Principal Employee Relations Analyst

City of Anaheim•Anaheim, CA

About The Position

The City of Anaheim Human Resources Department is seeking a dynamic professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and has a passion about employee and labor relations. The Principal Employee Relations Analyst will lead impactful initiatives, collaborate with and advise City leaders, mentor HR professionals, and serve a trusted advisor on complex workplace matters. The Principal Employee Relations Analyst will possess a strong understanding of labor relations, as well as classification and compensation, including experience in collective bargaining negotiations and labor cost analysis. In addition, this position will perform a full range of employee relations functions, including employee performance management, misconduct and disciplinary investigations, leave administration, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) interactive process administration, and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) compliance. The incumbent may also lead, mentor, and supervise professional and technical staff; advise and consult with management throughout the City on a variety of complex labor and employment matters; and provide advanced professional support to the Employee Relations Manager. The incumbent is considered to be an expert in the field and is expected to exercise a high degree of independent judgement, requiring minimal supervision beyond general policy direction.

Requirements

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional human resources administration experience (preferably in employee relations) including two (2) years of lead and/or 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.
Any equivalent combination of experience and education sufficient to perform the essential job functions and provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.
Advanced principles, practices, operations, and activities of a human resources and employee relations programs, including labor relations, complaint investigation, classification and compensation, employee performance management, and leave administration; supervision and employee development principles and practices; methods of statistical measurement, research and analysis techniques; municipal government organization, functions, and management; labor relations and negotiation processes; public sector employment law; principles and practices of job classification, job analysis, and compensation; principles of performance management and progressive discipline; record keeping, business letter writing and report preparation; principles and practices of customer service; office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications; pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Perform advanced professional, technical and analytical human resources and employee relations work; make complex independent decisions; collect, compile, and analyze statistical information and data; make complete and accurate analysis, reports, and recommendations; understand and assess needs and strengths of others; maintain confidentiality of private or sensitive information; understand, interpret, and apply complex administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as applicable Federal, State, and local policies, laws, and regulations and Memoranda of Understanding; lead and supervise others; prepare and conduct presentations and training; understand the organization and operation of the City; plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines; operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications; respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, City staff, or other agencies on sensitive issues in area of responsibility; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Possession of an appropriate, valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Municipal or public sector experience.
Extensive experience in public sector labor relations, including collective bargaining, contract interpretation, and grievance administration.
Strong classification and compensation experience.
Experience conducting and managing complex workplace investigations.
Advanced knowledge of California employment laws and regulations affecting public agencies.
Master's Degree or Juris Doctor (JD) is highly desirable.
Strong leadership, project management, and interpersonal skills.
PHR, SPHR, or CLRM Certification highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Coordinate the organization, staffing, and operational activities of one or more employee relations programs, including collective bargaining and labor agreements, employee performance management and progressive discipline, classification and compensation, EEO/ADA administration and investigations, and leave administration.
Conduct analysis and provide recommendations and/or training on disciplinary procedures and standards of progressive discipline, contract interpretation, grievances, personnel rules, labor law, and related personnel issues; resolve grievances through formal and informal procedures between employee organization and management; provide consultation to executive level managers on complex organizational and personnel performance issues and problem.
Respond to complaints and charges; conduct and/or oversee investigations.
Administer and participate in difficult and complex labor negotiations in order to establish wages, benefits, and terms and conditions of employment; participate in the development and presentation of strategies and proposals for labor negotiations, including preparation of management and labor proposals and counterproposals.
Prepare, analyze, and maintain a variety of records, reports, studies, documents and statistical findings; draft Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs); draft ordinances, resolutions, policy statements, and administrative instruction to implement terms of the MOUs.
Negotiate, develop, and monitor professional service contracts; assist in the preparation of department budget; develop and prepare financial reports.
Interpret and apply labor contracts and resolutions to workplace issues.
Provide advocacy and represent the City on labor relations matters.
Establish highly effective working relationships with clients, employees and union representatives on employee relations issues.
Participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities; recommend and implement resulting policies and procedures.
Identify opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures; identify resource needs; review with appropriate management staff; implement improvements.
Direct, coordinate, and review the work plan for assigned employee relations programs and activities; assign work activities and projects; monitor work flow; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems.
Develop and facilitate city-wide training programs; conduct needs assessments to identify citywide and department-specific training needs; conduct formal training sessions and act as course instructor; assess training effectiveness and modify training programs as needed.
Coordinate assigned activities with those of those of other divisions and outside agencies and organizations.
Oversee the research and development of new City policies, administrative regulations, and personnel rules; oversee the preparation of resolutions and motions for City Council adoption; prepare and present staff reports and other correspondence as appropriate.
Attend and participate in professional group meetings; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the field of employee relations and human resources administration; incorporate new developments as appropriate into programs.
Perform related duties as required.