an employment setting by any City official subject to this chapter;
3. The applicant has served in any capacity (including staff member, advisor, or volunteer) involving the election, selection, or appointment of any City official subject to this chapter to any public office (elected or appointed);
4. The applicant has served in any capacity (including staff member, advisor, or volunteer) opposing the election, selection, or appointment of any City official subject to this chapter to any public office (elected or appointed); or
5. The applicant is related to any City official subject to this chapter." (o) No
28. Have you, within the past 10 years, been convicted of any felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or been found to have committed a criminal violation of the Fair Political Practices Act? (0) No
29. The City understands meeting schedules and individual's availability may change. We ask that you consider the meeting schedule when submitting an application. (o) I have reviewed the Board of Ethics regular meeting date, time and frequency.
30. I understand if I am selected to serve on this board or commission / will need to disclose certain economic interests (Form 700) in accordance with the City of Chula Vista's Conflict of Interest Code. (o) I have reviewed the City of Chula Vista's Conflict of Interest Code.
31. (o) I am familiar with the responsibilities of the Board of Ethics. I attest that the information I have provided is accurate and true.
32. (o) I understand that this application and any documents submitted in connection with the application process are public records and may be publicly disclosed.
33. Where did you hear about this vacancy?
(o) City's Website
Thank you,
City of Chula Vista
This is an automated message generated by Granicus. Please do not reply directly to this email.
Gustavo A Padilla
Chula Vista, CA 91915
•
Summary of Qualifications
Experienced labor relations professional with a demonstrated history of working with employees in public K-12 school districts, ommunity colleges, and county offices of education. Has plenty of experience in the area of employee relations and training. Skille n negotiation, collective bargaining, community outreach, project management and labor relations, including high level hearings an discipline cases. Strong community and social services professional.
Education
University of California San Diego (USD) La Jolla, CA
Structural Engineering/General Education September 1993 - June 1995 Employment History
Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) - Chula Vista, CA February 2024 - Present Director of Labor Relations
Manages a range of labor relations and negotiations processes to ensure compliance with district, state and/or federal laws, policies, and regulations
Serves as chief negotiator for the District and hearing officer for grievances processes relationship with labor unions and ensure compliance with all relevant local, state and federal regulations • Communicates with other employees, departments, administrators, and the public to provide assistance concerning District employment, labor relations and negotiations procedures and related legal requirements • Collaborates and provides advice, guidance and direction to all district management team and supervisory personnel in matters related to labor relations, contract implementation, grievance procedures and interpretation administration • Monitors and interprets contract language, Education Code and employment regulations to ensure compliance with district, local, state and federal requirements
• Responds to written and verbal inquiries from a variety of internal and external sources to identify relevant issues and recommend or implement a remediation plan
• Researches information to provide additional information and/or recommendations, to address a variety of labor relations and negotiations requirements
• Manage grievance process and advise all management personnel on the proper application of administrative procedures governing resolution of employee grievances and rights of employee organizations • Participates in meetings (e.g., Board meetings, workshops, seminars, conferences, negotiations, hearings, etc.) to convey and gather information regarding a wide variety of subjects required to carry out their administrative responsibilities California School Employees Association (CSEA) - San Diego, CA Labor Relations Representative/Organizer November 2009 - January 2024 • Represent classified school employees before public agencies and governing boards, administrators, and Personnel Commissions of California school districts, the Public Employment Relations Board relating to representational and unfair labor practices including negotiations and hearings of binding written agreements • Collective bargaining agreements (CBA) enforcement and contract negotiations of salary and fringe benefit programs • Researches, investigates and implements solutions to member and bargaining unit problems • Defends members at disciplinary meetings, hearings, and all steps of the grievance proceedings • Resolves membership concerns relative to conditions of employment, such as payroll, sick leave, holidays, vacation, pension funds, and classifications
• Assists leadership in understanding association programs, including insurance, special services and other benefit programs • Identified potential members at school sites and recruited candidates to train and develop in order to engage them in representation, organizing campaigns and political mobilization • Attended school sites to convert service fee payers to full service members by promoting the advantages of membership • Recruited member volunteers for campaigns, member mobilizing, contract, community, unity building, and assignments • Conducted and developed training at the state level for headquarters/main offices, as well as acted as the point of contact for members, vendors and staff during the length of the training • Managed the registration process during the Statewide Annual Convention to ensure the membership will have a seamless process from the start of the convention
• Worked directly with the community, schools and other unions in order to gain support for different projects and initiatives Area Coordinator for Statewide Project March 2010 - November 2010 • Worked with the community and members we serve in order to engage them in participation for the statewide project initiative • Implemented training plan and acted as lead trainer for the project by training all members, staff and trainers Conducted media outreach in order to distribute information about the project and its status in an effective and efficient manner • Organized and coordinated special events for the project and assisted with the events logistics Project Organizer May 2008 - October 2009
Worked on one specific project at a time in order to execute a high priority project • Enhanced Site Representative Program by visiting school sites and identifying members to recruit/train as site representatives • Conducted Media Outreach by building relationships with the media by engaging in press conferences in the San Diego and Imperial Valley counties
• Managed Political Campaigns by creating awareness with the community and members in order to increase votes and be successful with candidate election
Professional Experience
We Support U - Chula Vista, CA
Race Director September 2014 - February 2020
Responsible for coordinating and managing all aspects of the non-profit annual 5K event Developed outreach plan to identify, recruit, and coordinate volunteers to assist before, during, and after the event Served as the master of ceremonies for the event and as point of contact for sponsors, vendors and participants Managed race budget, expenses, and inventory to identify and monitor goals : Locatity sponsors and developed spansorship packet, as wel as in-kind donations Maintained website information, monitored registrations, and address problems and concerns • Assisted in the development of theme, graphics, marketing, and publicity materials for the event • Developed outreach media plan to promote event
President - Board Member January 2017 - February 2020
Serve as the Chief Executive of WU and preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors • Report to and advise the Board on all significant matters of WU business, and ensure all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect
• Inform of staff performances as related to program objectives and implementation of policies • Responsible for reviewing and administering all financial aspects of the organization Vice President - Board Member December 2015 - January 2017 • Second in command and in the absence of the President perform all the duties and responsibilities as the President • Chair the Program Planning Committee to develop an annual program for the organization's objectives • Engaged in several fundraising activities in order to grow and support the organization's mission • Worked with the community and businesses in order to obtain support and sponsorship or donation (in-kind or monetary) Director - Board Member September 2014 - December 2015
Developed and grow the organization's mission by following its core values and mission statement Outreach to the community and businesses to create volunteer and sponsor opportunities • Researched and created new fundraising opportunities by analyzing the community the organization serves Reviewed and approved new initiatives and activities for the organization American Cancer Society / Relay for Life - Chula Vista, CA September 2015 - July 2016 Event Leadership Team Member
• Attended committee meetings to coordinate a timeline, sponsor opportunities and fundraising events • Participated in many events leading up to the main event in order to raise funds and surpass set goals • Implement different strategies in order to obtain community involvement in the form of volunteers as well as reached out to businesses for sponsorship opportunities
• Promoted event through different channels such as social media, community involvement and media relations as well as worked with other organizations
References
Professional and/or personal references available upon request.