UC Santa Barbara ยท 3 days ago
Employee & Labor Relations Specialist
Santa Barbara, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid, Senior Level
$120K/yr - $130K/yr
4+ years expUC Santa Barbara is dedicated to providing exemplary customer service in support of teaching, research, and public service. They are seeking an Employee & Labor Relations Specialist to provide guidance on employee and labor relations matters, resolving complex issues and advising management on performance management and grievance processes.
Hiring Manager
Katherine Abad
Responsibilities
Responsible for administration of, including interpreting and advising on, highly complex collective bargaining agreements
Serves as a subject matter expert on all labor relations issues on campus
Manages grievance and complaint processing per applicable policies and collective bargaining agreements
Responsible for evaluating procedural requirements and merits of allegations, including assessment of timeliness, completion of filing requirements at each step, and coordination of any hearings or arbitrations that may result
Advises management in the investigation of allegations, exploration of resolution options, and preparation of formal response documents
Represents management in all formal procedural stages for fact finding, hearings, arbitrations and matters filed with the California Public Employment Relations Board
Researches and analyzes information related to management's position
Develops management's defense strategy including witness and exhibit preparation, direct and cross-examination, opening and closing statements, drafting of persuasive and legally correct briefs
In some cases, coordinates with campus counsel to retain and manage external counsel in representing management in hearings, arbitrations and PERB matters
Applies labor relations concepts to represent the organization's objectives in bargaining negotiations
Prepares and executes bargaining strategy to reach binding agreements with local and systemwide unions
Represents the campus in system-wide bargaining, recommends strategy on bargaining language and settlement options, and has the authority to commit the organization to system-wide agreements
Represents management in labor management meetings, ensuring follow up on relevant issues and concerns raised by union representatives and employees
Leads local management team in negotiations, building consensus in a collaborative manner among diverse entities, e.g., senior leadership, management, employees and union representatives
Develops management proposals and analyzes union proposals to determine appropriate response
Responds to local and systemwide requests for information, including collection and review of relevant data and records
Collaborates with campus counsel, other University counsel and the Public Records Coordinator in conducting legal analysis of the campus' response requirements and obligations pursuant to applicable state laws
Responsible for analyzing and advising on management's legal and bargaining agreement notice requirements related to proposed changes in terms and conditions within the scope of bargaining
Represents management in any meet and confer/ meet and discuss sessions related to notices of proposed changes
Coordinates campus management of union activities and access, in collaboration with other campus departments
Serves as a subject matter expert on all employee relations issues for campus
Works in a highly collaborative manner with people of diverse cultures and at all levels of the organization to effectively advise organization managers, supervisors and HR business partners on complex labor and employee relations matters, recommending solutions on both individual and organization-wide issues
Applies subject matter expertise to resolve questions, concerns and informal complaints for a large, complex employee population (both represented and policy-covered) in a creative and effective way
Responds to employee relations issues according to state and federal laws as well as applicable University policy and collective bargaining agreements
Ensures that legal and regulatory requirements are met in terms of employee relations to minimize risk and exposure to liability for the organization
Anticipates and identifies complex issues presented by management and/or employees
Analyzes all risks presented and develops recommendations for integrated human resource solutions
Facilitates resolution of employee concerns, including negotiation of formal settlement agreements
Provides expert advice and counsel to administrators, department heads, managers and front-line supervisors on best practices in the workplace, including people management principles, successful change management, improving workplace climate and sustaining employee engagement
Consults and advises on appropriate level of corrective action and progressive discipline to address performance, attendance and/or conduct concerns
Advises on all adverse employment actions including termination for cause, probationary release, management and senior professional release, layoffs and reductions in time, limited release and medical separations
Assists other campus compliance units with complex investigation and multiforum complaints and grievance matters, including Whistleblower/Internal Audit, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX
Coordinates with Office of General Counsel, campus counsel and outside counsel to respond to employment litigation and pre-litigation matters
Assists counsel with all phases of litigation coordination, including development of strategic direction of the case and settlement strategies
Assists with designing, conducting and supporting people management training efforts for staff and faculty to facilitate improved personnel management skills and reduce risk and exposure to liability, particularly in the high risk areas of discrimination, harassment and retaliation
Develops and updates course content to highlight best practices in recruiting and retaining high quality employees
Develops, designs and facilitates training modules on key labor relations topics for supervisors and managers
Conducts management briefing sessions on collective bargaining, including contract and policy interpretation updates
Drafts and edits informational updates on collective bargaining activities and other trends and developments in labor relations
Assists with policy and program planning in Human Resources, including developing, interpreting, monitoring and analyzing information regarding personnel policies and procedures
Evaluates current policies and practices for continued relevance and consistency with governmental laws, regulations and university priorities
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in a related area such as Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Labor Relations, Public Administration, behavioral or social sciences
Required Juris Doctor (JD) degree
4-6 years of directly related, progressively responsible employee and labor relations or HR-related experience or experience as an attorney. Required
Experience as an attorney
Advanced organizational, analytical, and problem solving skills to conduct analysis and develop recommendations
Advanced knowledge of employee relations function and other subject areas of human resources
Strong and effective written and oral communication skills
Demonstrated experience with conflict resolution
Advanced knowledge of functional area and understands how work impacts other areas in Human Resources and the organization
Capable in developing, interpreting, implementing and administering organization-wide human resources policies and processes
Advanced knowledge of labor/employment law, including applicable state and federal laws, court decisions regarding employment related matters and techniques of labor negotiations
Advanced level skills necessary to bargain and represent the University's interest in union negotiations and in complex/sensitive dispute forums
Demonstrated ability to handle extremely difficult or volatile situations/individuals effectively
Demonstrated skills to provide guidance to managers and employees on complex and significant employee relations issues
Demonstrated skills and abilities in leading management in the areas of conflict and change management
Demonstrated ability to exercise excellent judgment in responding to employee relations related requests
Understanding of the principles related to management, supervision and leadership to provide expert level advice and counsel
Preferred
Advanced knowledge of organizational policies and procedures
Advanced knowledge of union/labor contracts
Demonstrated success in leading and administering performance management systems and mentoring managers on the process of evaluating performance
Benefits
Full Benefits
Excellent retirement and health
Company
UC Santa Barbara
UC Santa Barbara is consistently recognized for excellence across broad fields of study.
5001-10000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Dominique Mihaljevic
Co-Founder & President of Association of Multi-Ethnic Persons
Tama Takahashi
Co-founder
Recent News
2025-05-08
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