Workforce Relations Consultant

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.

UCI Human Resources (HR) serves the UCI enterprise in three distinct business units: Health (Academic Hospitals and Community Network), College of Health Sciences, and Main Campus. UCI HR's vision is to empower people to drive a culture of innovation, learning, and service that requires us to enable the success of individuals within the UCI community and those who aspire to join. The HR enterprise consists of the Partnership for Strategy and Innovation (Partnership), People Services, Health HR, Campus HR, and the Office of the Senior Vice President and Vice Chancellor, Human Resources. The Partnership serves as a strategic center responsible for planning and implementing strategic initiatives across the entire UCI HR enterprise. People Services is a trusted partner in providing administrative support functions that allow the UCI community to focus on their core functions to accomplish the UCI mission of teaching, research, public service, and patient care. Members of the Partnership and People Services work in close collaboration with all three business units to leverage expertise across the enterprise.

https://hr.uci.edu/

As a member of the UCI HR Partnership for Strategy and Innovation (Partnership), and reporting to the Workforce Relations Manager, the Workforce Relations Consultant conducts complex investigations and provides employee and labor relations support to managers and supervisors in order to resolve all levels of issues. 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.

Provides employee and labor relations support to managers and supervisors in order to resolve all levels of issues. Facilitates meetings with union representatives, employees and management in an effort to resolve 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.

May serve as Hearing Officer or management advocate as appropriate Campus, Health Sciences or Medical Center grievances and staff complaints; under the direction of the Director, may be asked to present the University's position verbally and in writing at grievance and arbitration hearings; prepares written analyses and recommendations; writes responses for University management; assists hearing officers or committees with the administrative/grievance review process as necessary. Working with the Director, facilitates settlement of disputes both informally and formally. In consultation with the Director, negotiates and finalizes written settlement agreements in accordance with University policies and procedures.

Independently leads and conducts complex investigations into a variety of employment issues, and writes clear, professional, well reasoned, and comprehensive investigation reports, under the auspices of the HR Lead Investigator, including employee complaints, unlawful workplace activity, bullying or abusive conduct, and violations of UC/UCI policies and procedures in an efficient, thorough and professional manner. Investigates issues raised via the Whistleblower complaints, PPSM 70 complaints, grievances, or other employment issues raised.

Plans and conducts neutral fact-finding investigations. Performs intake interviews. Designs and develops an investigation plan in accordance with University policies and procedures. Interviews relevant parties, including the complainant, the respondent, and all witnesses. Reviews and analyzes evidence, documents, and information. Applies the appropriate standard evidence to the evidence to make determinations of policy violations. Authors detailed, well-written, confidential investigative reports.

Effectively manages investigative caseload and meets deadlines. Communicates timelines with appropriate parties, sharing updates on the process along the way. Tracks investigations with regular reporting to senior management. Identifies trends and alerts management.

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.

Respond to requests for information from outside legal counsel retained by the Office of the General Counsel in preparation of litigation, grievance proceedings, or adjudication. Provide subject matter expertise and expert testimony at depositions, hearings, adjudication proceedings, grievance hearings, and litigation.

Partners with HR Business Partners, as appropriate, to reduce and mitigate employment liability claims and achieve informal resolution wherever possible.

Recognized functional expert who regularly leads employee relations projects of criticality to the organization. Utilizes comprehensive and in-depth employee relations expertise to provide guidance and recommendations regarding strategic direction for the organization. Works on employee relations matters that are the most diverse and complex in scope and where analysis of data and situations requires evaluation of many factors and implications with broad impact on the organization. Develops internal and external contacts often pertaining to organization-wide plans and objectives. Determines methods and procedures on new assignments and functions as a lead with other employee relations professionals. Is considered a subject matter expert of the organization.

Total Compensation

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 $116,000 - $197,150 (Annual).

Required:

• 7-10 years of experience in field of labor and employee relations.
• Experience in working in employee relations with success in early, informal resolution.
• Advanced analytical skills to conduct analysis and develop recommendations, demonstrating organization and problem-solving skills.
• In-depth knowledge of employee relations function and other subject areas of human resources.
• In-depth knowledge of organization policies and procedures; advanced knowledge of functional area and understands how work impacts other areas in Human Resources and the organization.
• Strong knowledge of dispute resolution and grievance procedures and expert knowledge of administering and ensuring adherence to labor / union contracts.
• Exhibits in-depth knowledge of applicable state and federal laws and regulations needed to minimize exposure.
• Capable in developing, interpreting, implementing and administering organization-wide human resources policies and processes.
• Superior written, verbal and presentation skills for presenting and communicating complex information to managers at varying levels in the organization on employee relations issues.
• Demonstrated ability to handle the most difficult or volatile situations / individuals effectively.
• Demonstrated skills to provide guidance to managers and employees on highly complex and significant employee relations issues.
• Demonstrated skills and abilities in conflict and change management.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise excellent judgment in responding to highly complex employee relations related requests.
• Understanding of the principles related to management, supervision and leadership to provide expert level advice and counsel.
• Demonstrated skill in analyzing information, problems, situations, practices and /or procedures to define the problem or objective, identify relevant concerns, identify patterns and relationships, formulate logical and objective conclusions, and recognize alternatives and their implications.
• Interview and/or investigation skills.
• Workplace mediation experience preferred but not required

Preferred:

• Bilingual language skills.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.

Special Conditions:

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

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, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20.

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

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 (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.