Senior Labor Relations Analyst

SMUD’s People Services and Strategies Department seeks a Senior Employee & Labor Relations Analyst to provide professional and analytical support as well as subject matter expertise on employee and labor relations matters. The Senior Employee & Labor Relations Analyst is a lead contributor that performs a wide variety of duties related to employee and labor relations, such as providing professional guidance, advice, and training on employee and labor relations matters at all levels of the organization; assisting supervisors with employee coaching, performance management, and performance improvement; conducting and supporting fact-finding investigations of potential policy violations; writing defensible investigatory reports; recommending discipline and drafting disciplinary documents; addressing sensitive employee matters; and, serving in a lead role for labor relations with one or more collective bargaining units, including day-to-day contract management, grievance response and resolution, and labor negotiations.

The intent of this job posting is to establish an eligibility list which may be used to fill current and future, permanent and limited-term vacancies for up to two (2) years. You must clearly demonstrate, on your resume, that you possess the knowledge, skills and experience required in the minimum qualifications listed in this posting.

Purpose

Assists the Manager, Labor Relations in the development, coordination, implementation, and administration of labor-management relations policies, procedures, and programs; provides assistance in negotiating with labor unions as well as in grievance resolution efforts; provides ongoing employee relations services to SMUD departments by keeping appropriate managers and supervisors abreast of changes in local Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and personnel procedures.

Nature and Scope

Serves as an advanced journey level resource in a relevant professional discipline; works independently on projects of moderate complexity; exercises independent judgment and discretion; may serve in a Lead role and assist in planning, coordinating, prioritizing, monitoring, and evaluating the work results in assigned area and in selecting, training, motivating, evaluating, and developing lower-level personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities

- Provides analytical data and other information to the Manager, Labor Relations for negotiations with Union representatives in order to reach mutually acceptable agreements on employee wages, benefits, working conditions, and other labor relations issues.

- Represents SMUD management at grievance, disciplinary, and other labor related hearings; may serve as liaison between SMUD management and Union representatives regarding Union/SMUD, M.O.U., grievance, and related employee relations issues.

- Contributes to the completion of Labor Relations goals by developing, implementing, managing, coordinating, and communicating programs that meet SMUD labor relation objectives; plans, implements, and communicates employee relations related programs and training efforts including discipline procedures and practices, Joint Union/Management Cooperative Programs, substance abuse policy, and related programs; confers with supervisor, manager, executives, and others in developing programs and in obtaining appropriate approvals.

- Provides labor relations education to employees and management by coordinating, developing, and providing training on employee relations programs and practices; coordinates training efforts with the Human Resources Department.

- Participates in the maintenance of competitive and cost effective wage and benefit programs; researches, evaluates, and costs various management and union proposals related to employee hours, wages, benefits, and working conditions; makes presentations and provides recommendations to appropriate parties; finalizes contract language after the Manager, Labor Relations has received concurrence/approval from management and unions.

- Provides ongoing assistance to managers and supervisors to ensure equitable and consistent treatment of employees as set forth in MOUs as well as Standard SMUD Policies (SDPs); advises and serves as a resource to managers, supervisors, and employees in all areas of labor and employee relations; interprets MOUs and personnel policies for clients; keeps management and employees abreast of changes in labor contracts, grievance procedures, disciplinary actions, and personnel practices; investigates and recommends solutions to a variety of issues and problems related to labor relations operations.

- Researches, reviews, and analyzes legislation; keeps appropriate management staff apprised of legislation affecting fair labor and discrimination as well as other federal and state laws, codes, and regulations governing employment and employee relations work.

- Performs related duties as required.

Required Education

- A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in human resources, business, psychology/behavioral science, or a related field.

Required Experience Qualifications

- 5+ years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the field of public sector labor/employee relations including experience in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Problem Resolution Counseling.

Knowledge Of

Personnel policies and practices related to employment and employee relations functions; federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and standards related to fair labor and labor relations practices in the public sector; investigative techniques used in labor relations and grievance resolution; negotiation principles and strategies as applied to employee/labor relations; cost analysis methods and techniques used in labor relations work; labor relations administration in civil service environment; project development and administration; basic training methods and techniques.

Skills To

Develop and administer employee relations programs; understand, interpret, and explain laws, regulations, policies, MOUs, and other agreements governing labor relations program operations; collect and analyze data to establish/identify needs, evaluate program effectiveness, and draw logical conclusions; investigate a variety of issues, grievances, and complaints in a timely and sensitive manner; develop, coordinate, and/or provide training to various groups in SMUD; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with people of diverse socio-economic backgrounds and temperaments; deal with others in a tactful and diplomatic manner; interview people to determine root causes of interpersonal conflicts; maintain confidentiality of information; work effectively with others who may have objectives counter to assigned role; analyze legislation impacting employee relations operations; contribute to minimizing labor unrest and disruption by maintaining good working relationships with union representatives; operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

Desirable Qualifications

- Public Sector Experience

- Certification in Labor Relations

- Experience in written Labor Relations work, including disciplinary documents, reports, responding to grievances or appeals

Physical Requirements

Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.

An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.

SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.

Remote Work

This position will be required to work onsite two or three days a week on a regular basis; sometimes more or less, depending on the work and, at times, early mornings or evenings for onsite meetings. And, on a rare occasion, the position may require weekend work.

We recommend you create a SMUD Candidate account through our SMUD Careers page, upload your resume and cover letter to be considered for this and other open position.