Human Resources Analyst I/II - Employee & Labor Relations

The City of Santa Cruz is actively seeking an outstanding Human Resources Analyst I/II for their Employee and Labor Relations division. 

• Conducts professional level confidential activities related to area of assignment.
• Assists in the development and implementation of department or Citywide goals, objectives, policies and procedures; analyzes and recommends strategies to improve effectiveness of operation, such as policy and/or program changes.
• Develops, plans, implements and administers assigned programs.
• Compiles and analyzes data pertaining to personnel program policies and issues; prepares related reports and recommendations.
• Provides information concerning human resources policies, procedures and terms of labor contracts to City staff, other agencies, and the public.
• Assists in creating and distributing a variety of published information, which may include: human resources policies, procedures, terms of labor contracts, brochures, job announcements, advertisements, and other related information.
• Assists in department budget preparation, analysis and administration; monitors expenditures and approves invoices and purchases.
• May supervise and train assigned clerical and technical staff; directs and evaluates the work of assigned staff.
• Utilizes computer software applications to support and conduct activities in area of assignment.
• May plan, develop, coordinate and present training sessions related to area(s) of assignment; may prepare and conduct training classes for City employees.
• May plan, develop, and coordinate employee professional development and engagement programs.
• May represent the Human Resources Department in interdepartmental, interagency and public meetings; serves on committees and task forces as assigned.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

Employee/Labor Relations

• Provides counsel and assistance regarding employee relations matters including performance evaluations, corrective actions, grievance investigations, and negotiation preparation.
• Assists with providing guidance to departments regarding disciplinary actions and termination procedures.
• Conducts special studies for meet and confer purposes.
• Performs cost analysis on negotiation proposals and drafts contract language.
• Conducts preparatory research on contract and bargaining matters for labor negotiations.
• Maintains a good understanding of and interpretation of memoranda of understanding for all bargaining units.
• Conducts exit interviews and compiles related data.

Employee Training and Development Programs

• Manages, plans, coordinates, and may conduct Citywide Training and Employee Development & Engagement Programs including mandated trainings, wellness programs, New Hire Orientation, and succession planning/development
• Analyzes and implements department training needs through surveys or interviews.
• Manages the Citywide Succession Planning initiatives including Mentoring and Job Shadowing.
• Researches, designs, and makes recommendations on new training and development programs including performance evaluation process.
• Selects and schedules instructors and training consultants.
• Evaluates effectiveness of training programs.
• Oversees the development of brochures and training materials and ensures appropriate distribution.
• Develops and disseminates the Citywide training calendar.
• Oversees the maintenance of all records of training activities.
• Provides assistance and counseling to employees on career development.

If assigned to Recruitment and Examination/Classification and Compensation Division

Recruitment and Examination

• Develops, plans, coordinates, and administers the recruitment and examination process.
• Develops recruitment plans and creative outreach techniques to attract a diverse applicant pool.
• Designs and develops job related selection procedures.
• Evaluates and screens employment applications.
• Develops examination schedules and develops, administers and evaluates oral, written, and performance tests, and other assessment instruments.
• Performs statistical analysis of examination results.
• Oversees the preparation of job announcements, employment advertising and other recruitment materials.
• Attends job fairs and other events to publicize City job opportunities.
• Provides information and advice to job applicants and the general public concerning employment opportunities and examination procedures.

Classification and Compensation

• Conducts classification studies, including conducting job analyses by auditing positions by questionnaire and interview, reviews the classification system, recommends the allocation of positions to new or existing classifications; and writes comprehensive classification study reports to include recommendations.
• Prepares and revises classification specifications.
• Responds to compensation and classification survey requests; conducts salary surveys; assists in analyzing salary data and preparing related reports.
• Stays current on FLSA law and its interpretation and acts as subject matter expert.
• Assists departments with classification, position and compensation questions and issues.

If assigned to Benefits, HRIS/Payroll and Workers Compensation Division

Employee Benefits

• Manages and coordinates the employee benefits programs, monitors compliance and makes recommendations based on cost effectiveness and benefit optimization.
• Ensures timely and accurate benefits enrollments including the administration of the annual open enrollment process.
• Assists with education and problem resolution relating to employee benefit questions and issues.
• Researches and writes draft benefit policies.
• Serves as liaison between providers, consultants and the City.
• Develops operating procedures for effective processing of benefit programs.
• Provides assistance to management and employees regarding the retirement process.
• Administers the leave of absences programs, ensuring legal compliance; develops related policies and procedures; educates employees and managers on policy and legal compliance; may coordinate or make recommendations regarding reasonable accommodation requests.
• Administers the tuition reimbursement program.

Human Resources Information System (HRIS)/Payroll Liaison

• Develops, plans, coordinates, administers, and oversees HRIS and payroll processing; develops related policies and procedures; educates employees and managers on policy and legal compliance.
• Serves as liaison between Human Resources Department and Payroll Division; provides counsel and assistance to Payroll Division regarding matters including personnel action forms and memoranda of understanding interpretation.
• Provides oversight, direction and training to Payroll and Human Resources technicians on HRIS and personnel action form processing.
• Troubleshoots and analyses processing and compensation discrepancies/provides corrective recommendations.
• Audits position and pay changes to ensure M.O.U. compliance.
• Serves as liaison between the City and CalPERS including reporting of compensable pay issues and compiling-related data.
• Conducts preparatory research for negotiations and directs implementation of M.O.U. changes in the HRIS/Payroll system and with payroll staff.
• Acts as the subject-matter expert and provides direction and training to departments regarding matters related to HRIS and payroll processing.
• Resolves and responds to the more complex inquiries and complaints from employees arising from interpretations of HRIS and payroll processing.
• Oversees transportation reimbursement program.

Workers Compensation

• Develops, coordinates and administers the City’s Workers’ Compensation program, incorporating existing laws, policies and procedures.
• Develops and assists in negotiating and maintaining a cost-effective workers’ compensation program.
• Reviews workers’ compensation claims and coordinates case management with third party administrator; participates in and facilitates claims investigations; serves as the liaison between the various parties on the claim and in related issues.
• Provides direction and training to City employees, supervisors and managers in workers compensation issues.
• Develops and is responsible for the City’s Return to Work program; assists City departments in addressing light duty and/or permanent modified return to work plans; when applicable, initiates the interactive process with injured workers.
• Reviews disability retirement applications and provides assistance to management and employees regarding the retirement process.
• Facilitates and/or participates in the City-wide Safety Committee as a workers compensation subject matter expert.

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities.  The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard.  Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading written reports and work-related documents.  Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service.   The need to lift, drag and push files, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds also is required.

Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.