University of California, Santa Cruz hiring Employee Relations Specialist in Santa Cruz County, CA | LinkedIn (2024)

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The IRD for this job is: 02-19-2024About Uc Santa CruzUC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

Department OverviewStaff Human Resources (SHR) is dedicated to building a strong and healthy university by propelling the university mission, engaging and developing people, empowering our campus partners, building trust and teamwork and providing excellent Human Resource services. SHR is responsible for providing leadership to the campus and Staff Human resources (SHR), in the areas of Benefits, Business Administration, Compensation/Classification, HR Business systems, Learning & Development, Talent Acquisition and Employee & Labor Relations. Employee & Labor Relations serves as a professional resource to managers, supervisors and employees for work related issues, serves as a liaison to campus labor unions, and represents the campus in employment matters.

More information can be found at: https://shr.ucsc.edu/elr/

Job SummaryUnder general supervision of the Employee Relations Manager or designee, the Senior Employee Relations Analyst independently provides professional analysis, consultation, coaching and training to campus clients on organizational development, strategic planning, policy and regulatory compliance, interpretation and application of labor contracts, and resolution of workplace problems. Works collaboratively to establish effective working relationships with clients, campus constituents, and union representatives. Provides campus advocacy and representation on employee and/or labor relations matters with a focus on employee relations.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATIONBudgeted Salary: $89,350 - $100,000/annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.

Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Scotts Valley Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: EMPLOYEE REL REPR 3 (007744)

Travel: Up to 25% time

Job Duties90% - Analysis and Consultation

• Ensure compliance with contractual, legal, and regulatory requirements, and in collaboration with all levels of the organization, apply employee relations skills, knowledge, policies and procedures to resolve a variety of complex employee relations issues.
• Advise, coach, and counsel campus stakeholders on employee relations relating to departmental and campus wide issues including: recommending, managing, and mitigating liability in: low to high risk performance management, complex formal and informal complaint resolution, complex organizational change/development, workplace climate, interpersonal conflict, complex investigations, and conduct highly sensitive termination interviews and actions.
• Provide advice and counsel to assigned client groups according to established human resources and employee relations policies and procedures, and often in consultation and collaboration with Title IX, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI), Campus Counsel, Behavior Intervention Team (BIT), etc. May provide information in response to complex Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charges and claims.
• Advise on the interpretation, implementation, and application of Federal/State/system/collective bargaining agreements, policies, procedures, legislation, and initiatives.
• Prioritize work assignments, conducts analyses of employee relations issues and trends, and develops resulting recommendations.
• Review and analyzes a variety of human resources issues, e.g., policy revision proposals, internal procedures and practices.
• Manage sensitive and confidential information in an appropriate manner.
• Work in a highly collaborative manner to establish effective working relationships with clients and constituents from diverse backgrounds.
• Establish and maintain effective employee and labor-management relations.
• Advise and coach managers and supervisors in fostering and maintaining a work place climate that is inclusive, welcoming, supportive, and free from discrimination.
• Assist ELR Director or designee and campus senior management to develop settlement options and to negotiate final settlement terms.
• Work with campus management and employee representatives (union business agents, shop stewards, attorneys) as needed to resolve informal complaints.

10% - HR Support, Projects and Training

• Advise clients on highly complex organizational development from inception to implementation. Provide guidance and risk assessment on re-organizations, departmental restructures, and work-force planning.
• Participate in work groups and projects in support of the Employee and Labor Relations unit, Staff Human Resources, campus-wide and divisional initiatives that support creative problem solving, continuous improvement, planning and implementation of programs and change efforts.
• Serve as liaison between client base, Staff Human Resources, and campus entities to support departments in administering Employee and Labor Relations, Staff Human Resources, and campus programs and personnel actions.
• Assist with the planning and delivering customized presentations to build and develop skills of staff and management. Train on topics associated with campus programs, collective bargaining agreements, policies, procedures, and best practices.
• May be required to travel to attend client meetings and mandatory training both on-campus and off-site
• Participate in special projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience and/or training.
• Experience in researching and summarizing information from a wide variety of policies, regulations, and other sources to clearly present alternatives and risks
• Experience providing employee relations related support to assigned client groups
• Experience with conflict resolution
• Thorough knowledge of employee relations practices and programs
• Thorough knowledge of other areas of Human Resources, such as Talent Acquisition, Compensation and Benefits
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills with the ability to find and recommend solutions
• Effective oral communication skills with the ability to actively listen
• Effective written communication skills with the ability to prepare concise, persuasive, and grammatically correct material
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with people from diverse ethnic, socio-economic, professional and educational backgrounds
• Demonstrated ability to handle difficult or volatile situations / individuals effectively
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain a high degree of accuracy
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and productively within a strong team environment
• Demonstrated ability to complete assignments independently
• Strong command of current desktop technology to create professional documents, spreadsheets, and reports
• Demonstrated ability to exercise judgement and discretion in handling sensitive and/or confidential issues and/or information

Preferred Qualifications

• California Public Employers Labor Relations Association (CALPELRA), Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and/or certificate in alternative dispute resolution.
• Knowledge of public labor laws and regulations in a unionized environment with exclusive and non-exclusive representation
• Thorough knowledge of union / labor contracts
• Experience in higher education
• Experience interpreting and analyzing policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements, state and federal laws, and applicable court decisions.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate has the option to work a hybrid work schedule. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• This position requires the ability to report to campus to work in-person as operationally required, with reasonable notice as determined by your manager; travel expenses not covered.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here .

SAFETY STATEMENTAll UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

EEO/AAUniversity of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination