Employee Relations Manager

The following functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different functions from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. You can view the full job description by click on this link.

Responsible for all services and activities of the Employee Relations Division, including but not limited to labor relations, discipline and employee relations, classification & compensation, EEO/ADA, and employee leaves of absence; manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for assigned programs. recommend and administer policies and procedures.

Lead, plan, train, motivate and evaluate the work of the Employee Relations staff responsible for performing a variety of professional level administrative, technical and analytical duties and responsibilities covering all areas of labor and employee relations, classification and compensation, and leaves of absence. Work with departments and employees to address concerns and implement discipline and termination procedures.

Develop systems to appropriately manage and track deadlines and case status. Plan, direct, assign and review and evaluate the work of the Employee Relations Division; monitor workflow.

Provides direct assistance, serve as a resource, and work directly with all levels of management to address employee relations matters, including but not limited to discipline and termination.

Manage and participate in the development and administration of the Employee Relations Division budget. 

Provide responsible staff assistance to the Human Resources Director/Deputy Director; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.

Participate in researching, analyzing and recommending changes to City and Human Resources Department rules, policies, and procedures.

Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of employee discipline, labor relations, employee benefits administration, harassment and discrimination prevention, employment law, and classification and compensation.

Oversee and evaluate the results of various employment complaints and investigations; develop and approve recommendations for resolution of complaints and allegations.

Participate in labor negotiations regarding wages, hours of work, and other terms and conditions of employment; formulate and implement effective bargaining strategies and techniques; develop and recommend labor agreement language.

Consult with various management staff to develop the City's position concerning union and/or management proposals; oversee implementation of all agreement provisions; recommend impasse resolution strategies and techniques.

Advise as to the appropriate position for the City to take during the steps of the grievance procedure; direct the research and investigation necessary to obtain information required to resolve grievances.

Oversee the preparation and negotiation of letters of understanding to resolve issues that arise during the term of a collective bargaining agreement; facilitate open communications between the unions and management; ensure City meets obligations to notify or bargain with recognized unions of any Citywide changes affecting employees.

Oversee and participate in a variety of organizational and operational studies, investigations, and surveys; assess the City's position in the labor market and identify significant wage, benefit and working condition trends; analyze the appropriateness of current City policies and practices; recommend and implement modifications to programs, policies and procedures as appropriate.

Participate in a variety of litigation matters; consult with internal and external legal counsel on recommended courses of action; represent the City and/or Human Resources in arbitration and/or PERB proceedings.

Oversee the preparation and development of classification and compensation studies, job audits and special projects; provide policy direction and guidance.

Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.Experience and Education: Eight (8) years of increasingly responsible professional human resources administration experience, including five (5) years labor and employee relations experience and three (3) years administrative and/or lead supervisory experience, supplemented by a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in human resources, public administration, business administration, or a related field. Work experience in public sector with labor relations legal consulting may be substituted to meet the human resources administration experience requirement on a year-for-year basis. An equivalent combination of experience and education sufficient to perform the essential job functions and provide the required knowledge and abilities is also qualifying.

Knowledge of: 

• Advanced principles of employee and labor relations, including collective bargaining, contract administration, and grievance handling.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws, including ADA, FEHA, FMLA, CFRA, and EEO regulations.
• Advanced principles of personnel management duties
• Advanced principles of project management and program administration.
• Principles of budget development and resource management.
• Advanced principles of staff supervision, training, and development.
• Thorough working knowledge of public sector HR management and administration.
• Advanced principles of problem identification, analysis, and resolution.
• Principles of effective communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution.

Ability to:  

• Provide strategic leadership and direction.
• Coordinate cost analysis on negotiation proposals; prepare and draft contract language; administer labor agreements and represent the City in labor and management issues.
• Advanced principles of California employment law and labor relations.
• Principles of classification & compensation, personnel investigations, and job evaluation.
• Manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Principles of public sector budget and management.
• Assist and/or lead bargaining processes with the various bargaining units
• Public sector administrative procedures.
• Project management methodologies.
• Statistical analysis and reporting methods.
• Analyze complex problems and recommend solutions.
• Exercise sound judgment in sensitive matters.

License/Certification Required: Possession of an appropriate, valid California driver's license.
Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. The deadline for the first review of applications is on Friday, January 31, 2025 at 5:00PM.  Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applicants that apply after the first review are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review date. 

The selection process will consist of a minimum of skills assesment and oral interview.

The eligibility list established from this recruitment may also be used to fill the current and/or additional vacancies throughout the City.

Candidates must be specific and complete in describing their qualifications for this position.  Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration.  Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.  

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a reference / background check (to include a conviction record) and pass a post-offer pre-employment medical examination (which will include a drug/alcohol screening).  The City of Anaheim utilizes E-Verify and new employees must provide documentation to establish both identity and work authorization.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application.  Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communications by any other method.

Salary : $134,986 - $202,480