Workforce Relations Consultant

UCI; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 123,000 - 209,000; Full time

Job summary

UC Irvine seeks an experienced Workforce Relations Consultant to provide expert employee and labor relations support within Human Resources. You will work with managers, supervisors, and HR partners to reduce employment liability and resolve disputes using formal and informal processes.

The role requires deep knowledge of labor relations, policies, and bargaining agreements, with responsibilities spanning grievance handling, settlements, and coordination with counsel.

Qualifications

• Analytical skills to assess cases and provide recommendations.
• Expert knowledge of systemwide, campus and medical center policies.
• Expert knowledge of labor relations and HR processes.
• Understanding of legal requirements to minimize exposure.
• Ability to interpret and administer HR policies across the organization.
• Skilled in bargaining complex issues with significant costs to the university.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert level employee and labor relations support to managers and HR teams.
• Serve as subject matter expert for staff collective bargaining agreements.
• Represent the University in grievances, arbitrations, and related proceedings.
• Prepare analyses, recommendations, and University responses for HR matters.
• Coordinate with Campus Counsel, HR, and other departments on disputes and litigation as needed.
• Facilitate settlements and informally resolve issues; advise on disciplinary actions.
• Support strike contingency planning and respond to requests from counsel or unions.

Skills

Analytical skills

Labor relations knowledge

Policy knowledge

Legal knowledge

Negotiation

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in related area

Juris Doctorate

Job description

Overview

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. To learn more about UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.

The UC Irvine Human Resources (HR) enterprise is comprised of three unique business units: Campus, Health, and Health Sciences. HR's vision is to empower people to drive a culture of innovation, learning, and service that enables the success of individuals within the UCI community and those who aspire to join. https://hr.uci.edu/

Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Senior Director for Workforce Relations, the Workforce Relations Consultant provides expert level employee and labor relations support to managers, supervisors, and various functions within Human Resources. The Workforce Relations Consultant plays an integral role in UCI HR’s goal to reduce and mitigate employment liability claims and achieve informal resolution wherever possible. Serves as the subject matter expert for the UCI’s staff collective bargaining agreements. Represents the University’s interests in the systemwide collective bargaining process. May serve as lead negotiator for local negotiations, including successor negotiations and meet and confer meetings. Represents the University’s interests in grievances, arbitrations, unfair labor practice charges, wage claims, and other staff complaints as needed. Under the direction of the Sr. Director, may be asked to present the University’s position verbally and in writing at grievance and arbitration hearings and/or unfair labor practice conferences/hearings; prepares written analyses, recommendations, and University responses. Working with the Sr. Director, facilitates settlement of disputes both informally and formally. Facilitates meetings with union representatives, employees and management in an effort to resolve all levels of problems. Identifies issues requiring corrective action and provides alternatives for resolution. Assists with formal documentation of disciplinary actions up to and including dismissal. Makes necessary referrals to Life Resources Program, HR Mediation Program for Staff, Disability and Management, Workers’ Compensation as appropriate. Supports strike contingency planning preparedness and response as needed. Coordinates with the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance (including Whistleblower), Office of Campus Counsel, Risk Management, Human Resources, and other UCI departments, as needed. Responds to requests for information from counsel or union organizations related to litigation, grievance proceedings, adjudication, or other matters. Provide subject matter expertise at hearings, adjudication proceedings, grievance hearings, and other litigation as needed. Coordinates with Campus Counsel and/or outside counsel regarding pending litigation matters as needed. Partners with HR Business Partners, as appropriate, to reduce and mitigate employment liability claims and achieve informal resolution wherever possible.

Qualifications

Required:

• Possesses expert analytical skills to conduct analysis and develop recommendations, demonstrating organization and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrates expert knowledge of systemwide, campus and / or medical center policies and procedures; expert knowledge of functional area and understands how work impacts other areas in Human Resources and the system.
• Has expert knowledge of labor relations function and other subject areas of human resources.
• Exhibits expert knowledge of legal requirements needed to minimize exposure.
• In-depth knowledge of other areas in human resources; capable of developing, interpreting, implementing and administering organization-wide human resources policies and processes.
• Demonstrates the expert level skills necessary to bargain complex issues involving significant costs to the university and represents its interests effectively.
• Possesses highly developed skills to provide guidance to managers and employees on complex and significant labor relations issues.
• Demonstrated success in developing and administering performance management systems.
• Demonstrated ability to handle the most difficult or volatile situations / individuals effectively. Demonstrates skills and abilities in conflict and change management.
• Has highly developed written, verbal and presentation skills for presenting and communicating complex information to managers at varying levels in the organization on labor relations issues.
• Has expert knowledge of dispute resolution and grievance procedures and expert knowledge of administering and ensuring adherence to labor / union contracts.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
• 7-10 years of experience in field of labor and employee relations.

Preferred:

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.)

Special Conditions:

• This position may be required to report at different work sites including Irvine, Orange, and other locations. The incumbent must be able to provide their own means of transportation to/from work locations.

Total Rewards

In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.

The expected pay range for this recruitment is $123,000.00- $209,100.00 (Annual).Conditions of Employment:

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:

• Background Check and Live Scan
• Employment Misconduct*
• Legal Right to work in the United States
• Vaccination Policies
• Smoking and Tobacco Policy
• Drug Free Environment

*Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.

• California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
• E-Verify
• Pre-Placement Health Evaluation

Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page - https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php

Closing Statement:

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming. UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].